On March 14, 2026, a group of 37 students from the course SOCI 3243 “Crime and Social Control in Globalised Societies” embarked on a meaningful one-day academic exchange to Macau. Led by course instructor Dr. David Ng Ka-sing, Adjunct Associate Professor and former Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), and assisted by Dr. Kent Lee and Ms. Vironsca Gan, the trip was designed to bridge classroom theory with on-the-ground practice, offering students a unique perspective on crime and social control in a neighbouring Greater Bay Area city.

The day was a resounding success, thanks to the generous support and hospitality of two key partners: the Macau Customs Service and the Department of Sociology at the University of Macau.

The first stop was the Macau Customs Maritime Surveillance Building, where students were warmly received. The visit offered an immersive look into the multifaceted role of Macau Customs, which also encompasses responsibilities akin to a marine police force.

The programme was rich and engaging, featuring a detailed introduction to the Maritime Surveillance Department, insightful demonstrations of diving team and civil defence equipment, and a showcase of cutting-edge technology, including drones used for rescue and surveillance. Our students were particularly fascinated by a two-way sea-land patrol vehicle parked outside, capable of operating on both land and in water.

The absolute highlight of the morning was the opportunity to board a customs patrol vessel. As the ship cruised the Macau waters, officers provided live explanations of their daily duties, from anti-smuggling operations to search and rescue missions. The students’ excitement peaked when several customs officers on speedboats performed a high-speed manoeuvre alongside the vessel, offering a thrilling glimpse into maritime law enforcement in action. We are especially grateful to Mr. Lam for his professional leadership of the tour, and to Ms. Lee for her meticulous coordination, which ensured the entire experience was both educational and unforgettable.

Following the morning’s practical exposure, the group shifted focus to academic dialogue. The department was delighted to be joined by colleagues from the University of Macau for a delightful lunch at the Dragon Portuguese Cuisine. In a relaxed atmosphere, students and faculty from both universities enjoyed authentic Macanese cuisine, fostering connection and conversation. We extend our sincere thanks to Professors Jianhua Xu and Tony Zhang for their engaging company and stimulating discussion.

The final leg of the journey took the group to a lecture hall at the University of Macau’s Faculty of Social Sciences for a joint seminar. The session began with Dr. David Ng delivering a foundational talk on “Intelligence-led Policing.” Drawing from his extensive experience in the Hong Kong Police, he elucidated this sophisticated policing model, explaining how information is systematically transformed into actionable intelligence to effectively reduce crime.

He then introduced the main speaker, Professor Bo Jiang, whose presentation on “Big Data Analytics in Border Security” captivated the audience. Prof. Jiang shared his pioneering research, drawing parallels between the analysis of New York Police Department’s stop-and-frisk data and border checks at Hong Kong International Airport. He demonstrated how big data can be used to identify risk factors and develop scoring systems that increase detection rates while minimizing unnecessary stops of low-risk travellers. The lecture also sparked critical thinking, as Prof. Jiang cautioned that “garbage in, garbage out” applies to predictive policing—biased data can lead to biased outcomes, underscoring the need for rigorous randomized controlled trials.

The students were deeply engaged, posing thoughtful questions that continued well into the journey back to Hong Kong. The debate focused on the ethical implications of targeting, the societal impact of reduced stop rates, and its connection to broader movements like “defund the police” in the United States.

This highly successful exchange was made possible by the exceptional support of our hosts. We are profoundly grateful to Professor Jun Xu, Head of the Department of Sociology at the University of Macau, and his team for their hospitality. Special thanks go to Professor Bo Jiang for his tireless efforts in coordinating the visit and for sharing his cutting-edge research with our students.

As Professor Nicole W.T. Cheung, Chair of the Department of Sociology at CUHK, noted in her follow-up message to Professor Xu: “It was a wonderful opportunity for our students to spend an academically stimulating afternoon with their peers from the University of Macau… We very much hope to build on this successful collaboration. It would be our great pleasure to host our next exchange at CUHK.”

This visit to Macau was more than just a field trip; it was a powerful reminder of the value of experiential learning and cross-institutional collaboration. By moving from the classroom to the patrol boat and the lecture hall, our students gained a richer, more nuanced understanding of crime and social control in our globalised world.

Acknowledgement: This article was drafted with the assistance of DeepSeek AI, and edited by the author for accuracy and style.