UM, Well Link Bank sign MOU and co-organise essay competition

The Centre for Macau Studies (CMS) of the University of Macau (UM) and Well Link Bank today (2 August) jointly held the MOU Signing Ceremony and Press Conference on 2023 Essay Competition for High School Students at UM. Both parties expressed hope that the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) can help realise the complementarity of resources and mutual support between industry and academia. The essay competition also marks an important milestone in the cooperation between the two parties.

The MOU was signed by Agnes Lam Iok Fong, director of the CMS, and Chong Sio Fai, executive director and chief executive officer of Well Link Bank, under the witness of Long Wai Lam, registrar of UM, and Lao Pun Lap, independent non-executive director of Well Link Bank. According to Agnes Lam, with the signing of the MOU, the CMS and Well Link Bank will work together to promote the heritage and development of Chinese culture, especially in the areas of primary, secondary and higher education in Macao. The CMS, as one of the member units of the Macao Base for Primary & Secondary Education in Humanities & Social Sciences, organised the essay competition with the aim of encouraging youth people in Macao to reflect on Macao’s past and future in light of the 5000 years of civilisation of the country. It is hoped that the participants will explore, from their perspectives, how Chinese civilisation can play a role in today’s society in order to contribute to national development and the progress of human civilisation.

Chong said that history is the best teacher, as it does not only record what has happened, but also provides inspiration for future development. He added that only by remembering history can a future be built, and only by being good at inheritance can innovation be fostered. Well Link Bank is committed to fulfilling its social responsibilities by encouraging the youth to think more, make more suggestions, learn about the history and culture of the country, and then become future pillars of society who love the country and Macao.

The essay competition is co-organised by the CMS, Well Link Bank, and the Centre for Chinese History and Culture (CCHC) of UM. It aims to enable young people in Macao to gain a better understanding of Chinese history and culture, while leveraging their creativity and imagination to combine their knowledge of history with real-life experience. The CCHC will be in charge of the judging process. For more details, please visit the event website: https://cms.um.edu.mo/wlbankessaycontest/?lang=zh-hant.

The event was also attended by Huang Rui Sheng, executive director and executive vice president of Well Link Bank; Angel Tang, associate director of the CMS; Leona Kuan, representative of the director of the CCHC; and representatives of the Macao Base for Primary & Secondary Education in Humanities & Social Sciences, among others.

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/56173/

UM rector attends World University Presidents Forum to discuss changes of time and missions of universities

Yonghua Song, rector of the University of Macau (UM), attended the World University Presidents Forum in Beijing, where he delivered a keynote speech and discussed with university leaders and representatives from around the world the changes of time and the missions of universities. In his keynote speech, Song pointed out that the concept of talent cultivation in leading universities emphasises whole-person education and interdisciplinary integration. He added that UM fully leverages its multicultural environment, international education setup, and whole-person education system underpinned by faculties and residential colleges. The university actively explores a talent cultivation system that integrates whole-person education and interdisciplinary integration, bringing new ideas and solutions to forward-looking talent cultivation. As a co-organiser of the forum, UM also invited Luís Ferreira, rector of the University of Lisbon, to attend the forum and share his insights on how higher education can promote intercultural learning in an interconnected world. In addition, Song, who also serves as the vice president of the China Association of Higher Education, was invited to attend the association’s 40th anniversary celebration.

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/56168/

UM professor receives prestigious awards at home and abroad for structural health monitoring research

Yan Wangji, associate professor in the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City of the University of Macau (UM), has been awarded the Junior Research Prize from the European Association for Structural Dynamics (EASD), making him the first Chinese young scholar to receive the award. The EASD jury appreciated his innovative scientific accomplishments in the areas of modal identification, Bayesian uncertainty quantification, computational dynamics and structural health monitoring. This prestigious recognition is awarded every three years to researchers who have made outstanding and sustained contributions to the field of structural dynamics. Some of Yan’s research projects were supported by the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Macao SAR.

