Macau, April 20, 2026 — A delegation from the Opera Nazionale Montessori (ONM), the Italian National Montessori Institute, visited the Centre for Educational Psychology and Early Childhood Education at the University of Macau (UM). The meeting aimed to explore potential academic collaboration and research opportunities in early childhood education.

Prof. Zhou, Director of the Centre, hosted the delegation together with Prof. Hu and Prof. Sun, both experts in early childhood education. The visit was facilitated through the recommendation of a local Montessori practitioner, Ms. Feng, who had previously completed advanced training in Rome.

Background and Introduction by ONM Delegation

The ONM team, including Executive Producer Ms. Li and General Producer Mr. Forte, began the meeting by screening a short introductory documentary. The film highlights ONM’s nearly 30-year journey documenting Western education — from infancy through university — including ordinary, vocational, elite, special-needs, and authentic Montessori education. The series is presented as the first of its kind to gain rare access to private family and infant settings, areas traditionally off-limits to media in the West.

The delegation emphasized that their work has received international recognition, including multiple China Educational Television Awards and the World Peace Education Award at the 2010 United Nations World Youth Summit. Over the years, they have filmed across Canada, the United States, Italy, Sweden, Spain, and other countries, interviewing Nobel Foundation leaders, university presidents, Montessori direct descendants, and prominent figures whose lives were shaped by Montessori education.

Ms. Li shared the personal motivation behind their deepened focus on China and Asia. During interviews with leading international Montessori experts, she encountered questions about the quality and fidelity of some Montessori implementations in China. This prompted a strong commitment to introduce the pure, original scientific system of Montessori education — developed and preserved by ONM — to Chinese-speaking regions through credible academic channels.

Clarification on ONM vs. Other Organizations

The team clearly distinguished ONM (Opera Nazionale Montessori) from other bodies such as AMI:

  • ONM is the official national institution founded in 1924 under Italian law with the direct involvement of Maria Montessori and the Italian Minister of Education. It operates under governmental oversight and is dedicated to preserving original materials, conducting research, and protecting the integrity of Montessori’s philosophy.
  • Its trainers are primarily direct students of Montessori or educators with decades of hands-on classroom experience.
  • Unlike commercial or promotional associations, ONM focuses on research, protection of original sources, and high-level academic cooperation.

University of Macau’s Response

Prof. Zhou and the expert team listened attentively and responded with transparency. They expressed that the Centre is not currently positioned to launch joint certification training programs or large-scale teacher certification courses. Instead, they showed strong interest in research-oriented collaboration, including:

  • Empirical studies on the effects of authentic Montessori practices on child development (cognition, mathematics, social-emotional growth, independence, concentration, etc.).
  • Possible observation labs or demonstration classes.
  • Academic seminars and knowledge-sharing platforms.
  • Access to high-quality reference materials and expert lectures.

The UM professors noted that Montessori principles are already part of their early childhood education curriculum, but their program prepares well-rounded preschool teachers rather than Montessori-only specialists. They welcomed evidence-based resources, such as peer-reviewed studies and properly translated original texts (e.g., works directly translated from Italian by qualified scholars), to support rigorous research.

Practical considerations were also discussed, including Macau’s unique position as a bridge between East and West, as well as challenges such as venue capacity and travel arrangements for mainland participants.

Positive Outcomes and Next Steps

Both sides agreed the meeting was a valuable first step in building mutual understanding. The ONM delegation offered to serve as a bridge to bring world-renowned Montessori experts — many with 30–70 years of direct experience — for seminars, workshops, or joint research projects. The University expressed openness to future collaboration, particularly in the form of academic seminars, expert lectures, and potential small-scale demonstration or observation activities.

The meeting concluded on a cordial and constructive note. All participants thanked Ms. Feng for the introduction and expressed hope for continued dialogue.