Academic Lecture Bei Ju
On June 6th, the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University organized a successful academic lecture titled The Border-crossing of Mainland Chinese Low-Skilled Workers in Macao. The lecture was delivered by Bei Ju (Jenny), a lecturer in Intercultural Communication at the University of Manchester. The event was hosted by Sara Ganassin, Foreign Acting Director of the Confucius Institute at Newcastle University. The lecture attracted participation from teachers and students interested in cross-cultural communication from both Newcastle University and the University of Manchester.
Bei Ju, known for her expertise in the nexus between ICTs (Information and Communication Technologies), and migration within intercultural communication, was an assistant professor at the Macao University of Science and Technology, and a researcher and outreach officer at the United Nations University Institute in Macao.
During the lecture, Bei Ju discussed key concepts such as the Cross-cultural Adaptation Model, Cultural Fusion Theory and Differential Adaptation. She examined how these factors impact the adaptation process of mainland Chinese low-skilled migrants in Macao, including cultural acquisition, adaptation, and the formation of cross-cultural identity. Additionally, she highlighted the crucial role of social media, specifically, WeChat, in social interaction, information access, and, in some cases, economic opportunities for migrants in the digital era. The aim of the research is to raise awareness and support for mainland Chinese labor migrants, promoting their cultural adaptation and acceptance within the local community.
Following the lecture, an engaging discussion took place among the attendees, including faculty members and students. Participants appreciated the innovative and practical significance of the research, particularly the examination of how WeChat localization affects the transnational lives of migrants. The discussion provided valuable insights and left the participants with thought-provoking perspectives.
