UM develops natural oligosaccharides for hair regeneration

A research team led by Wang Chunming, professor at the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences and the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine of the University of Macau (UM), in collaboration with Dong Lei, professor at the School of Life Sciences of Nanjing University, and Xiao Jian, professor at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Wenzhou Medical University, has developed a new biomaterial based on plant-derived oligosaccharides (OG6). The study shows that injecting OG6 into the skin of mice could markedly accelerate hair growth. The research results are protected by a granted Chinese invention patent and under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and have been published in the top international journal Advanced Materials.

Human hair has vital physiological functions. However, hair loss caused by genetic factors, hormone levels, emotional stress, and other factors, affects tens of millions of people worldwide. At present, there are few clinically approved drugs available on the market and the side effects are substantial, while hair transplantation can be costly and painful. The clinical demand and market value of hair loss treatment are therefore considerable. Prof Wang, who initiated the research three years ago, is now discussing future collaboration with companies and clinical institutions to fast-track the clinical translation of the research results and develop a new drug for the market. He also hopes to be one of the first batch of users of the new drug.

According to Prof Wang, mammalian hair grows from hair follicles (HFs) and hair growth is cyclical, with the transition from ‘anagen’ (growth) to ‘telogen’ (rest) phases being regulated by the physiological microenvironment of the local tissues. Changes in the number of certain immune cells or the concentration of specific cytokines can stimulate HF growth, but such changes are difficult to control precisely. In the study, the team optimised an enzyme, which acts like a pair of scissors, to ‘cut’ the large molecules from natural plant-derived glucomannan polysaccharides into smaller oligosaccharides, from which the researchers identified a fraction called OG6. OG6 can specifically induce specific cells in the skin to release a signal called CCL5. The signal acts like a traffic light and leads a type of immune cells called regulatory T cells to migrate towards HFs, interact with the stem cells around HFs, and stimulate HFs to enter the anagen phase. It is interesting to note that neither the large molecules that serve as source material nor the other small fractions obtained from the cutting possess this specific function of OG6. The team speculated that the cutting exposes the ‘hidden activity’ of the oligosaccharides, which is concealed by the polysaccharide chain. After verifying the molecular mechanism of OG6 with multiple biological methodologies, they injected OG6 into the dermal tissue of wild-type and transgenic mice whose hair had been shaved and observed that healthy hairs grew rapidly in situ without skin allergies or toxic side effects. More importantly, OG6 is a safe substance as its final degradation products are glucose and mannose, which are already present in the human body.

Yin Xiaoyu, a master’s graduate of the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences of UM, is the first author of the study. The research project was supported by the ‘Macao Funding Scheme for Key R&D Projects’ of the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Macao SAR (File no: 0001/2021/AKP), the ‘Excellent Young Scientists Fund (Hong Kong and Macao)’ of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (File no: 32022088), and the ‘Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Technology Research Programme (Type C)’ of the Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission (File no: SGDX2020110309280301). The full version of the research article can be viewed at https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202304655.

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/56471/

UM experts and scholars provide suggestions on SAR government’s policies for 2024

The University of Macau (UM) Centre for Macau Studies (CMS) today (30 August) held a seminar on the Macao SAR government’s policy address for the fiscal year 2024, in which experts and scholars provided suggestions for the government’s policies in the next fiscal year. During the event, the attendees discussed residents’ expectations in the midst of the economic recovery, the post-pandemic situation of micro and small enterprises (MSEs), as well as the transformation of occupational structure and the problem of unemployment caused by the development of artificial intelligence. They also proposed some forward-looking policies and suggestions for industries in various aspects.

The seminar was chaired by CMS Director Agnes Lam Iok Fong. According to Kwan Fung, assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences, the SAR government should continue to focus on ‘conclusion’ and ‘stability’ in its future policies. He suggested that the government should review the effectiveness of the beneficial measures introduced in the past three years, such as the electronic consumption benefits plan, financial support for small and medium enterprises (SME), and the subsidised training programme, in order to provide references for similar policies in the future. The government should also review the outcomes and shortcomings of the economy-boosting measures. Looking ahead, Macao’s tourism industry is expected to recover in 2024, and further efforts can be made to expand its international tourist sources, while economic diversification should be based on stability.

