UM holds 3rd Bauhinia Forum on Development of Computer Science

The 3rd Bauhinia Forum on Development of Computer Science was held at the University of Macau (UM) on 17 May, alongside a meeting of deans and department heads from renowned universities in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao regions. Themed ‘Trends in the Development of Computer Science in the AI Era’, the forum brought together over 30 academicians, deans, department heads, professors, and distinguished experts and scholars from top universities in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao to discuss the opportunities and challenges for computer science disciplines in the new era and explore further collaborative efforts to lead the development of computer science worldwide.

The forum, co-organised by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Tsinghua University and hosted by UM, was attended by scholars from Peking University, Fudan University, Nanjing University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Xi’an Jiaotong University, the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Xidian University, Nankai University, Sichuan University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, and Macau University of Science and Technology.

In his opening remarks, UM Rector Yonghua Song noted that since its inception, the Bauhinia Forum has become an important platform for exchanges and cooperation among computer science experts from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao. He highlighted how AI technologies are reshaping the world across various fields, including intelligent transportation, smart healthcare, intelligent manufacturing, and the digital economy. He also expressed hope that the forum would provide a clearer blueprint for the development of computer science.

In his speech, Wu Jianping, director of the Zhongguancun Laboratory, emphasised the importance of computer science education and research in driving social progress. He noted that the aim of the forum was to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, and expressed hope that it would stimulate innovative thinking and provide new impetus for social development.

The forum featured a rich programme of invited talks, roundtable discussions, and keynote speeches. These sessions covered topics such as the diverse development of computer science disciplines worldwide, the current landscape and development opportunities for AI technology in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, and its impact and transformation on various aspects of society. During the invited talks, Wu and Gao Wen, director of Pengcheng Laboratory, shared valuable insights and experiences on the development of computer science disciplines and the opportunities presented by the new generation of AI technologies. Their talks not only deepened attendees’ understanding of current technological trends but also provided valuable guidance for future research directions. In addition, Xu Cheng-Zhong, dean of UM’s Faculty of Science and Technology, gave an overview of the development of computer science and AI disciplines at UM, as well as plans for the Faculty of Information Science and Technology at the UM campus in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin.

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/61167/

Students from UM Department of Communication tell Macao stories in graduation project

Fourth-year students from the Department of Communication of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Macau (UM) have launched their graduation project, UM Communicator. The Chinese-language magazine captures the narratives of 21 practitioners working in different industries in Macao, such as the care of abandoned animals, religious statue restoration, automotive repair, mortuary cosmetology, and the making of Chinese paper offerings. The digital edition of UM Communicator (in Chinese only) is now available on the official platform of the UM Department of Communication: https://online.fliphtml5.com/nuast/ohqs/.

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/61154/

Novel drug developed by UM and CUHK wins gold medal at International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva

A collaborative research led by Zhao Qi, associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the University of Macau (UM), and Leung Kam Tong, assistant professor at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), has been awarded a Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the 50th International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva for the development of the ‘Fc-engineered CD9 antibody for blood cancers’.

The research aims to address the thrombosis side effects commonly associated with existing CD9 antibody treatments for leukaemia. The research team has successfully developed an Fc-engineered antibody that effectively reduces platelet toxicity while maintaining therapeutic efficacy against refractory leukaemia. This breakthrough has the potential to overcome bottlenecks in the development of CD9-targeted therapies.

The International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva is the world’s largest exhibition of inventions, where all entries undergo rigorous evaluation by an international jury of 135 experts. This year’s exhibition showcased over 1,050 inventions from 38 countries and regions, representing a diverse array of innovative ideas from around the world.

