Four new student-run shops have opened on the University of Macau’s (UM) campus. UM launched these shops to give students an opportunity to learn how to run a business and to provide more choices and convenience for UM members. Student founders say that running a shop on campus helps them put their knowledge into practice and increases their sense of belonging to the university.
The shop of Creatist – a brand for UM souvenirs – is located in the University Gallery (E1). The brand was co-founded by six UM students. ‘We’ve encountered various problems in organisation, management, and promotion,’ says a co-founder surnamed Lai. ‘Despite these problems, we will work hard to launch more UM souvenirs for students to increase their sense of belonging to the university.’ Another student-run shop, Umake, is located in the Sports Complex (N8). Handmade postcards are Umake’s main products but it also sells light snacks. The founder surnamed Cai, who is a student from the Faculty of Business Administration, says: ‘I have talked to some senior students and friends who have opened a shop before and learned a lot from them.’
On The Run is another student-run shop at UM. In line with UM’s commitment to promoting sustainable transport on the campus, the shop provides bike purchase and maintenance services. It also provides parcel collection and delivery services on the side for UM members. The founder surnamed Li, who is a student from the Faculty of Science and Technology, says ‘We hope to provide low-cost bike services for students and a training opportunity for those who want to enter this industry.’
Miss U is a snack shop aiming to provide more dining choices for UM members. A student surnamed Wan from the Faculty of Social Sciences, who is also the founder of the shop, says ‘Opening a snack shop has always been my dream. I really appreciate this opportunity and will collect feedback from our customers and continuously improve the service.’
Besides providing opportunities for students to start their own businesses, UM also provides support in shop design, promotion, and performance evaluation. Later this academic year, UM will open a new convenience store, a new cafe, and a new furniture shop, to give UM members more choices and more convenience.