In addition, Yan has received a second-class award in the natural science category of the Higher Education Outstanding Scientific Research Output Awards (Science and Technology) 2022 from the Ministry of Education for his involvement as the second contributor in the research project ‘Fundamental Study of Uncertainty Quantification in Health Monitoring for Civil Engineering Structures’. The project is an in-depth study on fundamental scientific issues relating to uncertainty quantification in structural health monitoring. The theoretical developments of the project have been followed by renowned research institutes, both at home and abroad, in the fields of civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering, and have been applied to a number of important civil engineering structures.

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/56169/

UM’s Portuguese Language Summer Course ends

The Department of Portuguese of the University of Macau (UM) Faculty of Arts and Humanities recently held a closing ceremony for the 37th Portuguese Language Summer Course. During the ceremony, students showcased their learning outcomes over the past three weeks through dance performances and poetry recitations. Certificates were also presented to those who had fulfilled the course requirement.

During the three-week language course and cultural activities, 280 students from mainland China, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and Macao had a fulfilling time at UM. According to Zhou Jun, a participant in the course, the summer course allowed students to experience university life at the UM campus and the unique culture of Macao. They also improved their listening, speaking, reading, writing, and translation skills in Portuguese through a variety of courses, and discovered the charm of the culture and art of Portuguese-speaking countries through different activities.

In addition to the language course, this year’s Portuguese Language Summer Course included seminars on translation and interpretation, history, and contemporary Portugal. Students also participated in workshops on Portuguese folk dance, capoeira, poetry and music, and oenology. The course materials and videos were made available on an online platform to facilitate students’ independent learning after class. Moreover, a series of activities such as concerts, dance performances, and visits to famous sightseeing spots in Macao were arranged for the participants.

The closing ceremony also included a farewell dinner to celebrate the conclusion of the summer programme. This year’s Portuguese Language Summer Course was supported by the Macao Foundation, Macao Government Tourism Office, the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau, Casa de Portugal em Macau, and Axé Capoeira Macau.

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/56152/

ULisboa rector, who visits UM, calls on chief executive of Macao SAR

Accompanied by Rector Yonghua Song and Vice Rector Rui Martins of the University of Macau (UM), Rector of the University of Lisbon (ULisboa) Luís Ferreira called on Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Ho Iat Seng. During the meeting, the two parties exchanged views on deepening cooperation in areas such as scientific research, education, and talent cultivation, as well as promoting the development of higher education in Macao and Portugal. Ferreira also visited UM to further implement various collaborations.

The chief executive of the Macao SAR thanked Ferreira for his warm reception during his visit to ULisboa in April this year. He remarked that Macao has a solid foundation and advantages for the sustainable development of Portuguese language education, academic and research, and talent cultivation for tourism. In recent years, higher education institutions in Macao and Portugal have implemented a number of collaborations, which take their partnership in the areas of higher education and technology to the next level. It is hoped that UM and ULisboa will jointly accelerate the projects under the cooperation agreement in the field of medical sciences signed by the two universities. At the same time, Macao will continue to play its role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to promote academic and research collaborations between higher education institutions in mainland China, Macao, and Portugal, and facilitate quality exchanges between higher education institutions in mainland China and Portugal.

Ferreira said that this visit to Macao enabled him to learn about the rapid development of Macao’s higher education institutions in various fields in recent years, including the establishment of several state key laboratories and the achievement of a number of groundbreaking research results. ULisboa is the oldest and largest public higher education institution in Portugal. It has one of the best research capabilities in the world in the field of medical sciences, with state-of-the-art laboratories and world-class research results. He also expressed hope that ULisboa and UM will foster further collaborations in medical sciences, with the aim of contributing to Macao in scientific research, academic development, and talent cultivation, and improving the well-being of people in Macao.