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/61129/

UM research team achieves breakthrough in pulmonary fibrosis treatment

A research team led by Zheng Ying, professor in the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) and Liu Tzu-Ming, associate professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Macau (UM), has developed a highly efficient aerosol inhalation system. The system can promote lung tissue repair and effectively block fibrogenic signalling pathways, providing an innovative strategy for the clinical treatment of pulmonary fibrosis. The research has been published in the prestigious interdisciplinary journal Science Advances.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a chronic, progressive, and fatal interstitial lung disease with limited therapeutic options. Recent advancements in pulmonary gene therapy have shown the potential to halt or even reverse PF, particularly by focusing on correcting gene mutations in alveolar epithelial cells. Although gene therapies targeting alveolar epithelial cells have shown potential, their clinical application remains limited by technical bottlenecks in pulmonary delivery systems. To overcome these barriers, the research team developed an aerosol inhalation system that integrates three components: (1) a vibrating mesh nebuliser to aerosolise lipid nanoparticles (LNPs); (2) a hydrogen supplement system that exploits the low viscosity and anti-inflammatory properties of hydrogen to enhance mucus penetration; (3) a controlled dosing chamber to enable precise therapeutic delivery. The study hypothesised that hydrogen’s unique physicochemical properties (such as lower Reynolds numbers) could improve alveolar deposition and alleviate oxidative stress.

Rather than targeting epithelial cells, this strategy focused on profibrotic alveolar macrophages (AMs), which drive PF progression via TGFβ1 secretion. The team developed a hybrid lipid nanoparticle (HNP) by combining T cell apoptotic body membranes with pH-responsive DOP-DEDA lipids, allowing macrophage-specific targeting and enhanced endosomal escape. These HNPs delivered TGFβ1 siRNA to macrophages, suppressing fibrotic signalling while stimulating hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) production to promote lung tissue repair. The hydrogen-nebulised HNPs demonstrated stability during nebulisation and effectively penetrated the mucus barrier through laminar flow-assisted positive pressure. This approach not only blocks fibrotic pathways but also reprogrammes macrophage phenotypes, modulating the lung microenvironment to achieve sustained therapeutic effects. By integrating hydrogen gas with hybrid LNPs, the study presents a dual-action therapy that addresses both the delivery challenges and disease mechanisms of PF, offering a promising avenue for long-term treatment.

The corresponding author of the study is Prof Zheng Ying, with Prof Liu Tzu-Ming as co-corresponding author. The first author is Liu Chang, a PhD graduate in ICMS. The research was supported by the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Macao SAR (File No: 005/2023/SKL, 0086/2021/A2, 0003/2023/RIC, 0013/2023/RIC), UM (File No: MYRG-GRG2023-00159-ICMS-UMDF, MYRG-CRG2022-00009-FHS), NMPA Key Laboratory for Quality Control and Evaluation of Pharmaceutical Excipients and Guangdong Institute for Drug Control (File No: KF2022015). The full text of the study is available at: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adt2752.

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/61121/

UM Faculty of Health Sciences holds science outreach activity ‘The Pursuit of Research’

To enhance Macao secondary school students’ interest in and understanding of health sciences, the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) of the University of Macau (UM) held the ninth session of its science outreach activity, ‘The Pursuit of Research’. About 40 students from seven local secondary schools participated, gaining hands-on research experience and discovering the excitement of scientific research.

Lei Chon Lok, assistant professor in FHS, gave a welcome address to students from Colégio Diocesano de São José (5ª), Instituto Salesiano, Kao Yip Middle School, Sheng Kung Hui Choi Kou School Macau, Escola Estrela do Mar, the Affiliated School of the University of Macau, and Saint Paul School Macau. He gave the students an overview of FHS’s academic offerings and research achievements. He noted that the faculty encourages undergraduates to engage in research projects from their first year to stimulate their innovation. The faculty also designs tailored science outreach activities that provide secondary school students with hands-on research experience and early exposure to scientific inquiry.

Led by Park Jung Woo, senior instructor in FHS and operation manager of the faculty’s Proteomics, Metabolomics and Drug Development Core, the participants toured several laboratories to gain a deeper understanding of cutting-edge research in health sciences. Under the guidance of faculty technicians and current students, the participants conducted a range of experiments in biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, and bioinformatics, acquiring experimental techniques and research experience.

