ZUMRI, Amicro inaugurate joint laboratory

Zhuhai UM Science & Technology Research Institute (ZUMRI) and Amicro Semiconductor Co Ltd (Amicro) held a plaque unveiling ceremony for the ZUMRI-Amicro Joint Laboratory today (6 June). The joint laboratory will focus on the research and application of integrated circuit (IC) and robotics technologies, with the aim of building itself into a demonstration base for industry-academia collaboration between Hengqin and Macao, and promoting the quality development of the IC industry in Hengqin, Macao, and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Zhang Ge, deputy director of the Executive Committee of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, said in his speech that a series of policies have been introduced to promote the IC industry in the cooperation zone and the inauguration of the joint laboratory marks a milestone in the history of cooperation between Hengqin and Macao. Rui Martins, vice rector of the University of Macau (UM), noted in his speech that the establishment of the joint laboratory will facilitate the application of research results in the industry. Wang Chunming, deputy director of ZUMRI; Jiang Xinqiao, co-founder and senior vice president of Amicro; and Ung Choi Kun, president of the Macao Wisdom Humanities Encourage Political Association also delivered a speech at the event. After the ceremony, experts from UM and Amicro shared their latest results in chip research.

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/55807/

UM successfully develops immunoadjuvant flex-patch to prevent tumour relapses 

A team led by Yunlu Dai, the associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) of the University of Macau (UM) has made a significant breakthrough in postoperative cancer therapy in a research collaboration with a team led by Chu-Xia Deng, dean of the FHS, UM. The research teams developed a flex-patch to fuel metastatic sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs), activating tumour antigen-specific CD8+ T cells and their memory subsets to facilitate long-term tumour-specific immune protection. The study has received considerable attention in the field and has been published in the international journal Nature Communications.

The study confirms the positive role of tumour-infiltrating SLNs in postoperative immune regulation, resolving the clinical debate over whether lymph nodes must be surgically removed. In recent years, an increasing number of clinical researchers have questioned the necessity of removing SLNs during surgery. For example, in breast cancer, after tracking a large number of patients with existing SLN metastasis, it was found that the removal of axillary lymph nodes had little impact on the disease-free survival of surgical patients. Furthermore, as the first lymph nodes to receive tumor drainage, SLNs contain a rich population of immune cells that receive stimulation from tumour antigens and are crucial for the production of tumour-specific anti-tumour T cells. However, these T cells are susceptible to immune suppression by invading cancer cells, presenting a dilemma in the fight against cancer. Exploring the immune suppression status of T cells in SLNs and specifically activating their anti-tumour immune function is of great significance for optimising clinical surgical procedures and improving postoperative patient recovery.

The team leveraged multiple analytic methods, including single-cell RNA sequencing and glycolytic analysis, to study metastatic SLNs from the orthotopic 4T1 breast tumour model. In addition to expressing PD-1, activated CD8+ T cells from metastatic SLNs enriched the citric acid cycle and oxidative phosphorylation pathways and did not meet the bioenergetic requirements per se for killing. Instead, they primarily relied on aerobic respiration to maintain their basic energy needs. Hence, the teams developed a biologically safe and immune-fueling flex-patch for SLN reshaping. After the surgical removal of the tumour and retention of the SLN, a flex-patch was implanted on the postoperative wound (Figure 1). The patch can slowly release the immunotherapeutic anti-PD-1 antibody (aPD-1) and nanoadjuvants (magnesium iron-layered double hydroxide, LDH) by responding to the surrounding microenvironment. Through the lymphatic and blood vessels between the tumor and SLN, both types of treatment agents can cross spatial and temporal barriers to reach the SLN. The therapeutic antibody targets PD-1 on the surface of activated CD8+ T cells, which can upregulate their glycolysis activity and tumour killing ability but has no effect on inactive CD8+ T cells. LDH nanoadjuvants, different from aPD-1, comprehensively promoted CD8+ T cell effector function (e.g. activation and cytotoxic killing) via Mg2+/Fe3+-mediated shaping. Ultimately, the levels of tumour antigen-specific CD8+ T cells in patch-driven metastatic SLNs were significantly upregulated, improving postsurgical immunoadjuvant therapy. This flex-patch bridges the gap between SLN immunoreshaping and postsurgical treatment.

