UM students launch new book, showcasing human and cultural landscape in Macao

Students from the Department of Communication at the University of Macau (UM) held a book launch event for their capstone graduation project titled City Walk in Macau (Communicator 2024). Through this publication, the students aimed to challenge traditional learning approaches and mindsets, thus promoting strolling as an effective way to study the city of Macao and drawing attention to the act of walking in cities.

City Walk in Macau consists of 20 articles divided into five sections: Livelihood, Intoxication, Roots, Culture, and Corner. Through interviews with ordinary citizens, experts and scholars, as well as in-depth readings and analysis of old newspapers and historical documents, the students present articles that unveil stories about the industry, entertainment industry, Southeast Asian Chinese community, culture, and Ká Hó village in Macao, all through the lens of five distinct walking paths.

Elory Kuang, editor and student from the Department of Communication, highlighted that this year’s publication differs from the previous magazine format as it is presented as a portable book. The book includes sketches of landscapes and traces of street corners, allowing readers to carry it while exploring the city—a symbol of ‘city in the book’. UM alumnus Danny Su expressed his intention to visit the routes detailed in the book.

Starting from February, City Walk in Macau will be distributed to different libraries in Macao. Interested individuals are welcome to borrow the book. The electronic version can be viewed at https://online.fliphtml5.com/nflqs/abhx/.

Communicator is the capstone graduation project for fourth-year students of the Department of Communication in UM’s Faculty of Social Sciences. Since its inception in 2001, a total of 22 issues have been published. The publication explores various social and cultural issues in Macao, reflecting students’ observations, understanding, and affection for Macao.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57590/

UM Rector Yonghua Song receives Medal of Merit – Education from Macao SAR Government

The Macao SAR Government today (19 December) held the 2023 Decorations, Medals and Certificates of Merit Awards Ceremony, where Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng presented awards to the recipients. Yonghua Song, rector of the University of Macau (UM), was awarded the Medal of Merit – Education in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the education sector.

Song expressed gratitude to the Macao SAR Government for acknowledging his contributions, adding that the Medal of Merit is an honour for UM as a whole. Thanks to the support of the country, the SAR Government and all sectors of society, as well as the concerted efforts of all UM students and faculty, the university has achieved satisfactory results in talent cultivation, research innovation, and other areas in recent years. UM will continue to adhere to its development direction of ‘being firmly rooted in Macao, jointly developing the Greater Bay Area, integrating with the nation, and going global’. It will actively support the strategies of the SAR Government and nurture high-calibre talent for Macao, particularly in fields such as healthcare, high technology, modern finance, culture and tourism, and MICE. Furthermore, the university will produce more research outcomes and foster their commercialisation, thus making more contributions to society across various aspects.

Song currently serves as the ninth rector of UM. He is also a chair professor in electrical engineering at UM and the director of the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City.

Among Song’s achievements, he has made systematic and innovative contributions to the safe and efficient operation of low carbon power systems. He has received many national and international awards and honours in recognition of his internationally acclaimed accomplishments. Song was elected a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK), a member of the Academia Europaea, and a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He was also awarded DSc by Brunel University, Honorary DEng by the University of Bath, and Honorary DSc by the University of Edinburgh. He won a second prize of the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award and the prize for Scientific and Technological Progress from the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation in 2020, the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Prize in 2022, and the Third National Innovation Excellence Award in 2023.

With extensive leadership experience at overseas and Chinese universities, Song has held positions such as pro-vice-chancellor at Brunel University, pro-vice-chancellor at the University of Liverpool, assistant president at Tsinghua University, and executive vice president at Zhejiang University. Since assuming the role of rector at UM in 2018, Song has overseen the moderate expansion of the university, leading to continuous improvements in teaching quality and significant advancements in international reputation. UM has consistently improved its rankings in both the Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings for six consecutive years, with the university being ranked 193rd and 254th respectively in 2024 and making its debut among the top 200 and top 300 universities worldwide. The university now holds a leading position among higher education institutions in Macao and ranks among the top 20 in the Greater China region.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57564/

Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences gives talk at UM on impact of X-ray on human civilisation

As part of the University Lecture Series, the University of Macau (UM) held a talk titled ‘Veritas, Innovation, Civilization & Progress’ today (19 January). Zhang Ze, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Zhejiang University, and expert in crystal structure in materials science, was the speaker. The talk was well attended by students and faculty of UM and local secondary schools, as well as members of the public.