Lo Hou In, a student from Colégio Diocesano de São José (5ª), said that it was his first visit to UM’s laboratories and he was particularly impressed by the advanced research equipment and the Animal Research Core. Through hands-on experiments, he learned that bioinformatics is crucial to biological studies as it makes significant contribution to genetic research and disease treatment through the integration of computational methods and big data.

Chio Weng U, a student from the Affiliated School of the University of Macau, said that in a bioinformatics experiment, she analysed the same gene sequence from different species to infer the evolutionary relationships between species. The experiment made her understand that bioinformatics requires not only the data interpretation skills of biologists, but also the tools of engineers and mathematicians to analyse and interpret the data.

Ng Weng San, a student from Saint Paul School Macau, shared her experience of making arbutin cream. She said that each step—from raw materials to formulating and adjusting the cream—provided her with invaluable experience. ‘The most challenging part was controlling the mixing ratio. Under the instructor’s guidance and after repeated trials, we succeeded in producing an arbutin cream with good moisturising effects. This experiment sparked my interest in pharmaceutical sciences,’ she said.

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/61115/

UM, Nanjing University launch dual degree programme to cultivate physics and chemistry specialists

The University of Macau (UM) and Nanjing University (NJU) have launched a ‘2.5+2’ dual bachelor’s degree programme (applied physics and chemistry—applied physics). Students who meet the graduation requirements of the programme will receive a bachelor’s degree from each of the universities. Through the integration of educational resources, UM and NJU aim to establish a high-level cross-regional academic platform to enhance students’ international competitiveness and cultivate specialists in applied physics and chemistry for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the country.

Physics and chemistry are fundamental disciplines as well as important pillars for technological innovation. Therefore, the cultivation of specialists in these fields holds significant importance for promoting Macao’s economic diversification. The programme covers core subjects including solid-state physics, optoelectronics, semiconductor physics, thermodynamics, statistical physics, and magnetism of materials. It provides students with a solid foundation in physics and interdisciplinary knowledge of physics and chemistry applications, broadening their professional expertise while fostering innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.

The standard duration of the programme is 4.5 years. Students are required to complete the first two and a half years of applied physics and chemistry courses at UM, followed by two years of applied physics courses at NJU. Students who meet the graduation requirements will receive a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics and Chemistry from UM and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics from NJU. Both degrees are recognised in Macao and mainland China.

NJU is a long-established higher education institution in mainland China and is one of the first batch of universities selected for national initiatives such as Project 211, Project 985, and the Double First-Class Initiative. In addition, NJU is among the earliest universities in the mainland to offer physics education and has made great contributions to the development of physics in the country. Dozens of academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering have studied or worked at NJU. The physics programme offered by the School of Physics of NJU is recognised as a national first-level key discipline.

The launch of the programme not only marks an important milestone in the cooperation between UM and NJU but also provides valuable opportunities for Macao and Hong Kong students to study at a top-tier mainland university. It is a strong demonstration of the integrated development of education in Macao and mainland China. In the future, UM and NJU will continue to work together and plan to establish a dual bachelor’s degree programme in computer science to jointly cultivate more outstanding talent with international competitiveness for Macao and mainland China, thereby contributing to the technological development of both sides.

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/61108/

UM Centre for Continuing Education opens applications for new sessions of construction safety management courses

The new sessions of the ‘Certificate in Safety Auditing’ and the ‘Construction Safety Officer Course’ (three classes in Chinese), jointly organised by the Centre for Continuing Education of the University of Macau and the Labour Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, are now open for applications. The application deadline for the two courses is 31 May. All interested industry practitioners are welcome to apply.

The ‘Certificate in Safety Auditing’ will start on 13 June with 35 training places available, while the three Chinese classes of the ‘Construction Safety Officer Course’ will start on 1 July, 2 August, and 3 September respectively, with a total of 120 training places available. Participants who complete either course and pass the required assessments will receive a certificate jointly issued by UM and the Labour Affairs Bureau.

