Dear Colleagues and Students,

We are delighted to invite you to the “Distinguished Talk of the Faculty of Science and Technology: The Imbroglios of Viruses in the Sea” on 18th June (Wednesday) from 16:00-17:00 at E11-1036.

We are glad to invite Prof. Curtis A. Suttle, who is a Distinguished University Scholar and Professor, as well as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and the American Academy of Microbiology, from the University of British Columbia, Canada, to share his insights into the complex roles of marine viruses in shaping life on Earth and their crucial integration into the marine ecosystem.

No registration is required. We look forward to seeing you there and sharing knowledge and insights together. Thank you.

📅 Date: 18th June 2025 (Wednesday)
⏰ Time: 16:00-17:00
💡 Language: English
📍 Venue: E11-1036

Best Regards,
Faculty of Science and Technology
University of Macau

Two UM Student Teams Achieve Excellent Results at the ACM Hong Kong Programming Contest

Two student teams from the Department of Computer and Information Science at the Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau (UM), participated in the ACM Hong Kong Programming Contest 2025 as an official team and an observer team respectively. Both teams delivered outstanding performances, drawing widespread attention. Notably, the observer team claimed the championship with exceptional strength, while the official team successfully solved two problems, showcasing solid foundational skills and excellent teamwork.

The annual event, organized by the Association for Computing Machinery Hong Kong Chapter, was held on Saturday, 7 June 2025, at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Modeled after the prestigious ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) —often referred to as the “Olympics of Computing”— the competition adheres to the same rigorous format, emphasizing teamwork, algorithmic thinking, and problem-solving under time constraints. Each team composed of three members who were given four hours to solve six challenging algorithmic problems. The contest attracted multiple university teams from across Hong Kong and Macau. 

Under the guidance of Prof. Xiaowei Wu, Ye Wang, Leong Hou U, along with PhD students Haolong Li and Zehan Lin from the Department of Computer and Information Science, the two UM teams represented Macau in the competition. The official team “icy_firely” consisted of UM undergraduate students Rongjia Zhang, Miaoyue Gao, and Cheang Ngou Hin. Competing on behalf of Macau, they successfully solved two problems, demonstrating solid foundational skills and strong collaborative spirit. The observer team “Singing Teacher” led by PhD student Zehan Lin, stood out with an extraordinary performance. The team solved five out of six problems—more than any other team in the contest—and emerged as the champion. Their achievement highlighted the powerful synergy between academic research and practical application, reflecting remarkable technical proficiency and innovation.

In addition, the Macau Computer Association also organized a high school team for the contest, which commendably solved two problems further showcasing the growing knowledge and potential among local youth in information technology.

As one of the most influential programming competitions for university students worldwide and renowned as the “Olympics of Computing,” the ICPC has long served as key platforms for nurturing top-tier IT talent. This latest success not only underscores the technical strength and innovative capacity of UM students but also showcase the Faculty of Science and Technology’s high quality of education and talent development. Moving forward, the Faculty remains committed to encouraging student participation in both national and international competitions—broadening horizons, cultivating creativity, and enhancing global competitiveness. UM aims to further elevate the standard of information technology education and research in Macau.

Dear Colleagues and Students,

We are delighted to present to you the 19th issue of the Faculty of Science and Technology’s E-Newsletter of the University of Macau. This edition highlights the latest news, research endeavors, and activities of the Faculty from February to April 2025. You can access the E-Newsletter by visiting the following link: https://www.fst.um.edu.mo/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Issue-19-Feb-April-2025.pdf

Additionally, if you would like to explore our previous E-Newsletters, please visit the FST website at: https://www.fst.um.edu.mo/annual-report/

We extend our warmest wishes for the well-being and happiness of you and your families.

Best Regards,
Faculty of Science and Technology
University of Macau

UM Faculty of Science and Technology invites industry leaders to share their insights, expanding students’ understanding of the industry

The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) of the University of Macau (UM) today held a career-oriented lecture titled “Future-Ready Careers: Insights and Sharing from Top Business Leaders” inviting industry experts from Wynn and Sands China to provide students with in-depth perspectives on the latest trends and career opportunities in facilities and engineering management, cybersecurity, and related fields. The event aimed to establish a direct dialogue between students and industry professionals, supporting their future career planning.

During the lecture, representatives from Wynn’s Human Resources and Facilities & Engineering departments elaborated on industry prospects, talent demands, and management training programs, emphasizing the importance of balancing technical expertise and leadership skills. Meanwhile, Sands China’s Human Resources team shared the company’s development journey and talent cultivation strategies, while cybersecurity executives analyzed industry challenges through real-world case studies. An interactive demonstration engaged students, sparking lively discussions among attendees.

