UM students honoured with award at international competition on genetic engineering

A team of undergraduate students from the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) and the Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Macau (UM) participated in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Competition 2023 held in Paris. The UM team competed with teams from the world’s top universities and won a silver medal for their research on alleviating the symptoms of coeliac disease. This marks the fifth consecutive year that UM has received an award in the iGEM competition, an international competition on synthetic biology.

This year’s iGEM competition attracted more than 400 teams formed by over 3,000 students from more than 65 countries. The research presented by the UM student team focuses on solutions to coeliac disease, an autoimmune disorder triggered by the consumption of gluten-containing foods. Coeliac disease has significant long-term consequences, including growth impairment in children and an elevated risk of various diseases such as anaemia and osteoporosis. Current treatment options for coeliac disease primarily include a lifelong gluten-free diet and oral enzyme therapy. However, strict dietary restrictions may lead to great inconveniences, and the cost of consuming gluten-free food over the long term can be substantial. Under the guidance of FHS Associate Professor Lee Tsz On, Professor Garry Wong and Associate Professor Kwok Hang Fai, a team of 28 undergraduate students developed a research project called ‘Glutenase Intestinal Guardian (GEIG)’. The team employed genetic engineering techniques to create an enzyme delivery system within bacteria that breaks down gluten. The system, controlled by a nitric oxide sensor, responds to the inflammatory conditions in the intestines of individuals with coeliac disease. By regulating the release of prolyl endopeptidase, it alleviates the symptoms.

The team members dedicated their spare time to project design and conducting experiments. In addition, they held the 1st iGEM Greater Bay Area Synthetic Biology Industry-Academia-Research Forum in collaboration with the iGEM teams from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, and Shenzhen University. They also conducted popularisation activities in primary and secondary schools in the mainland and Macao to raise awareness of gastrointestinal diseases. Liao Wenyu, the team leader and a third-year student in FHS, said that the team had overcome many challenges during the process, from which they had developed their scientific knowledge and improved their soft skills.

The iGEM competition, which was founded in 2003 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is now a global competition. During the competition, student teams from around the world come together to address global challenges through the application of their knowledge of synthetic biology. They showcase cutting-edge research, and foster a mutually beneficial and friendly yet competitive environment. The competition not only promotes interdisciplinary scientific collaborations but also offers the general public an opportunity to envision the future of synthetic biology.

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/57211/

UM, Peking University establish strategic partnership

Gong Qihuang, president of Peking University, led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM) and was received by Yonghua Song, rector of UM. During the visit, the two parties signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement, with the aim of promoting talent cultivation and technological innovation in both places and contributing to the development of higher education in China.

According to Song, Peking University has been an important partner of UM since 1995. Recent cooperation between the two universities includes the establishment of the Centre for Constitutional Law and Basic Law Studies of UM, and the exchange activities between Peking University’s Yuanpei College and UM’s Cheng Yu Tung College. He added that the signing of the cooperation agreement signifies that the relationship between the two universities has elevated to a strategic partnership. The two sides will continue to make full use of their respective strengths to deepen cooperation and exchange, and to jointly promote talent cultivation and innovative research in Beijing and Macao. Gong hopes that the two universities will leverage their strategic partnership to foster academic and research cooperation and exchanges in various disciplines, as well as the cultivation of outstanding talent. He also looks forward to joining hands with other higher education institutions around the world to promote the integration of emerging technologies into higher education through the Digital Intelligence International Development Education Alliance.

In addition, Gong gave a talk titled ‘Invigorating China through Science and Education, and Accelerating the Building of World Hubs for Talent and Innovation’ as part of UM’s University Lecture Series. During the talk, he shared Peking University’s practices and objectives on talent cultivation from two aspects, namely student education and faculty development. The talk attracted a number of UM students and faculty.

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/57210/

UM scholar gives talk on how modern technology ensures safety of Chinese medicines

The University of Macau (UM) today (24 November) held a talk titled ‘Building the First Line of Defense for the Safety of Chinese Medicines with Modern Technology’, as the 15th UM Scholar Research Forum. Li Peng, professor at UM’s Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, was the speaker. The talk was attended by a full house of audience, with many secondary students and teachers watching it online as well. During the talk, Prof Li gave a detailed explanation of the main factors affecting the safety of Chinese medicines and presented how modern technologies can be used to ensure the safety of Chinese medicines. Participants actively engaged in the Q&A session and some said that the talk enabled them to acquire a deeper understanding of the safety of Chinese medicines.