It is worth noting that the biocompatible chitosan derivative (CC in Figure 1) was selected as the flex-patch matrix, ensuring that the regulation of SLN immune efficacy would not affect postoperative wound healing. The patch is easy to use and can be directly attached to the wound after tumour removal, without causing secondary harm to the patient. In addition, the treatment components carried by the patch can be flexibly adjusted, which is expected to promote the innovation of personalised postoperative adjuvant therapy.

Prof Dai and Prof Deng are the corresponding authors of the study. FHS Research Assistant Professor Li Bei, Assistant Professor Miao Kai, and PhD graduate Wang Guohao share the co-first authorship. Others who have contributed to the study include postdoctoral fellows Lei Haipeng, Xie Lisi, and Yan Jie, PhD student Zhang Aiping, as well as FHS research assistants Sun Liangyu, Yu Xinwang, and Li Wenxi. The Proteomics, Metabolomics and Drug Development Core, Animal Research Core and Biological Imaging and Stem Cell Core of FHS have also provided tremendous support for the study. This project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (File no: NSFC 32222090, 32101069 and 32171318), UM (File no: MYRG2022-00011-FHS), the Science and Technology Development Fund, Macao SAR (File no: 0109/2018/A3, 0011/2019/AKP, 0113/2019/A2, 0103/2021/A, 0092/2020/AMJ, and 0002/2021/AKP), Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macau Science and Technology Programme Plan C (File no: SGDX20201103093600004 and SGDX20201103092601008), and Dr Stanley Ho Medical Development Foundation (SHMDF-OIRFS/2022/002). The full version of the research article can be viewed at https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-38245-7.

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/55806/

UM to hold Congregation on 10 June

The University of Macau (UM) will hold the Congregation 2023 on 10 June (Saturday) at 4:00pm in the UM Sports Complex (N8) to present graduation certificates to this year’s graduates of bachelor’s degree programmes. The graduation ceremony will continue to be held in a format that combines online and in-person elements, in order to allow graduates and their families and friends from around the world to participate in the event.

This year, more than 1,700 students from bachelor’s degree programmes will receive graduation certificates. They come from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences, and Faculty of Science and Technology. Out of these students, 126 have completed programmes offered by the Honours College.

Graduates will be admitted to the main stadium for the ceremony. Friends and relatives of the students with admission tickets can watch the live broadcast of the ceremony in three areas on campus, including the Training Hall in the UM Sports Complex (N8), the University Hall (N2), and the Multi-function Hall in the UM Guest House (N1). In addition, graduates and their family members and friends who are unable to attend the ceremony in person can watch the live streaming of the ceremony on UM’s official website at https://www.um.edu.mo/news/umtv/, WeChat channel: 澳大此刻, Weibo account: 澳門大學 (https://weibo.com/universityofmacau), or YouTube channel: University Of Macau (https://www.youtube.com/universityofmacau).

Those attending the ceremony can reach the UM campus by (A) taxi, bus route No 71 or 73 from Macao, or bus route No 72 from Taipa; or (B) driving (parking spaces are available at the outdoor car park P1A near the UM Stadium (N9), and visitor car parks P3, P5, and P6). For more details, please visit the UM Registry’s webpage for graduates at https://reg.um.edu.mo/graduation/congregation/current-year/general-information/.

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/55800/

UM selected as pilot unit for national platform for remote sensing data and application services

A delegation led by Zhao Jing, director-general of the National Remote Sensing Center of China under the Ministry of Science and Technology, visited the University of Macau (UM) and was warmly received by UM Rector Yonghua Song. The two sides discussed and exchanged views on UM being selected as one of the pilot units of the second batch of the national platform for remote sensing data and application services and on future cooperation in regional data sharing, talent development, and integrated applications. According to Song, the national platform for remote sensing data and application services is an integrated system for sharing remote sensing resources and application services at the national level, adding that UM’s participation in the system reflects the great importance and support of the central government for Macao’s scientific research and development. Members of the delegation visited the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City and discussed the sharing of open datasets and the application of remote sensing data in urban disaster prevention and mitigation with UM researchers. They also exchanged views on the future development plans of both parties and explored opportunities for cooperation.

