Biomedicine student from Portugal sees vast career opportunities, cultural vibrancy in Macao

Stephanie Andaluz, a PhD candidate from Portugal pursuing studies in biomedicine at the University of Macau, has lauded China's Greater Bay Area as a thriving and diverse area where aspiring scientists can take part in cutting-edge projects.

In a video released by China Global Television Network, Andaluz described China's Macao Special Administrative Region as an excellent place to live, study and work.

"I decided to come to study here because there is this growing reputation of Macao and investments in the Greater Bay Area around science and technology, which is actually my field," said the young scholar, whose full name is Stephanie Rachell Andaluz Almandoz Ramos.

After living in Macao for two and a half years, Andaluz has integrated with the local culture and has even adopted the Chinese name Song Qingshi. Adding to her experience, studying in the city has introduced her people of many different cultural backgrounds.

"I think that the educational and cultural environment here in Macao is pretty good, especially the University of Macau, who provides full education in English, which is foreigner-friendly for us, and allows us to have a more integrated space for studying. I think that it's a really unique and vibrant and really diverse to find all the different backgrounds that we have here. This is the blend of the Chinese and Portuguese culture that we can find here that makes the experience of studying in Macao really interesting and vibrant," she said.

Andaluz said she plans to stay and work in Macao after completing her studies because the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area has brought great opportunities for science and technology professionals.

"I'm considering working perhaps in Macao (or the) Greater Bay Area, after finishing my studies. As I can see there's full opportunities here. I think that the development of the Greater Bay Area actually has brought enormous opportunities to Macao, including the enhanced connectivity and the access to a larger talent pool. This is that collaboration in research and innovation has brought the best of each one of these regions and everything just plain in one big area, which actually aligns perfectly with my future goals and aspirations in my career," she said.

"I think that everyone who actually wants to know more about the Greater Bay Area and wants to come to Macao or any other of these cities, will find that there are many things to explore. There's a lot of collaboration that you can be doing and actually fulfill your desires because you can stay just in one place, you can actually go through these different regions and find what is the best in each one of them. Eventually you can do some collaboration research, you can use some cooperation in industry that will level up your work. If you are interested in Macao [you will] find that you will be more than welcome here and you will enjoy the experience of living in China where the West and the East meet together," Andaluz said.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the return of Macao, which had been under centuries of Portuguese rule, to its motherland China.

Biomedicine student from Portugal sees vast career opportunities, cultural vibrancy in Macao

A panda family of four in Macao has won the hearts of an increasing number of people with their fluffy appearance and adorable behaviors, attracting 290,000 visitors last year.

A pair of giant pandas Kaikai and Xinxin were chosen as a gift of the central government to the Macao Special Administrative Region in 2015. They gave birth to twin brothers Jianjian and Kangkang in Macao in 2016. The panda family is now living a happy and leisured life.

"This is our Kangkang, the younger twin. He's a little smaller in size and has a more pointed face, just like his dad Kaikai. He's also very smart and always gains affection of his breeders by acting in a cutesy manner," said a panda caretaker.

In the panda pavilion, Macao's Seac Pai Van Park, the panda family receives attentive care from their zoo keepers. They enjoy fresh local bamboo, fruit, and high-fiber biscuits every day, with special fruit and bamboo cakes on their birthdays.

"They're actually quite familiar with us. Since they're now adult pandas, we can't interact with them the same way we did when they were younger, like being in the same space. However, we still have regular interactions, such as touching them safely, which they seem to enjoy. Sometimes we clean biscuit crumbs off their mouth or nose. This helps them get used to our voices and smells, building their trust in us, which makes it easier to carry out medical checks for them," said the caretaker.

As the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China draws near, an increasing number of locals are visiting the park to see the panda family, wishing for them to thrive in Macao and bring even more happiness to the people, just as their names suggest.

Giant pandas in Macao capture hearts of visitors

Giant pandas in Macao capture hearts of visitors