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/57200/

He Defang, deputy secretary general of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and counsellor of the State Council, led a delegation to visit UM

He Defang, deputy secretary general of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and a counsellor of the State Council, led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM). During the visit, UM representatives introduced to the delegation the university’s development history, research layout, unique advantages, as well as its commitment to nurturing more talent and advancing technological innovations to contribute to the development of Macao and the country. The delegation also visited UM’s three state key laboratories to learn about the innovative research, achievements, and future development directions of the university. He highly praised UM’s research accomplishments in various fields in recent years and expressed the hope for closer collaboration and interaction between UM and the mainland, which will foster greater contributions to the scientific and technological development of the country and 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/57166/

Olympic gold medalist Yang Yilin shares her athletic story with students as she starts her academic journey at UM

Olympic gold medalist Yang Yilin, who is currently a student of the Doctor of Public Administration programme at the University of Macau (UM), recently shared her remarkable journey and insights during the ‘Olympic Gold Medalists’ Sharing Session organised by UM’s Office of Sports Affairs. As a testament to her achievements, Yang was also appointed as an honorary advisor to UM’s sports teams. During the event, Yang recounted her personal story of overcoming various challenges and shared her experiences as an educator. She emphasised the importance of confronting challenges head-on and encouraged UM students to unleash their potential. The event attracted the participation of more than 500 faculty and students. Yang’s story not only motivates students to pursue their own aspirations but also contributes to the nurturing of sports talent in 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/57157/

Renowned artists from the Central Academy of Fine Arts will give talks on art innovation in the age of AI at UM

As part of the University Lecture Series, the University of Macau (UM) will hold three lectures under the theme ‘art innovation in the age of AI’. The talks feature three renowned artists and educators from the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), who will delve into various artistic fields. The talks will be conducted in Mandarin. All are welcome to join.

The first lecture, titled ‘Artificial Intelligence and Artistic Creation: A New Paradigm of Materials, Process and Painting’ will be held at 3:30pm on 22 November at Ho Yin Conference Hall (N6-G010), with Prof Ma Lu as the speaker. As an accomplished oil painter, Prof Ma is former dean of the School of Plastic Arts at CAFA. He will explore the new paradigm of art creation in the age of AI from the aspects of materials, process and painting. Moreover, he will share his experiences and insights in oil painting creation. Prof Li Jun, chair professor and head of the Department of Art and Design at UM, will be the moderator.

The second lecture, titled ‘From Brush and Ink to the World—The Novelty of Ink Painting’, will be held at 3:30pm on 23 November at Ho Yin Conference Hall (N6-G010), with Prof Liu Qinghe as the speaker. As a renowned ink artist, Prof Liu is former dean of the School of Chinese Paintings at CAFA. He will analyse the innovative potential of ink painting by examining the nature, characteristics and development history of ink. In addition, he will share his exploratory journey and practice in ink art. Prof Yao Jingming, full professor in the Department of Portuguese at UM, will be the moderator. Interested individuals can register at: https://isw.um.edu.mo/evm/register/uls_1123.

The third lecture, titled ‘Thinking Matters—The Innovation of Art Education’, will be held at 3:30pm on 24 November at Ho Yin Conference Hall (N6-G010), with Prof Li Fan as the speaker. As a renowned artist and art educator, Prof Li is deputy director of the Department of Printmaking at CAFA. He will discuss the innovative aspects of art education, focusing on its purpose, content and methods. He will also share his philosophy and practical experiences in art education. Prof Wang Qingjie, University of Macau Development Foundation Distinguished Professor of Philosophy and Religions Studies and associate dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at UM, will be the moderator. Interested individuals can register at: https://isw.um.edu.mo/evm/register/uls_1124.

The three lectures will offer a rare opportunity for UM members and the general public to attend captivating talks by three esteemed experts from CAFA. The talks will explore the trends and challenges of art innovation in the age of AI. Attendees will have the chance to gain valuable insights and engage in meaningful discussions and interactions with the speakers. For enquiries, please contact Mr Wong at 8822 8431.

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/57156/

UM holds International Collegiate Programming Contest

The Faculty of Science and Technology of the University of Macau (UM) recently held the 2023 International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC) (Asia Macau Regional Contest), with the aim of promoting exchange of programming skills, and enhancing students’ interest in computer programming. The regional contest in Macao drew the participation of 82 teams from 67 renowned universities and from 8 secondary schools in China. Approximately 300 students and teachers gathered at UM to compete for the regional championship and exchange ideas on programming skills.

Yonghua Song, rector of UM, expressed his delight in seeing participants from various renowned universities gather at UM. He emphasised that UM has always attached importance to cultivating students’ innovation, teamwork spirit, and analytical problem-solving skills. The contest provided an important learning platform for outstanding students from around the world, allowing them to challenge themselves in a real programming environment and showcase their excellent programming skills. In addition, the contest provided an opportunity for participants to demonstrate their innovation and excellence in computer science, and to achieve even greater accomplishments.