Tong Kai Chung, president of the Macau Institute of Management, said that Macao’s economy is recovering, and has reached 71% of the level of 2019. However, the tourism industry and tourist consumption are undergoing structural adjustments, and the government should pay attention to structural disequilibrium in the process of economic recovery. In terms of governance, the government should place emphasis on maintaining consumption and investment confidence, and the beneficial measures taken during the epidemic should not be withdrawn from the market too quickly. He believes that with the integration into the Greater Bay Area and the increase in regional competition, the government should observe the relevant impacts on Macao’s MSEs, and help them to transition and survive in the course of economic restructuring.

Ricardo Siu Chi Sen, associate professor in the Faculty of Business Administration also shared the concern about the residents’ expectations towards the sudden rise in the number of tourists during Macao’s recovery period. He said that the government should take into consideration the residents’ expectations. To reduce the conflicts between residents and tourists, the government should also consider introducing measures such as encouraging the use of public transport, setting exclusive lanes for public transport, placing emphasis on environmental hygiene, and implementing intelligent traffic diversion measures. He added that the government should give preliminary consideration to and prepare for the use of digital Renminbi in the future, and take legislative action on digital currency and mobile payment.

According to Davis Fong Ka Chio, director of the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gaming, up to the present moment, the number of visitors to Macao has reached 14 million, and it is believed that the mass market will return to 2019’s level in the fourth quarter of this year. As the speed of recovery is faster than expected, some social issues may emerge. He pointed out that Macao’s ability to receive tourists is linked to its gaming revenue, which makes the gaming revenue predictable. The government can make relevant estimates and formulate relevant policies. He noted that under the impact of high interest rates, MSEs’ liquidity is tight, and some MSEs that have participated in the scheme that allows them to pay the interest only with the suspension of the amortisation of capital might face closure or liquidity risks in the future.

Amy So Siu Ian, associate professor in the Faculty of Business Administration said that in terms of consoliding integrated tourism and leisure, the government needs to put more efforts in addressing the issues of transport support, and propose short-, medium-, and long-term improvement plans; in terms of cultural policy, it should develop ‘cultural landmarks’ with regard to customer experience and attractiveness; in terms of sports, culture, and tourism, in addition to focusing on the nature of events, it is suggested to consider the combination of events and tourism; in terms of conventions and exhibitions, it is suggested to strengthen the foreign language skills of Macao’s young people, which can contribute to the internationalisation of the convention and exhibition industry; in terms of cultural industries, it is suggested to pique the interest of local young people in emerging industries and familiarise them with the respective prospects; and in terms of the ‘Five-Year Plan’, the government should define the positioning of vaiours governmental departments in the Five-Year Plan.

According to Alfred Wong Seng Fat, associate professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology, it is necessary to formulate short-, medium- and long-term technological development plans so as to foster an atmosphere conducive to entrepreneurship in the science and technology industry. The government should first develop technology industries and products that are easier to proceed with, and then develop those with higher levels and standards. Regarding the green industry, the government should strive to achieve the national target of peaking carbon dioxide emissions before 2030, introduce new technologies to create a green technology industry, and invest in the carbon trading market. In terms of Macao’s talent development plan, the government should actively cultivate and recruit talent with multiple capabilities, especially those with expertise in artificial intelligence and data science, and attract high-tech professionals who have successful experience. It should also support the sustainable development of local athletes. In addition, the government should be committed to implementing comprehensive urban planning in order to solve Macao’s traffic issues.

Chan Kin Sun, assistant professor in the Faculty of Social Sciences, said that the government should increase efforts on promoting the four emerging industries so that residents can understand the correlation between these industries and the public. The government should know well about the ecology and industrial chain of the four industries, propose specific arrangements, and find the direction of future industrial development. As a key city in the western part of the Greater Bay Area, Macao can establish links with other cities in the region, which is conducive to the development of the city’s industrial chain. Moreover, he suggested that industrial platforms could be built to enable local MSEs to start their businesses and explore business opportunities in the region.