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/55799/

UM MITMI holds committee meeting

The Steering Committee and the Academic Committee of the Macau Institute for Translational Medicine and Innovation (MITMI) of the University of Macau (UM) recently held their second meeting in Guangzhou and Macao, which combined both online and in-person elements. Experts participating in the meeting comprehensively evaluated MITMI’s recent development, spoke highly of its development direction, and recognised its achievements in regulatory science research.

The meeting featured two panel discussions, chaired by Yang Zifeng, member of the MITMI Steering Committee, and Tang Jianyuan, deputy director of the MITMI Academic Committee, respectively. Zhao Yonghua, interim associate head of MITMI, presented the work progress of the institute in 2022 in the application of a national technology transfer demonstration institution in Macao, project translation, regulatory science, research and exchanges, as well as the work plan for 2023. The participating experts fully recognised MITMI’s development and achievements over the past year and provided a series of suggestions for the institute’s future work.

Zhong Nanshan, president of the MITMI Steering Committee and director of the MITMI Academic Committee, spoke highly of the institute’s achievements in 2022 and made two suggestions. Firstly, MITMI should make every effort for the application of a national technology transfer demonstration institution in Macao. Macao has a great geographical advantage, which is conducive to the establishment of a national technology transfer demonstration institution. It is hoped that all parties will leverage the strategic planning and resources provided by the country for Macao. Secondly, MITMI should promote work in all areas by drawing upon the experience gained on key points. By selecting one or two traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the institute can work with the National Medical Products Administration, the Guangdong Medical Products Administration, the Pharmaceutical Administration Bureau of Macao, and the Department of Health of Hong Kong to address issues related to the current TCM evaluation and approval regulation. In addition, the academia, industry, and regulatory bodies in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao should consider working together to formulate common standards for TCM in the Greater Bay Area in order to achieve mutual recognition and communication.

The MITMI Academic Committee members then reviewed and approved the Regulations for Open Research Projects Management of the Macau Institute for Translational Medicine and Innovation of the University of Macau, as well as the Application Guidelines for Open Research Projects of the Macau Institute for Translational Medicine and Innovation of the University of Macau in 2023.

Guest attending the meeting included Che Weng Keong, acting deputy director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of Macao; Chen Xin, director of the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences of UM, representative of UM Vice Rector Ge Wei; Ip Kuai Lam, member of the Administrative Committee of the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao; Chan Chou Weng. acting head of the Technology Department of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of Macao; Zhong Weiyue, member of the MITMI Steering Committee; Li Shaoping, deputy director of the MITMI Academic Committee; Wang Yitao, founding director of the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences of UM; Jiang Zhihong, vice president of the Macau University of Science and Technology; Sun Xiaobo, director of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Yang Zhongqi, deputy director of the First Affiliated Hospital of the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine; Zhang Lei, executive deputy director of Shanghai Innovation Center of TCM Health Service, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; Dou Jinhui, chief scientific officer of Jiangsu Tripod Preclinical Research Laboratories Co, Ltd; and Chen Jianghan, director of the Institute of Analysis, Guangdong Academy of Sciences (China National Analytical Center, Guangzhou).

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/55791/

ZUMRI holds ‘Tinmuk Salon’ research results transfer and investment and financing sharing session

The Zhuhai UM Science & Technology Research Institute (ZUMRI) held the second ‘Tinmuk Salon’ research results transfer and investment and financing sharing session, with the aim of building a bridge between investment and financing, promoting the integration of technology and capital, driving technological innovation and entrepreneurship, and contributing to the commercialisation of UM’s research results. At the event, Chi Tenghui, director of the Financial Development Bureau of the Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin; Chui Tinyol, president of directors of Macau Industry-University-Research Collaboration Association; and Wang Chunming, interim director of the Research Services and Knowledge Transfer Office and deputy director of ZUMRI, delivered a speech, respectively. During the roundtable discussion, representatives from the industry and higher education institutions discussed topics such as the investment and financing for the commercialisation of research results, experiences and suggestions on investing and financing research results in universities, and risks and challenges of entrepreneurship for scientists.