The participating teams came from various universities, including Peking University, Renmin University of China, University of Science and Technology of China, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, Zhejiang University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Southern University of Science and Technology, Wuhan University, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, City University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Eight secondary schools from Hong Kong and Macao were also represented. After intense competition, the Peking University team won the championship, with Zhejiang University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, securing the first runner-up and second runner-up positions, respectively. UM also achieved a historic milestone by winning a bronze award for the first time in the contest. In addition, as an observation team in the senior secondary student category, the performance of Macao secondary students demonstrated an award-winning level, indicating that their computer programming skills have reached an international standard.

According to the rules of the contest, each participating team consisted of up to three students, who were tasked with solving 11 to 12 practical programming problems within a five-hour time limit. Each team was provided with one computer for their use. Members of each team had to collaborate and work against the clock, performing mathematical analysis, designing data structures and algorithms, and writing code to solve the given problems. After solving each problem, the teams were required to submit their solutions through an online evaluation system for real-time assessment. The team that solved the highest number of problems in the fewest attempts in the least cumulative time would be declared the regional winner and advance to the world finals.

Launched in 1970, the ICPC is an algorithmic programming contest that aims to foster students’ creativity, teamwork, as well as ability to write code and solve problems under pressure. Over the years, the ICPC has drawn the participation of more than 50,000 students from over 3,000 universities around the world, making it the most influential programming contest for college students. UM has hosted the Macao local contest of the ICPC for three consecutive years, which has contributed to the popularisation of computer education, and stimulating students’ interest and passion for computer science. Through organising the contest, UM demonstrates its commitment to nurturing future talent in programming and artificial intelligence for Macao, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the country as a whole.

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/57137/

UM’s DPA students learned about public administration practices in Beijing

More than 40 students of the Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) programme in the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) at the University of Macau (UM) participated in a study tour to Beijing to learn about the social development of the capital city and their public administration practices. During the trip, the DPA students visited various academic institutions, including the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party (National Academy of Governance) and Peking University. They engaged in in-depth discussions and exchanges with the faculty and students on topics such as government functions, institutional reform, and smart governance. The group also visited different social service organisations and public departments to gain insights into the social development and public administration practices in Beijing.

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/57138/

Party secretary of Beijing Normal University leads delegation to visit UM to promote cooperation in teacher training

Cheng Jianping, party secretary of Beijing Normal University (BNU), led a delegation to visit the University of Macau (UM). The delegation was received by Yonghua Song, rector of UM, and Carol Wang, director of the Rector’s Office. The two parties held in-depth discussions and exchanges with a view to jointly promoting the development of higher education in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, as well as cooperation between the two universities in the field of teacher training. Song said that UM is committed to cultivating talent for the nation and facilitating the development of the Greater Bay Area. He hopes that UM and BNU will join forces to promote deeper cooperation in various academic and research fields, especially in teacher training, and launch joint programmes to cultivate outstanding teachers. Cheng said that UM and BNU have established a partnership for more than 20 years and have carried out various student exchange activities, promoted teaching and research collaboration in different fields, and established several academic alliances. He looks forward to a closer partnership between the two universities.

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/57128/

Delegation from Eduardo Mondlane University visits UM

Manuel Guilherme Júnior, rector of Eduardo Mondlane University and an outstanding alumni of the University of Macau (UM), led a delegation to visit UM.

The delegation, together with Aurélio Chiconela, counsellor of the Consulate-General of Mozambique in Macao, was warmly received by UM Rector Yonghua Song, Vice Rector Rui Martins, and Dean of the Faculty of Law Tong Io Cheng. Song and Manuel Guilherme Júnior signed a memorandum of understanding and agreed to enhance cooperation and exchanges in areas including academic and research development, talent cultivation, and mutual visits.

Song spoke highly of the achievements of Manuel Guilherme Júnior since graduating from UM and expressed the university’s commitment to nurturing globally-minded and competitive talent for Portuguese-speaking countries. UM will also continue to expand cooperation with overseas universities to further enhance Macao’s role as an important platform between China and other countries. Manuel Guilherma Júnior recognised the significance of his studies at UM. He highlighted the talent development programme between the law faculties of the two universities, and expressed interest in deepening his understanding of UM’s international education model and campus management experience.

During the visit, the Eduardo Mondlane University delegation visited UM’s Faculty of Law, Faculty of Business Administration, Moon Chun Memorial College, Information and Communication Technology Office, University Gallery, and library. The two parties had in-depth discussions on academic collaboration, higher education institution management, and development.

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/57125/