Speaking at the event, UM Rector Yonghua Song said that Prof Zhang has trained many science and technology talent for China and has achieved systematic and innovative research results on the relationships between material properties and microstructures. He has also received many awards for his research breakthroughs in the fields of nanomaterials, optoelectronic materials, and energy materials.

During the talk, Prof Zhang discussed the impact of X-rays on the progress of human civilisation from 1895 to the present day. He pointed out that technological innovation is the fundamental and driving force of the progress of human civilisation. Prof Zhang then presented the research findings in the field of X-ray, including the one that was first awarded a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1901. He also shared his perspectives and breakthroughs in interdisciplinary research. In addition, Prof Zhang encouraged the audience to be innovative and highlighted the role of teachers in conveying knowledge, stimulating students to think, seek the truth, and develop sound values. He also engaged in the Q&A and discussion session with the audience.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57563/

Delegation led by secretary-general of Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macao visits UM

A delegation led by Ji Xianzheng, secretary-general of the Permanent Secretariat of Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) (Forum Macao), visited the University of Macau (UM) and had meetings with UM Rector Yonghua Song and Vice Rector Rui Martins. The two parties exchanged views on promoting cooperation between Macao and Portuguese-speaking countries in the fields of economics, trade, culture, science, and education.

Song said that UM is committed to nurturing high-level Chinese-Portuguese bilinguals for the Macao SAR and the country, and maintains close links and cooperation with higher education institutions in Portuguese-speaking countries through university alliances. The university will continue to support Macao’s development into ‘One Centre, One Platform, and One Base’ by increasing its efforts in talent cultivation and international cooperation. Ji spoke highly of UM’s achievements in talent cultivation and internationalisation. He said that Forum Macao actively promotes Macao’s economic, trade, educational, and international development, and attaches great importance to exchanges and cooperation with Macao’s universities and enterprises. Martins said that over the years, UM has trained a large number of high-calibre talent in the fields of Portuguese language education, law, and social sciences, who have played a key role in exchanges and cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries, adding that the university will continue to support Forum Macao.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57562/

UM scholar gives talk on how to cultivate grit

The University of Macau (UM) today (18 January) held a talk titled ‘Grit: The Power of Persisting and Strategies for Success’, as the 16th UM Scholar Research Forum. Zhou Ming Ming, professor in the Faculty of Education, was the speaker. The talk was well attended, with many secondary students and teachers watching it online as well. During the talk, Prof Zhou discussed how Chinese students’ grit comes into being and the importance of grit from the perspective of Eastern and Western cultures. She also shared the characteristics of grit and ways of cultivating grit, and guided the audience on how to cultivate grit in schools and at home, so as to maintain passion and unlock their potential for a happy and successful life.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57555/

UM holds Smart City Sustainable Development Seminar

The State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City (SKL-IOTSC) of the University of Macau (UM) held the Smart City Sustainable Development Seminar today (18 January). The seminar brought together academicians, experts, and scholars to discuss key scientific issues related to the sustainable development of smart cities. It also aimed to combine interdisciplinary and cutting-edge theories and technologies to enhance the sustainability of smart cities, and to provide robust technological support for the sustainable development strategy of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the country as a whole. Yonghua Song, rector of UM and director of SKL-IOTSC, and Zhang Ze, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Zhejiang University, delivered a speech respectively. Song pointed out that the challenges posed by urbanisation, such as traffic congestion, environmental pollution, and public safety, require close cooperation between governments and various sectors of society in both policy and technology in order to promote smart city development. Zhang said that UM has a unique advantage in student training and has the capability to integrate technologies from diverse disciplines to address challenges in smart city development, adding that the seminar enabled experts and scholars to provide suggestions for smart city research.

