To promote the deep integration of theory and practice, broaden students’ industry perspectives, and enhance their professional application skills, Professor Li Xin, Head of Department of Decision Sciences of School of Business (MSB) at Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST), led 30 undergraduate and postgraduate students on field visits to Macau International Airport Company Limited (CAM) and the M8 Urban Renewal Project of China Construction Engineering (Macau) Company Limited (CCEM) on the morning of 28 October 2026. With the warm reception and robust support of both enterprises, the students gained firsthand exposure to aviation operations and urban renewal practices, reinforced their academic knowledge, gained insights into industry developments, and achieved valuable learning outcomes.
During the visit to Macau International Airport (MIA), staff members from CAM introduced the airport’s end-to-end operational processes, covering terminal passenger services, flight scheduling and dispatch, logistics and cargo transfer systems, safety control mechanisms, and digitalized operational management. The session provided a comprehensive overview of the operational logic and management framework behind MIA’s role as a regional aviation hub. Drawing on knowledge acquired in classrooms such as operations management, supply chain optimization, and service management, students actively engaged in discussions and raised questions on topics including passenger peak-flow management and emergency response systems. The lively and practical interactions enabled students to move beyond textbook concepts and gain firsthand insights into the operational decision-making processes behind the operation of a large-scale transportation hub, fostering a more concrete understanding of the practical application of professional knowledge.
Group photo of the faculty and students at Macau International Airport
The faculty and students subsequently visited CCEM Macau M8 Urban Renewal Project. During the visit, Project Director Zhan Xiaotong introduced the project’s design philosophy, architectural features, and numerous industry accolades. Drawing on practical project experiences, he also provided an in-depth overview of the background, policy directions, and latest developments of urban renewal initiatives in Macau. As a landmark project for urban revitalization and commercial renewal in Macau, M8 not only preserves the cultural heritage of the historic district, but also incorporates modern commercial operational concepts. Its innovative approaches to spatial planning, business integration, sustainable development, and community value creation provided students with vivid example of the close interplay between business decision-making and urban development. Through site visit and on-site teaching, students gained fresh perspectives on the business logic and social responsibilities involved in urban renewal. Throughout the visit, students listened attentively, examined the exhibition materials in detail, and actively engaged in discussions on project operations and urban revitalization strategies, creating an enthusiastic atmosphere of interaction and learning.
Group photo of faculty and students at CCEM Macau M8 Urban Renewal Project
Project Director Zhan Xiaotong introduced the project overview
This corporate field visit represents an important initiative by MSB in building a holistic educational framework that integrates classroom learning with industry-based experiential study. Centered on student development, MSB continues to break through traditional classroom boundaries by fostering university-industry collaboration platforms, encouraging students to step beyond the classroom and engage directly with industry. Through exposure to real-world business environments, students can strengthen professional competencies, broaden industry perspectives, and accumulate practical experience, thereby supporting their overall development. Students remarked that the face-to-face interactions with industry professionals and immersive on-site observation not only deepened their understanding of key concepts such as operations management and business decision-making, but also gained a more direct appreciation of the vitality of Macau’s local industries, providing clearer direction for their future studies and career planning.
Looking ahead, MSB will continue to enhance its practice-oriented education model by offering more high-quality industry visits and experiential learning opportunities. MSB aims to support students’ comprehensive development and cultivate high-quality business professionals equipped with both strong theoretical foundations and practical capabilities, contributing to the development of Macau and the Greater Bay Area.
(Contributed and reviewed by Professor Li Xin, format reviewed by Helen Kam)