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/55786/

UM’s FST holds FST Symposium and final year project exhibition

The Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) of the University of Macau (UM) recently held the second FST Symposium and the Dean’s Final Year Project List Presentation Ceremony and Project Exhibition. The event showcased the research projects and results of a number of graduating students and attracted over 100 industry practitioners, management team members of enterprises, government officials, professors, and students.

In his speech, Xu Chengzhong, dean of the FST, said that the faculty has always been committed to innovation and interdisciplinary research. By holding symposiums, FST facilitates exchanges and stimulates innovative thinking, providing more opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations to address social development needs. He added that the final year project exhibitions organised by the FST over the years have successfully applied research results in classrooms to the industry, while promoting the collaboration between enterprises and universities in Macao. FST will continue to promote the commercialisation of research results, enhance the effectiveness of industry-academia collaboration, and actively cultivate professionals. He expressed hope that in such a way, the faculty will bring influential professionals and research results to Macao and the global community, in order to create an environment that is conducive to research and innovation.

At the symposium, scholars from different fields shared their fruitful research results, including Liu Qun, chief scientist of Speech and Language Computing at Huawei. The symposium covered many different fields, including autonomous driving, large language model, cognitive and brain science, wireless communication, and multimedia forensics and security. Some of the research results were exhibited in the form of posters, which enriched the content of the symposium. The Research Excellence Award for PhD Students and the Best Poster Award were also presented to encourage outstanding doctoral students.

In addition, the final year project exhibition showcased 30 research projects and results from graduating students. 41 outstanding students from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Department of Computer and Information Science, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Department of Electromechanical Engineering, Department of Mathematics and Department of Physics and Chemistry were awarded for their projects. These projects covered various fields, including marine monitoring, cultural heritage conservation, computer graphics and visual computing, health monitoring, architectural design, wireless charging, and artificial intelligence. The exhibition allowed the industry to appreciate the creativity of the students, discover their strengths, and design products that can make life easier and meet the needs of society.

Guests who attended the opening ceremony of the event included Che Weng Keong, acting deputy director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau; Wong Kin Mou, head of the Department of Educational Research and Planning, Education and Youth Development Bureau; Ip Chong Wa, member of the Board of Directors of the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau; Ricky de Sousa, director of facilities of Sands China Ltd; Wong Shu Hung, executive director of FSE Lifestyle Services Limited; Nick Ng, director of Business Consultation Department, BoardWare Information System Limited; Eugene Xu, deputy general manager of Guangzhou Zhongzhi Software Development Co Ltd; and Jasmine Tong, account manager of InfoMacro Information Technology Limited.

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/55778/

UM Rector Yonghua Song receives National Innovation Excellence Award

The Celebration of the National Science and Technology Workers’ Day and National Innovation Excellence Award Ceremony, co-organised by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the China Association for Science and Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, was held in Beijing today (30 May). At the event, Yonghua Song, rector of the University of Macau (UM), was honoured with the Third National Innovation Excellence Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to science and technology and social services. He is also the only scientist from Macao to receive the award this year.

Song has played an active role in driving the development of innovation in the Macao SAR and has made remarkable contributions to talent development, science popularisation, decision-making consultation, opening up and collaboration, technological innovation, and commercialisation of research results. Under his leadership, significant reforms have been implemented in the whole-person education system of UM’s residential colleges. He also spearheaded the establishment of the first national science education base in Macao, as well as the training of patriotic and innovative talent. Song has long served as an advisor to the Macao SAR government’s Science and Technology Committee, leading several major science and technology decision-making projects and contributing to Macao’s smart city development. His advocacy efforts include the establishment of the China-Portuguese Speaking Countries Ocean Research Alliance and other science and technology alliances, which helps promote international cooperation in science and technology. In addition, Song led the establishment of the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, and oversaw the establishment of Macao’s first industry-academia demonstration base in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. He also undertook Macao’s first key research and development project in the energy sector, facilitating the integration of Macao’s technological innovation into national development. Song has received awards such as a second prize of the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award, the prize for Scientific and Technological Progress from the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation, and the Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Award.