During the seminar, several academicians and experts shared the results of their latest research, including Li Hui, member of CAS and professor in the Key Laboratory of Structures Dynamic Behavior and Control of the Ministry of Education at Harbin Institute of Technology; Chen Lidong, member of CAS and professor in the State Key Laboratory of High Performance Ceramics and Superfine Microstructure, Shanghai Institute of Ceramics of CAS; Zhang Di, member of CAS and professor in the State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Yuen Ka Veng, distinguished professor at UM; and Hui Hongxun, assistant professor at UM.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57556/

Expert to give talk at UM on how X-ray studies have led to 25 Nobel Prizes

As part of the University Lecture Series, the University of Macau (UM) will hold a talk titled ‘Insights from X-ray: A Beam that Triggered 25 Nobel Prizes’ on Friday 19 January. Zhang Ze, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and professor in the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Zhejiang University, will be the speaker. During the talk, Prof Zhang will discuss the impact of X-rays on the progress of human civilisation from 1895 to the present day. He will also talk about how scientists have extended the study of X-ray to interdisciplinary research in physics, chemistry, and physiology, as well as the 25 Nobel laureates directly linked to X-ray studies.

The talk will start at 10:30am in the Multi-function Hall of the UM Guest House (N1-G014) and will be conducted in Mandarin. Interested individuals can register at https://isw.um.edu.mo/evm/register/ULSzezhang. For enquiries, please call 8822 9099 or email uls@um.edu.mo. All are welcome to attend.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57551/

UM offers training programme in business and economics for students from Kyung Hee University

Hyejung Chang, dean of the School of Management, and Yeujun Yoon, head professor of business administration at Kyung Hee University (KHU), led a group of more than 20 students to visit the University of Macau (UM). During the visit, Yonghua Song, rector of UM, met with Chang and Yoon. The two parties engaged in discussions on exchange programmes and cooperation between the two universities. In addition, KHU representatives held in-depth discussions with representatives of UM’s Faculty of Business Administration (FBA), Global Affairs Office, and Centre for Continuing Education (CCE) on student exchange, postgraduate education, joint training of students, research collaboration, as well as the training of students and faculty.

The nine-day training programme was jointly offered by CCE and the Business Research and Training Center of FBA at UM. Students from KHU attended lectures on special topics on Macao business and economy given by FBA professors. They also visited the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship as well as the Gaming Laboratory of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming to learn about UM’s entrepreneurial support for students and related teaching facilities. Additionally, they visited the Pavilion of China-Portuguese-speaking Countries Commercial and Trade Service Platform, the Macao Government Tourism Office, and other organisations in Macao. Through the lectures and field visits, the students gained more insights into UM’s learning environment and campus facilities, as well as the development directions of different sectors in the context of Macao’s economic diversification.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/57550/

UM achieves breakthrough in developing light-sensitive anti-cancer drugs

The research team led by Zhang Xuanjun, associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the University of Macau (UM), has developed a highly effective photosensitive anticancer drug, representing a major breakthrough in the development of practical photosensitive drugs. The drug is not constrained by oxygen concentration and can effectively address the problem of low efficacy caused by hypoxia in the tumour microenvironment during photodynamic therapy. The research results have been published in the internationally renowned journal Nature Communications.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new type of tumour treatment in addition to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgical treatment, and immunotherapy. Its principle is to use photosensitive drugs to generate toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) by photochemical reactions under laser irradiation, thereby effectively killing tumour cells. It has minimal side effects and is suitable for synergistic treatment. PDT can be divided into Type I and Type II depending on the different ROS produced. The Type-I pathway generates superoxide anion free radicals, hydroxyl radicals, and hydrogen peroxide by electron transfer, while the Type-II mechanism converts oxygen into singlet oxygen by energy transfer. In clinical practice, conventional PDT uses Type-II photosensitisers, which exhibit a disadvantage due to their high dependence on the concentration of oxygen during the photochemical process. The hypoxic microenvironment induced by mechanisms such as high metabolic rate and high oxygen consumption significantly diminishes the effectiveness of PDT. Therefore, the development of hypoxic active Type-I photosensitisers with low oxygen dependence and absorption in the long wavelength regions (deeper tissue penetration) is of great significance for clinical treatment. However, due to the lack of effective universal design strategies, the development of Type-I photosensitisers lags far behind that of Type-II photosensitisers. Organic iridium (III) complexes are a type of photosensitisers with excellent photocatalytic properties since the bountiful orbits of iridium atoms can promote the spin-orbit-coupling and lead to a higher probability of undergoing intersystem crossing, thus improving Type-I ROS generation. Despite this, their inherent short excitation wavelength results in limited tissue penetration and significant photodamage, which has become the main obstacle to their clinical application.