Elvo Sou Kuai Long, assistant professor (by courtesy) in the Faculty of Social Sciences, shared his concern about the mental health of Macao residents, as the suicide rates in 2022 and the first half of 2023 are relatively high compared with previous years. Aside from the economy, the government should also pay attention to the mental health of residents. He suggested that it should promote mental health courses in schools, optimise the allocation of mental health care resources in the public and private sectors, and advocate mental health policies in the market and workplace. He added that the government should focus on the continuity of policies and take follow-up actions in the future, for example, the issue of well-being mentioned in the Youth Indicators of Macao in 2021.

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/56391/

UM develops new technique for prediabetes detection

A research team led by Liu Tzu-Ming, associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the University of Macau (UM), has developed a technique for prediabetes detection based on metabolic fluorescence imaging of adipose tissue. The study presents an innovative method for diagnosing prediabetes, shedding light on diabetes prevention strategies. The research results have been published in the international journal Theranostics.

Prediabetes can be reversed through lifestyle intervention, but its main pathologic hallmark, insulin resistance (IR), cannot be detected as conveniently as blood glucose testing. In consequence, the diagnosis of prediabetes is often delayed until patients have hyperglycemia. Therefore, developing a less invasive diagnostic method for rapid IR evaluation will contribute to the screening and prevention of prediabetes. Since adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that plays a crucial role in the development and progression of prediabetes, metabolic fluorescence imaging the prediabetic microenvironment of adipose tissues provides a less invasive alternative for the characterisation of IR and inflammatory pathology.

The research team successfully identified the differentiable features of prediabetic adipose tissues by employing the metabolic imaging of three endogenous fluorophores NAD(P)H, FAD, and lipofuscin pigments. 1040-nm excited lipofuscin autofluorescence could mark the location of macrophages. This unique feature helps distinguish the metabolic fluorescence signals of macrophages from those of adipocytes. In prediabetes fat tissues with IR, only adipocytes exhibit a low redox ratio of metabolic fluorescence and high free NAD(P)H fraction a1. This differential signature disappears in mice which quit the high-fat diet or high-fat-high-sucrose diet and recover from IR. When mice have diabetic hyperglycemia and inflamed fat tissues, both adipocytes and macrophages possess such kind of metabolic change. As confirmed with RNA-seq analysis and histopathology evidence, the change in adipocyte’s metabolic fluorescence could be an indicator or risk factor of prediabetic IR.

Prof Liu is the corresponding author of the study, and his PhD student Chen Liping is the first author. Others who have contributed to the study include PhD student Qin Guihui and postdoctoral fellow Wang Xiaoyan in the FHS. The project was supported by the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Macao SAR (File no: 122/2016/A3, 018/2017/A1, 0120/2020/A3, 0026/2021/A) and UM (File no: MYRG2018-00070-FHS, MYRG-CRG2022-00009-FHS). The full version of the research article can be viewed at https://www.thno.org/v13p3550.htm.

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/56379/

UM, Labour Affairs Bureau jointly offer course to train construction safety professionals

To meet the industry’s demand for construction safety supervisors, the Centre for Continuing Education of the University of Macau (UM) and the Labour Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR government have jointly offered four intakes of the certificate course for construction safety supervisors in the past year. Launched in 2005, the course has been held for 61 intakes, with a total of 1,911 participants completing the course.

The course consists of 150 hours of study and covers four major topics, namely ‘Occupational Safety’, ‘Occupational Health’, ‘Safety Management’, and ‘Occupational Safety and Health Legislation and Site Inspections’. It aims to equip participants with relevant professional knowledge and enable them to assist their employers to self-regulate occupational safety and health, thereby fostering the safety culture and raising the level of occupational safety of workers in the construction industry. Participants who complete the course and pass the assessment will receive a certificate jointly issued by UM and the Labour Affairs Bureau. In the past year, four intakes of the course have been held, and 108 participants were awarded the certificate.

In addition, in accordance with the Macao SAR government’s Law No. 2/2023 on occupational health and safety in the construction industry, UM and the Labour Affairs Bureau will jointly launch a course for construction safety officers in 2023, aiming to improve the standard of occupational safety and health and reduce the number of work accidents. The new course is planned to start in mid-September.