During his time in Macao, Ferreira also paid a visit to UM, where he visited the University Gallery, the library, a residential college, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, and the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City. He spoke highly of the university’s development of research and education in recent years. He also expressed hope that UM and ULisboa will continue to strengthen their cooperation and exchanges, so as to cultivate top talent for China and Portugal and open a new chapter in higher education cooperation between the two countries.

According to UM Rector Yonghua Song, after the signing of the strategic cooperation framework agreement in April this year, the two universities have implemented a series of collaborations in various academic fields. These include the establishment of a joint research centre, the organisation of annual joint meetings, and the development of joint PhD programmes. He hopes that through this visit, the two universities will further promote their collaborations and explore more opportunities for cooperation.

UM representatives who received Ferreira during his visit to the university included Tong Io Cheng, dean of the Faculty of Law; Chen Xin, director of the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences; Xu Renhe, associate dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences; Cheung Kwok Cheung, interim college master of Moon Chun Memorial College; Mak Pui In, director of the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI; Wu Jianzhong, university librarian; Xu Jie, interim director of the Centre for Regional Oceans; Zhou Wanhuan and Gong Zhiguo, professors in the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City; and Cherry Mok, acting director of the Global Affairs Office.

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/56137/

Delegation from Beijing Language and Culture University visits UM

A delegation led by Duan Peng, president of Beijing Language and Culture University, visited the University of Macau (UM) today (27 July) and was warmly received by UM Rector Yonghua Song. During the visit, Song introduced to the delegation UM’s history and development and expressed hope that the two universities will further expand their areas of cooperation and deepen interdisciplinary research collaboration. The delegation visited the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences, and the UM Library to learn about the university’s academic layout and development, research projects and achievements, and campus culture and facilities. The two parties also exchanged views on academic collaboration and talent cultivation. Duan spoke highly of UM’s development in talent cultivation and research and education. He also expressed hope that the two universities will strengthen their cooperation and jointly promote academic and research development in Beijing 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/56144/

Rectors of UM and ULisboa call on Chief Executive of Macao SAR

Accompanied by Rector Yonghua Song and Vice Rector Rui Martins of the University of Macau (UM), Rector of the University of Lisbon (ULisboa) Luís Ferreira called on Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Ho Iat Seng. During the meeting, the two parties exchanged views on deepening cooperation in areas such as scientific research, education, and talent cultivation, as well as promoting the development of higher education in Macao and Portugal. Ferreira also visited UM to further implement various collaborations.

The chief executive of the Macao SAR thanked Ferreira for his warm reception during his visit to ULisboa in April this year. He remarked that Macao has a solid foundation and advantages for the sustainable development of Portuguese language education, academic and research, and talent cultivation for tourism. In recent years, higher education institutions in Macao and Portugal have implemented a number of collaborations, which take their partnership in the areas of higher education and technology to the next level. It is hoped that UM and ULisboa will jointly accelerate the projects under the cooperation agreement in the field of medical sciences signed by the two universities. At the same time, Macao will continue to play its role as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to promote academic and research collaborations between higher education institutions in mainland China, Macao, and Portugal, and facilitate quality exchanges between higher education institutions in mainland China and Portugal.

Ferreira said that this visit to Macao enabled him to learn about the rapid development of Macao’s higher education institutions in various fields in recent years, including the establishment of several state key laboratories and the achievement of a number of groundbreaking research results. ULisboa is the oldest and largest public higher education institution in Portugal. It has one of the best research capabilities in the world in the field of medical sciences, with state-of-the-art laboratories and world-class research results. He also expressed hope that ULisboa and UM will foster further collaborations in medical sciences, with the aim of contributing to Macao in scientific research, academic development, and talent cultivation, and improving the well-being of people in Macao.

During his time in Macao, Ferreira also paid a visit to UM, where he visited the University Gallery, the library, a residential college, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, and the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City. He spoke highly of the university’s development of research and education in recent years. He also expressed hope that UM and ULisboa will continue to strengthen their cooperation and exchanges, so as to cultivate top talent for China and Portugal and open a new chapter in higher education cooperation between the two countries.