The National Innovation Excellence Award was jointly established in 2017 by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, the China Association for Science and Technology, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. The award is presented every three years to acknowledge collectives and individuals who have made outstanding contributions in areas such as fundamental research and cutting-edge exploration, major equipment and engineering breakthroughs, achievements in research results transfer and innovation and entrepreneurship, and social services. The National Innovation Excellence Award is another major science and technology award in China, following the National Natural Science Award, the National Technology Invention Award, and the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award. It is an important component of the national science and technology award system, and serves as an organic link between the award and major talent programmes in the country. It is a prominent accolade in the field of science and technology, second only to the Highest Science and Technology Award.

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/55776/

Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Energy Science and Technology Alliance officially established

To respond to the development needs of China, as well as regions such as Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao in energy-related professions, and to help the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area become an international technology and innovation centre and an international education demonstration zone, the University of Macau (UM), the Southern University of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Sun Yat-sen University jointly initiated the establishment of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Energy Science and Technology Alliance under the framework of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance. The signing ceremony and the Carbon Neutral Energy Forum for Universities in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao were held today (29 May) at UM, marking the official establishment of the alliance.

At the signing ceremony of the alliance, Tang Zikang, director of the Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering at UM; Zhao Tianshou, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, director of the Energy Institute for Carbon Neutrality at the Southern University of Science and Technology; Gao Furong, director of the Center for Polymer Processing and Systems at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and Yao Xiangdong, dean of the School of Advanced Energy at Sun Yat-sen University, signed an agreement on the establishment of the alliance. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Shi Shuzheng, deputy director of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Wong Kin Mou, acting deputy director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of Macao; Yonghua Song, rector of UM; Jin Li, vice president of the Southern University of Science and Technology; and Guo Liejin, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, professor at Xi’an Jiaotong University, and director of the engineering department at Sun Yat-sen University.

In his speech, Song said that UM is committed to the national carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, and has a systematic layout and has made sustained effort in academic research and talent development in the field of energy science and technology. At the same time, the university has attached great importance to cooperation with the Southern University of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Sun Yat-sen University. He expressed hope that, with the signing of the agreement, the alliance will become an important platform for the exchange of ideas and the growth of top talent in energy science and technology in the Greater Bay Area, as well as a cradle of cutting-edge energy technology research and development and research results transfer in the region, so as to drive the innovative development of the energy industry in the Greater Bay Area, and even the whole country, and to help realise the national carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals.

The Carbon Neutral Energy Forum for Universities in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao was moderated by Tang Zikang. The forum focused on areas such as energy science and technology, and carbon emissions reduction. In the forum, Guo Liejin, Zhao Tianshou, Gao Furong, and other experts and scholars from higher education institutions gave keynote speeches and led in-depth discussions. Guo gave a speech on the topic of ‘Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality Goals – Development Direction of Advanced Coal Conversion Technology and Industry’, exploring the importance of the clean use of traditional energy sources represented by coal to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. He also shared his views on the application of coal supercritical water gasification cogeneration and other related technologies, as well as the future development directions of the coal industry and suggestions for countermeasures. Focusing on the bottleneck of large-scale energy storage in renewable energy utilization, Zhao gave a keynote speech on ‘Storing Solar Energy with E-fuels’ to discuss efficient, safe, scalable renewable liquid fuel storage technologies and emphasise the importance of energy storage systems in the application of new energy power systems. Gao, with the topic of ‘Introduction of Battery Management System Frontier Technologies’, shared intelligent battery management technologies, such as battery charge status and health status estimation, and battery data compression and reconstruction.

During the forum, a number of researchers from UM, the Southern University of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Sun Yat-sen University also gave presentations and shared their research achievements. In addition, there were question-and-answer sessions and discussion sessions, where many participants seized the opportunity to ask questions and have in-depth discussions with the keynote speakers.