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/56382/

UM rector leads delegation to visit WHU, HUST

Yonghua Song, rector of the University of Macau (UM), recently led a delegation to visit Wuhan University (WHU) and Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST). During the visits, Song had in-depth discussions with the representatives of the two universities on promoting cooperation between UM and top universities in Hubei. Song also attended the Electrical Engineering Deans (Presidents) Forum 2023, where he and other experts and scholars from across the country shared their insights on the development of the electrical engineering discipline and the engineering field.

During the visit to Wuhan University, Song said that the two universities have deepened academic exchange, research collaboration, and exchange of students and faculty in recent years, and that they will launch a joint undergraduate programme. He also expressed hope that UM and WHU will continue to strengthen and expand cooperation, particularly in the fields of engineering and humanities. The UM delegation also visited the State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing and the College of Chinese Language and Literature of WHU, where the two sides reached a consensus on cooperation in fields such as autonomous driving and Internet of Things and discussed in-depth the establishment of a joint undergraduate programme in Chinese language and literature.

During the visit to Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Song said that the two universities have achieved fruitful research results since the establishment of their partnership in 2000, and a student exchange programme has been launched in recent years. He expressed hope that UM and HUST will leverage their respective advantages to deepen academic exchanges in various disciplines, particularly in the fields of engineering and medicine. The UM delegation also visited the State Key Laboratory of Intelligent Manufacturing Equipment and Technology and the School of Humanities of HUST, where the two sides had in-depth discussions on strengthening cooperation.

In addition, Song attended the Electrical Engineering Deans (Presidents) Forum 2023, where he delivered a speech on the principles of talent development embraced by world-class universities. He also shared UM’s talent development system that features whole-person education and the integration of disciplines.

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/56370/

UM, CICES jointly offer certificate courses

The Centre for Continuing Education of the University of Macau (UM) and the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) (Hong Kong Region) jointly offer the Advanced Professional Diploma in Construction Commercial Management (Quantity Surveying). The course aims to enhance the professional knowledge of industry practitioners, so as to promote the development of the construction industry and facilitate Macao’s economic diversification.

The diploma course consists of 210 hours of study. Its content meets the operational and development needs of the construction industry in Macao and is in line with international standards. Through the lectures given by the professional instructors, 30 participants gained an in-depth understanding of the current mode of quantity surveying and its internationally recognised elements, facilitating the promotion of quantity surveying applications in the industry.

Chau Chi Leung, a participant in the course, said that the course enables participants to deepen their knowledge of quantity surveying and construction commercial management, enhance their professional skills and understanding of the construction industry in Macao, and learn more about the application of international standards in quantity surveying and construction commercial management.

UM’s Centre for Continuing Education and CICES will jointly offer the Advanced Professional Diploma in Construction Commercial Management (Quantity Surveying) again in the coming September. In addition, the two parties will launch an advanced bridging course on quantity surveying and business management, with the aim of enhancing the professionalism of the industry practitioners and offering a more structured and professionally-accredited programme.

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/56355/

UM and renowned mainland universities jointly offer undergraduate programmes

The University of Macau (UM) offers joint undergraduate programmes in collaboration with several renowned universities in mainland China, such as Zhejiang University, Fudan University, South China University of Technology, East China Normal University, and Xiamen University. These programmes cover the fields of history, finance, mathematics education, biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, and civil engineering, with the aim of nurturing more high-calibre talent, raising the level of innovation and internationalisation of industries, and promoting economic development.

According to UM, the joint undergraduate programmes are designed to facilitate the development of the four emerging industries in Macao. By providing students with ample learning opportunities and allowing them to experience diverse cultures and enhance their competitiveness, the programmes aim to cultivate the talent needed for industrial diversification in the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin and even the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Details of the joint undergraduate programmes are as follows:

For the ‘2+4’ programme in biomedical sciences and clinical medicine jointly offered by UM and Zhejiang University, the normal study period is six years. Students have to complete the first two years of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences programme at UM, followed by four years of basic and clinical medicine courses and professional training such as clinical placements, at the Zhejiang University School of Medicine. On completion of the programme, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from UM and a Bachelor of Medicine in Clinical Medicine from Zhejiang University. Zhejiang University is a renowned university in mainland China, and the undergraduate programme in clinical medicine offered by its medical school attracts many top students from home and abroad every year. The joint programme is open to Macao, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and international students studying at UM, offering them the opportunity to study medicine at a leading university in the mainland.