Prof. Lam Chi Chiu, Assistant Dean of FST, stated, “The Faculty is committed to fostering industry-academia collaboration. By inviting corporate leaders to share their expertise, we help students stay updated on industry trends, broaden their career perspectives, and establish valuable connections with enterprises early on.” Participating students noted that the lecture not only deepened their understanding of these fields but also provided practical insights for future internships and employment. In the future, FST will organize more industry-academia exchange initiatives, including industry talks, company visits, and internship programmes, to strengthen students’ practical skills and cultivate high-caliber professionals for Macao and the Greater Bay Area.

Joint Laboratory of Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation unveiled at UM

University of Macau (UM) and South China Agricultural University (SCAU) jointly inaugurated the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau University Joint Laboratory of Marine Bioresource Conservation and Exploitation” recently, marking a  significant step in strengthening marine biodiversity protection, sustainable resource utilization, and the promotion of marine ecosystem sustainability. The establishment of this joint laboratory represents a new milestone in collaboration between the two universities in marine science, fostering research innovation and talent exchange within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

UM Rector Song Yonghua said in his speech that emphasized the importance of the collaboration in advancing marine biology research and education, particularly noting that the cooperation will leverage the strengths of both universities to address key challenges in marine protection and sustainable development. President Xue Hongwei of SCAU expressed gratitude for the collaboration and outlined South China Agricultural University’s commitment to marine science, highlighting that the joint laboratory will promote interdisciplinary research and the cultivation of scientific talent.

The Joint Laboratory aims to integrate the scientific research resources of universities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, leveraging each university’s strengths to focus on marine biodiversity conservation, achieving efficient and healthy aquaculture, and regulating the ecological environment of aquaculture. The inauguration of this joint laboratory will provide a new research platform for UM’s marine science research, having a profound impact on the advancement of marine science in the in the Greater Bay Area. The laboratory was jointly established by South China Agricultural University in collaboration with the University of Macau, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the City University of Hong Kong. Through multi-party collaboration, the laboratory aims to enhance its influence and inject new momentum into research.

Representatives from SCAU also included Zhang Jiaen, Dean of Development Planning; Wang Jianwu, Dean of the Undergraduate School; Wang Yingxiang, Dean of the College of Life Sciences; Liu Aodong, Deputy Director of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Affairs; Zhang Zhe, Deputy Dean of the College of Animal Science; Representatives from UM also included Xu Cheng-Zhong, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology; Xu Jie, Head of the Department of Ocean Science and Technology and Interim Director of Centre for Regional Oceans; Li Yongjie, and Hao Tianwei, Associate Professors; Gao Liang, Cai Zhongya, and Wang Guangyao, Assistant Professors in the Department of Ocean Science and Technology.

UM Students Achieve Outstanding Results in National Mathematics Competitions

Multiple students from the Department of Mathematics of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at the University of Macau (UM) have excelled in the “Contemporary Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling (CUMCM)” and the “The Chinese Mathematics Competitions (CMC)”, standing out among thousands of competing teams nationwide and securing multiple awards—marking the best performance in UM’s history. This not only reflects UM’s growing academic influence but also highlights its exceptional achievements in talent cultivation.

Under the guidance of Prof. Liu Zhi from the Department of Mathematics, two UM teams participating in the mathematical modeling contest—comprising Cheang Ngou Hin and Pan Yangshen, as well as Peng Ziyue, Huang Yihao, and Liu Guanyu—won second prizes. In the mathematical contest, Ngou Man Hei and Lei Wai In claimed first and third prizes, respectively, in Category A (for mathematics majors). Additionally, nine students—Ng Wang Heng, Liu Weiling, Zhang Yi, Xue Shaotang, Zheng Jiayu, Yang Yishu, Wang Meiying, Gao Miaoyue, and Tai Leong—earned first, second, and third prizes in Category B.

Contemporary Undergraduate Mathematical Contest in Modeling (CUMCM) first held in 1992, has grown into one of the largest mathematical modeling competitions in the world. It aims to motivate students in learning mathematics, enhance their ability to construct mathematical models and apply computer technology to solve real-world problems, and promote innovation in university-level mathematics education. This year’s contest attracted 65,761 teams from 1,788 universities worldwide, with both UM teams securing national second prizes.

Organized by the Chinese Mathematical Society since 2009, the Chinese Mathematics Competitions (CMC) is the most prestigious nationwide mathematics competition for undergraduates. It serves as a platform for young scholars to demonstrate their foundational mathematical skills and problem-solving abilities while also acting as a key channel for identifying top mathematical talent. In the 16th edition’s Guangdong regional preliminary round—which also doubled as the 14th Guangdong Undergraduate Mathematical Contest—11 UM students won awards, setting a new university record.

The Department of Mathematics places strong emphasis on cultivating students’ mathematical modeling skills, analytical thinking, and practical data analysis abilities, while actively encouraging participation in international and national competitions to apply knowledge and sharpen skills. The outstanding results achieved by UM students in these contests demonstrate their strong competitiveness on the national stage and the effectiveness of UM’s mathematics education. Moving forward, UM will continue to advance mathematics education, striving to nurture more globally competitive mathematical talents with international perspectives.