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/55771/

UM and European universities agree on various cooperation initiatives

Yonghua Song, rector of the University of Macau (UM), led a delegation to visit leading higher education institutions in Europe to explore collaboration in teaching and research. During these visits, Song also signed strategic cooperation agreements with the University of Coimbra and the University of Porto in Portugal to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in research and education with European universities.

According to Song, UM is committed to the development orientation of ‘being rooted in Macao, taking part in the development of the Greater Bay Area, integrating into the nation, and going international’. The visit achieved initial progress in expanding academic exchanges and cooperation with the world’s leading universities. These efforts have not only strengthened the university’s academic standing and international influence, but have also supported Macao’s economic diversification through international talent development. In the future, UM will strengthen its cooperation with top higher education institutions and research institutions, enhance its research capacity and teaching quality, and contribute to the development of Macao and the establishment of an international education demonstration zone in the Greater Bay Area.

Song accompanied Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ao Ieong U and other representatives of the Macao SAR government in their visit to the University of Coimbra. The two parties discussed ways of deepening cooperation between Macao and Portugal in the fields of higher education and research. In the presence of Ao Ieong U, UM signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement with the University of Coimbra, as well as a tripartite memorandum of understanding with the University of Coimbra and the Renmin University of China.

With the signing of the agreement, UM and the University of Coimbra elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership. The two universities will deepen their research and academic collaboration in key areas such as artificial intelligence and robotics, brain science, law, business, and international relations; facilitate faculty exchanges; jointly apply for project funding and host academic lectures and conferences. In addition, under the tripartite memorandum of understanding, the three universities will focus on key areas such as law and literature to conduct collaborative research, facilitate student and faculty exchanges, and host seminars and academic exchange meetings.

After the signing ceremony, UM Vice Rector Rui Martins introduced the latest developments of the Academic Library Alliance between Macao Special Administrative Region (China) and the Portuguese Speaking Countries, the preparations for the First International Forum on Chinese and Portuguese Languages, and the results of the translation and publication of Portuguese legal classics. Martins also gave an introduction to the collaborations between the two universities in talent development and innovative interdisciplinary research, which focus on the fields of brain science, as well as artificial intelligence and robotics. In addition, the delegation visited the Joanina Library, one of the most important libraries in Portugal, to learn more about the long history of the University of Coimbra.

The UM delegation also visited the University of Porto and was warmly received by José Castro Lopes, acting rector of the university. The two parties signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement and a student exchange agreement in order to elevate their partnership to a strategic level and further promote student exchanges. In the future, the two universities will focus on key areas such as medicine, law, and Portuguese to strengthen collaborations in talent development, research, and student and faculty exchanges. After the signing ceremony, the delegation visited the University of Porto’s Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S) to discuss research collaboration in the field of pharmaceutical sciences and learn about the institute’s latest advances in research into drug delivery and oncology. In Porto, Song also met with UM exchange student representatives studying at the University of Porto to know more about their life in Portugal.

In addition to Portuguese universities, the UM delegation also visited leading higher education institutions in Barcelona in Spain, as well as Berlin and Dresden in Germany, to promote exchanges and collaborations in research and education, expand the university’s international network, and share experience in higher education development.

At the University of Barcelona, the delegation was warmly received by Joan Guàrdia Olmos, rector of the university. The two parties had an in-depth discussion and agreed on cooperation initiatives such as student exchange programmes and collaborative research. The delegation also visited the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya to discuss potential collaboration on academic exchanges, research collaboration, and talent development.

In Germany, the delegation visited Technische Universität Dresden and Technische Universität Berlin, where they held in-depth discussions and agreed on cooperation initiatives in talent development and research in the fields of biomaterials and smart energy, respectively. In addition, the delegation members also met with Wu Ken, Chinese ambassador to Germany, and Huang Wei, minister counsellor for education affairs of the Chinese Embassy in Germany. During the meeting, Song introduced UM’s development, its international strategic layout, as well as the current situation and prospects of cooperation between UM and German education institutions. Wu praised UM’s development and expressed the embassy’s full support for the university’s cooperation and exchanges with German universities.

The delegation also included Wang Ruibing, 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/55770/