Interview with Dr. Ao Peng Kong: From Construction Site to President—A Civil Engineering Journey Built Step by Step
專訪區秉光博士：一步一腳印的歷練，從工地到主席的土木人生

Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at the University of Macau (UM) is about to undergo a historic restructuring—starting from AY2026/2027, it will officially split into three independent faculties—Faculty of Information Science and Computing, Faculty of Engineering, and Faculty of Science. At this pivotal moment of transition and renewal, we are honored to interview Dr. Ao Peng Kong, who earned his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from FST in 1997 and his PhD degree in 2007, and currently serves as President of the Board of Directors of the Civil Engineering Laboratory of Macau (LECM). Dr. Ao shares his journey from a site engineer to the pinnacle of his career and offers valuable guidance to young students.

UM Studies: A Transformation from Professional Depth to Intellectual Breadth

Dr. Ao Peng Kong’s career began at the frontline of construction sites. After graduating from university, he started as a resident site engineer and joined LECM as a laboratory technician. Through successive promotions from engineer to division head to department director, he now serves as President of the Board of Directors of LECM since 2003. Since the 1980s, he has actively participated in major construction projects in Macau, focusing on technical supervision, engineering consultancy, and management, dedicated to enhancing the standards of engineering technology and quality oversight in Macau. In 2012, he was awarded the Medal of Merit – Professional by the Macao SAR Government in recognition of his outstanding contributions. This journey from the grassroots to the summit testifies to his decades of unwavering perseverance and dedication.

When discussing the impact of FST’s education on his career, Dr. Ao emphasized the profound influence of graduate studies. He obtained his Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Civil Engineering from UM in 1997 and 2007, respectively. He candidly shared that his decision to pursue further studies stemmed from practical work needs, as he recognized that the work at LECM was highly specialized and required solid theoretical support. Graduate studies brought a fundamental shift in his thinking: “The graduate experience enabled me to understand my work from a higher and deeper perspective. It was a process of proactive learning, proactively identifying research topics, and proactively discovering my own shortcomings.” This training in independent inquiry laid a solid foundation for him to tackle complex professional and managerial challenges in the years ahead.

Lifelong Learning: Driven by Both Interest and Necessity

When asked why he persisted in continuous learning, Dr. Ao’s answer was concise and powerful: “First is interest, second is necessity.” He explained that interest drove him to learn and do more, while work requirements provided the motivation for continuous breakthroughs. “When I graduated from university and worked in the construction industry, I primarily followed established procedures. However, during my Master’s and PhD studies, independent research empowered me to solve complex technical challenges and address management issues.” As his position advanced, Dr. Ao’s scope of work extended far beyond frontline construction. “At my current position, beyond geotechnical engineering and pile foundations, I also need to study structural issues—such as bridge structures and materials—and even the management and legal aspects of LECM, such as our institutional accreditation work, which requires legal support.” This cross-disciplinary knowledge demand prompted him to continue his studies, eventually earning a Master’s degree in Law from the Macau University of Science and Technology, becoming his fourth academic degree.

The Path to Success: “One Destination, Many Routes”

To the younger generation of UM students, Dr. Ao offered the wisdom: “歸元無二路，方便有多門” (One destination, many routes). He explained, “If you want to achieve something—improve yourself, study hard, and reach your life goals—everyone should set their own objectives. But there are many convenient paths to accomplish them.” He encouraged young people to understand themselves, and only by recognizing their interests, abilities, and goals can they find their own way. With down-to-earth perseverance, everyone will naturally forge their own path to success.

Faculty Restructuring: An Inevitable Trend and Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Regarding the significant change of restructuring FST into three separate faculties, Dr. Ao expressed strong approval: “Dividing one faculty into three is an inevitable trend.” He believes that as disciplines become increasingly specialized, more refined division of labor allows talent to focus more deeply on their respective fields—this is the natural direction of professional development.

At the same time, he emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. “In the engineering field, we must have a strong foundation in science—physics, chemistry, and mathematics are essential. We also use a great deal of information technology, such as using drones to inspect bridges and employing electronic instruments—all of which are interconnected.” Breakthroughs in specialized fields often require cross-disciplinary insight.

Greater Bay Area Opportunities: Breaking Spatial Constraints, Integrating into National Development

Dr. Ao believes that the University’s focus on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Hengqin is a crucial step in overcoming Macau’s spatial limitations and integrating into national development. He is optimistic that enhanced connectivity between Macau and mainland China will bring new opportunities for academic and talent collaboration. The restructuring of FST exemplifies Macau’s commitment to advancing cutting-edge technology applications and serving national and regional development. On the other hand, he also encourages UM students to maintain a broad vision while striving for excellence in their specialized fields, as true innovation often emerges at the intersection of disciplines.

From the frontline of construction sites to President of the Board of Directors of LECM, Dr. Ao Peng Kong’s journey embodies a simple yet powerful truth: with down-to-earth dedication, continuous learning, and clear direction, everyone can forge their own path to success.