For the ‘2.5+2.5’ programme in finance jointly offered by UM and Fudan University, the normal study period is five years. Students have to complete the first two and a half years of the Bachelor of Science in Finance programme at UM and the remaining two and a half years of the finance programme at Fudan University. On completion of the programme, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Finance from UM and a Bachelor of Economics in Finance from Fudan University. Modern finance is one of the four emerging industries contributing to Macao’s economic diversification. The programme aims to support the cultivation of top talent to promote the development of the modern financial services industry in Macao. It covers not only the basic knowledge of finance, but also the professional knowledge related to the financial industry in China.

For the ‘2+2’ programme in civil engineering jointly offered by UM and South China University of Technology (SCUT), the normal study period is four years. Students have to complete the first two years of the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering programme at UM and the remaining two years of the civil engineering programme at SCUT. On completion of the programme, students will receive a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from UM and a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from SCUT.

For the ‘1+2+1’ and ‘2+2’ programmes in education (mathematics) – mathematics and applied mathematics jointly offered by UM and East China Normal University, the normal study period is four years. Students have to study for two years at each university. UM students follow the ‘1+2+1’ model, where they study at UM for the first and fourth years and at ECNU for the middle two years. On the other hand, ECNU students adopt the ‘2+2’ model, where they study at ECNU for the first two years and at UM for the last two years of study. The internship will take place in Macao. On completion of the programme, students will receive a Bachelor of Education in Education (Mathematics) from UM and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Applied Mathematics from ECNU.

For the ‘2+2’ programme in history jointly offered by UM and Xiamen University, the normal study period is four years. Students have to complete the first two years of the Bachelor of Arts in History programme at UM and the remaining two years of the Bachelor of History programme at Xiamen University. On completion of the programme, students will receive a Bachelor of Arts in History from UM and a Bachelor of History from Xiamen University.

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/56349/

UM master’s student wins first prize for intelligent poetry generation system

Ma Jingkun, a master’s student in the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at the University of Macau (UM), won a first prize in the final round of the 17th Pan-Pearl River Delta+ University IT Project Competition for his project ‘Yu Sheng: Human-in-Loop Classical Chinese Poetry Generation System’. He won a third prize in the 10th ‘Sharing Cup’ Innovation Competition of Science and Technology Resources Sharing Service. The system uses artificial intelligence technology to simulate and assist in the creation of traditional Chinese poetry and provide a poetry creation platform that integrates automatic poetry generation and refinement for poetry lovers.

Ma developed the system using cutting-edge natural language processing and deep learning technologies under the guidance of his supervisor, Wong Fai, professor in the Natural Language Processing & Portuguese-Chinese Machine Translation Laboratory (NLP²CT) at UM. The system provides various customisation options to meet users’ diverse needs. It has a wide range of custom configuration functions for poetry, covering poetic features such as words, sentences, tones, and rhyme. In addition, it can provide dynamic and static two-dimensional refinement functions according to different scene settings. These include automatic refinement, inspiration expansion, poetry import, and analysis, enabling the system to cover the entire automated process of ‘generation + refinement’ of poetry. Based on large-scale pre-trained language models, the system is designed and optimised for relevant deep learning algorithms according to task scenarios. It also applies model acceleration technology to provide efficient and high-quality poetry creation and optimisation services.

In addition to the aforementioned awards, Ma also received a first prize in the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society (IES) Undergraduate Contest and a third prize in the IEEE Macau Student Branch Project Competition. He also entered the FST Dean’s Final Year Project List for the system. His paper on the system was also accepted by the European Chapter of the Association for Computational Linguistics (EACL 2023). For those who are interested in using the system, please visit https://yusheng.cis.um.edu.mo/.

UM is committed to cultivating high-calibre talent with global perspectives and innovation. The awards and academic achievements attained by Ma’s ‘Yu Sheng: Human-in-Loop Classical Chinese Poetry Generation System’ reflects the university’s efforts and achievements in the field of natural language processing and deep learning. UM hopes that in the future, more students will play a role in technological innovation at home and abroad and contribute to the development of science and technology in Macao and the country.