According to UM Rector Yonghua Song, after the signing of the strategic cooperation framework agreement in April this year, the two universities have implemented a series of collaborations in various academic fields. These include the establishment of a joint research centre, the organisation of annual joint meetings, and the development of joint PhD programmes. He hopes that through this visit, the two universities will further promote their collaborations and explore more opportunities for cooperation.

UM representatives who received Ferreira during his visit to the university included Tong Io Cheng, dean of the Faculty of Law; Chen Xin, director of the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences; Xu Renhe, associate dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences; Cheung Kwok Cheung, interim college master of Moon Chun Memorial College; Mak Pui In, director of the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI; Wu Jianzhong, university librarian; Xu Jie, interim director of the Centre for Regional Oceans; Zhou Wanhuan and Gong Zhiguo, professors in the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City; and Cherry Mok, acting director of the Global Affairs Office.

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/56137/

Delegation from Brazilian government visits UM

A delegation led by Guilherme Coutinho Calheiros, secretary for Technological Development and Innovation of the Brazilian Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, visited the University of Macau (UM) and was warmly received by Rector Yonghua Song and Vice Rector Rui Martins. At the University Gallery, Song gave a welcome speech to the delegation and briefly introduced the history and development of UM. Martins introduced the delegation members to UM’s cooperation with universities in Brazil and other Portuguese-speaking countries. The two parties also exchanged views on the development of research and education, and talent cultivation. The delegation then visited the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI and the library. Members of the delegation praised the university for its achievements in talent cultivation and research and innovation, as well as its beautiful campus environment. Calheiros said that the Brazilian government would continue to encourage universities in Brazil to strengthen their cooperation with UM and promote their academic and research 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/56106/

Students from UM and ECNU learn about Shanghai and Macao’s culture

To foster exchanges between universities in Macao and Shanghai, Chao Kuang Piu College (CKPC) of the University of Macau (UM) and Meng Xian Cheng College of the East China Normal University (ECNU) jointly organised the summer exchange programme ‘City and Culture: Focus on Shanghai and Macau’. 20 participants from the two colleges visited Shanghai and Macao and conducted field studies in humanities, geography, science and technology, culture and creativity, and nature. During their time in Shanghai, the participants visited the Shanghai Museum, the Guangfulin Relics Park, and more. They were also divided into five groups to visit different parts of Shanghai to explore the city’s historical and cultural heritage as well as its local customs. In addition, the participants from the two colleges formed a big team to introduce the cultural heritage, cuisines, street characteristics, and local customs of Shanghai and Macao to primary school students in Wujing, a town in Shanghai. During their visit to Macao, the participants learned about the world heritage sites in Macao. They also visited a number of famous landmarks including the Ruins of St. Paul’s and Mount Fortress to explore the Historic Centre of Macao and experience the city’s unique blend of Western and Chinese cultures.

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/56104/

UM organises summer camp for outstanding students of partner universities

The University of Macau (UM) organised the Summer Camp for Outstanding Students of UM Partner Universities 2023, with the aim of enabling outstanding students from around the world to gain a deeper understanding of Macao and the university. The summer camp attracted more than 70 students from 49 universities, including UM’s partner universities at home and abroad, as well as those within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance and the Alliance for Technology, Innovation, and Talent Development in Western Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area. The participants came from renowned universities at home and abroad, such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the University of Barcelona in Spain, and the Singapore University of Technology and Design. At the opening ceremony of the summer camp, UM Vice Rector Rui Martins expressed hope that the participants would gain a better understanding of the Macao SAR and the university through a series of thematic talks, visits, and field trips. During the four-day summer camp, the participants attended a number of thematic talks on Macao and the Greater Bay Area, as well as the Portuguese language courses. They also visited the Historic Centre of Macao to experience the unique Macao culture.

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/56088/