The research team successfully developed a highly effective photosensitive drug by tailoring the molecular structures of the selected iridium complexes and semiconducting polymers and assembling them. The drug can not only maintain the Type-I photochemistry of the iridium complexes, but also take full advantage of the strong absorption of semiconducting polymers in the long-wavelength region. With the incorporation of iridium atoms, the efficiency of metallopolymers in ROS generation is increased more than 80 times compared with the mother polymers. More importantly, this strategy is highly universal and has been successfully extended to the development of a series of photosensitive drugs.

The newly developed photosensitive drug has been successfully used in the treatment of breast cancer in mice models. The research results were published in Nature Communications under the title ‘Metallopolymer Strategy to Explore Hypoxic Active Narrow-Bandgap Photosensitizers for Effective Cancer Photodynamic Therapy’.

The corresponding author of the article is Zhang Xuanjun, and the first author is Zhang Zhao, a PhD graduate of FHS. Yuan Zhen, professor in FHS, Xing Guichuan, professor at the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering of UM, and Wu Changfeng, professor at Southern University of Science and Technology also made important contributions to the research. The Animal Research Core, the Proteomics, Metabolomics and Drug Development Core, and the Biological Imaging and Stem Cell Core provided high-quality services for the research. The project is supported by the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Macao SAR (File no: 0085/2020/A2 and 0114/2019/A2), the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (File no: 2022A151501061 and 2023A1515012524), UM (MYRG2020-00130-FHS and MYRG2022-00036-FHS), and the Ministry of Education Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology, UM. The full version of the research article can be viewed at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-43890-z.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/campus-news/detail/57538/

UM, Tsinghua University jointly hold workshop on traditional Chinese medicine and immunology research

The University of Macau (UM) and Tsinghua University jointly held a week-long Traditional Chinese Medicine and Immunology Research Workshop. Led by Director Chen Xin, Associate Professor Lu Jiahong, and Assistant Professor Chou Chon Kit at the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) of the University of Macau (UM), 12 UM students engaged in academic exchanges with students and faculty at Tsinghua University and discussed the direction of future cooperation.

UM students and faculty were warmly welcomed by Professors Xu Xiaoyu and Shi Yan, and Associate Professors Zeng Wenwen, Guo Xiaohuan, and Liu Zhihua in the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University. The two parties gave an overview of their respective faculty, teaching quality, research platforms and research direction. They also held the Seminar on Traditional Chinese Medicine, Natural Products and Immunology, laying the foundation for further collaboration between the two universities in the field of traditional Chinese medicine and immunology.

In addition, Professors Chen, Lu, and Chou were invited to share their research findings on the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on the immune and nervous systems. Among them, Prof Chen shared the discovery process of a new immune regulation target inspired by the traditional Chinese medicine theory in the Huangdi Neijing. The three UM professors also served as examiners for the final examination of the course ‘Critical Thinking in Immunology’, which is part of the doctoral programme offered by the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University.

During the workshop, PhD students from both universities shared their research progress and attended special courses such as ‘The Power of Vaccines’, ‘Frontier Biomedical Sciences’, and ‘Introduction to Basic Medicine and Diseases’. UM students and faculty also visited Changping Laboratory and biotechnology companies such as SineuGene and BriSTAR Immunotech to gain deeper insights into cutting-edge technologies in the field of medicine and health.

The workshop was organised by the Department of Basic Medical Sciences of the School of Medicine at Tsinghua University under the guidance of the Office of Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Affairs at Tsinghua University. Themed ‘Traditional Chinese Medicine and Immunology’, the workshop featured field studies, talks by experts, and group discussions. It also received support from the Ten Thousand Talents Program 2023, which was launched by the Ministry of Education to foster exchange programmes between mainland and Hong Kong/Macao students.

Moreover, the delegation from ICMS visited the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences at Peking University. They held in-depth discussions with Dean Ye Min, Vice Deans Huang Zhuo and Wang Yiguang, as well as their team on potential research collaboration and the joint training of pharmacology professionals.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/campus-news/detail/57529/