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/56333/

HKUST(GZ) president gives talk on AI and higher education at UM

The University of Macau (UM) today (21 August) held a talk titled ‘Preparing Talents for the Future: Impact of AIGC on Higher Education’, the first talk of its University Lecture Series in the new academic year. Lionel Ni, president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) (HKUST(GZ)) and chair professor of Computer Science and Engineering at HKUST, was the guest speaker. UM Rector Yonghua Song said in his speech that in the face of the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence (AIGC) in recent years, it is timely and appropriate to invite Ni, who has remarkable academic and research achievements and a wealth of experience in teaching, research, and management in higher education, to give a talk on the relationship between AIGC and higher education. During the talk, Ni discussed the development of higher education in the age of artificial intelligence (AI) and analysed how the application of AIGC reinforces the further shifts of jobs in the labour market. He also talked about how HKUST(GZ) prepares students to thrive in the AI-driven era and to be equipped for the future of the workforce by offering transformative learning experiences characterised by individualisation and a digitally enhanced environment. The talk attracted many UM students, faculty members, and members of the general public.

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/56325/

UM SKL-IOTSC holds Academic Committee meeting and reports on its progress

The State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City (SKL-IOTSC) of the University of Macau (UM) recently held its fifth Academic Committee meeting and reported on its latest research achievements and progress. The president and members of the committee highly praised the research achievements made by the laboratory.

The meeting was attended by Che Weng Keong, president of the Administrative Committee of the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Macao SAR; Mei Hong, Cheng Shijie, and Jin Hongguang, members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Fan Weicheng, Wang Endong, and Zhang Ping, members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Yonghua Song, rector of UM and director of SKL-IOTSC; Lionel Ni, founding president of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou); Lv Weifeng, vice president of Beihang University; Wu Jianping, professor at Tsinghua University; Jiang Tao, professor at Huazhong University of Science and Technology; and ten key researchers of SKL-IOTSC.

The meeting was chaired by Mei Hong, chair of the Academic Committee. Che Weng Keong said in his speech that SKL-IOTSC has made many significant breakthroughs since its inception. Under the leadership of Song and with the dedication of the researchers, it has made remarkable achievements and won a number of the Macao Science and Technology Award, the National Award for Excellence in Innovation, and the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Prize, which is regarded as the most prestigious award in the field of engineering in China. In the field of smart city development and technological innovation, the laboratory has built a world-class smart city research platform, covering a number of major areas such as urban big data, smart integrated energy management, autonomous driving technology, digital simulation of ocean disasters, and super intelligent computing. In response to the global energy crisis, it took UM as a pilot unit and has successfully developed the University of Macau Smart Integrated Energy Management Platform, which enables intelligent data collection and remote control of the energy system and effectively improves energy efficiency. The laboratory has also achieved remarkable results in the field of intelligent driving. It has developed the key technologies and platforms for Collaborative Intelligence‐driven Autonomous Vehicles and conducted testing and research on an autonomous bus for application in future intelligent transport systems. At the same time, the laboratory has developed a variety of sensors through unique and innovative research methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration, such as the use of fibre optic sensing technology for monitoring and early warning of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge. These achievements of the laboratory provide strong support for the sustainable development and intelligent transformation of cities.

Song said that SKL-IOTSC will continue to adhere to its commitment, take outstanding talent as the cornerstone, and reach new heights in scientific research, so as to contribute to the city’s intelligent transformation and sustainable development with its strengths in science and technology and make substantial contributions to the development strategies of Macao and the country.

In addition, Ma Shaodan, associate director of SKL-IOTSC, reported on the development progress and research results of the laboratory in 2023 and introduced its future development plan and key tasks. The members of the Academic Committee highly praised the laboratory’s achievements in scientific and technological innovation, talent cultivation, industry-academia collaboration, and open research projects. They also suggested that it should strive to make progress in major research projects, deepen research on fundamental theories and technologies, continuously promote the commercialisation of research results, and make full use of Macao’s strengths to participate in major national science and technology projects.

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/56324/