UM student crowned champion at World Universities Public Speaking Invitational Championship held at UM
MACAU, August 29 - In celebration of its 45th anniversary, the University of Macau (UM) hosted the World Universities Public Speaking Invitational Championship 2026 today (29 August). The event brought together students from 26 leading institutions worldwide, including Peking University, Tsinghua University, the University of Oxford, Stanford University, and Harvard University. UM student Edward Daniel Belza Alfaro won the championship with exceptional public speaking skills.
The contestants represented members of the C9 League+, including Fudan University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Nanjing University, Peking University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tsinghua University, the University of Science and Technology of China, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Zhejiang University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the University of Hong Kong, and UM. Contestants also came from leading universities across Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America, including the University of Oxford (UK), Stanford University (US), Harvard University (US), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), the University of Melbourne (Australia), the University of British Columbia (Canada), KU Leuven (Belgium), the University of Manchester (UK), Korea University (South Korea), the University of Cologne (Germany), the University of Malaya (Malaysia), Auckland University of Technology (New Zealand), and the University of Lisbon (Portugal).
Edward Daniel Belza Alfaro from UM was crowned champion. Emily Zhang from the University of Oxford was the first runner-up and Rasee Kachchakaduge from the University of British Columbia was the second runner-up. Tin Chi Bill Koo from Nanyang Technological University, Liaying Rebeca Avendaño Chin from Zhejiang University, and Yilin Liu from Fudan University received an honourable mention.
In his opening remarks, Yonghua Song, rector of UM, mentioned the university’s vision of positioning itself as a university with firm roots in Macao, while at the same time being committed to contributing to the development of the Greater Bay Area, integrating with the nation, and going global. He also highlighted its commitment to cultivating talent with a global outlook and a sense of social responsibility. He added that the championship’s theme aligns closely with the university’s mission and expressed hope that the 26 contestants would broaden their vision, form friendships, and reflect on how technology, culture, and innovation can work together to build a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Under the theme ‘Fostering Culture and Diversity Through Technology’, the championship explored how technology can connect diverse cultures, foster inclusivity, and drive global sustainable development from a youth perspective. The contestants’ speeches combined theoretical analysis with real-world relevance, showcasing young people’s perspectives and innovative ideas on how technology can contribute to social development. As one of the events celebrating UM’s 45th anniversary, the championship provided a high-level platform for young people from around the world, enabling students from diverse cultural backgrounds to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and build connections. The event also reflected UM’s commitment to promoting internationalisation and cultivating global talent, while strengthening cooperation and ties with leading universities worldwide, injecting new momentum into mutual learning between civilisations and youth exchange.
In addition, UM hosted two public speaking workshops titled ‘How to Tell Engaging Stories’ and ‘Speak with Confidence, Not Perfection: Managing Nerves in High-Stakes Moments’. The workshops attracted active participation from secondary school students and teachers in Macao, as well as members of UM.
Guests attending the championship included Chan Iok Wai, head of the Department of Students of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of the Macao SAR government; Mok Kai Meng, vice rector of UM; Paul Pang, dean of students of UM; and college masters of UM’s residential colleges.
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