For more information on course details and application procedures, please visit the UM Centre for Continuing Education website: https://cce.um.edu.mo/?lang=en. For enquiries, please call +853 8822 4545 during office hours or email cce.enquiry@um.edu.mo.

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/61085/

UM Department of Communication holds 24th UM CommFest

The Department of Communication of the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) of the University of Macau (UM) held the UM CommFest 2025 from 22 to 25 April. This year’s edition focused on the mental well-being of young people. The opening ceremony featured former table tennis world champion Zhu Yuling as the guest of honour, who shared her insights with the attendees. The event attracted hundreds of participants, including students, faculty, industry professionals, and members of the public.

The UM CommFest was organised by fourth-year students from the three specialisations of the Department of Communication. This year’s edition was themed ‘Feeling Emo, Just Chill’ and aimed to create a spiritual haven for young people to explore self-worth and the meaning of life in today’s fast-paced society. The theme emerged from the students’ observations of the pressures and emotional challenges faced by young people today and their expectations for their future lives. Students from different specialisations demonstrated their academic achievements in different ways: Students of public communication gave an in-depth explanation of this year’s CommFest, demonstrating innovative applications of communication theory in real-world practice; students of journalism and mass communication launched their campus publication, showcasing their professional skills through in-depth reporting and editing; students of creative media held preview screenings of their final year production, presenting the creativity and artistic vision of the new generation through a distinctive visual language and narrative style.

Former table tennis world champion Zhu Yuling was the guest of honour at the opening ceremony. She also held a sharing session titled ‘How to face the ups and downs of life’ to share her insights on overcoming setbacks in her professional career. Zhu highlighted the importance of a positive mindset for personal development and encouraged students to cultivate positive stress coping strategies. When asked about her view on winning and losing in competitions, Zhu said, ‘One should have the desire to win, but not be obsessed with winning and losing’. She also encouraged students to take everything in stride and focus on enjoying the process.

Zhu Mingwei, student representative of UM’s Department of Communication, said that over the past four years, they have learned communication theories in class and implemented media innovation in course projects. The UM CommFest was a living portfolio of what they have learned at the university—it was not only a showcase for their graduation projects, but also a platform for them to express their views on social issues.

The four-day UM CommFest was planned and executed by fourth-year students from UM’s Department of Communication, who oversaw all administrative and management aspects of the event. Their involvement not only demonstrated their professional competence in communication practices but also reflected their strong sense of social responsibility. The organising committee aspired to enable participants to find both resonance and inspiration through the fusion of academic rigour and creative expression, and to re-examine the profound role of communication in shaping the human experience.

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/61075/

UM’s new Master of Design and Doctor of Design programmes now accepting applications

The University of Macau (UM) will launch a Master of Design (MDES) in Visual Communication Design programme and a Doctor of Design (DDES) in Visual Communication Design programme in the 2025/2026 academic year, with the aim of cultivating creative talent in visual communication design with theoretical expertise and fostering the development of Macao’s arts and design industry and contributing to the city’s economic diversification. The two programmes are now accepting applications until 31 May.

The Master of Design (MDES) in Visual Communication Design programme is a two-year programme that combines theory and practice to produce design professionals with a solid theoretical foundation and practical experience. The curriculum covers the history and theory of design, as well as practical work in a range of media. Students will use unique concepts and techniques to create distinctive design portfolios that reflect personal style, contemporary relevance, and international appeal. Graduates will be competent in visual communication design agencies, educational institutions, and other practice, design and teaching roles in related fields. They will also possess the necessary skills to pursue a doctoral degree in design.

The Doctor of Design (DDES) in Visual Communication Design programme is a four-year programme that provides an in-depth exploration of the theories and skills required for visual communication design and design education. The curriculum covers design history, design theory, research methods, and academic writing. Students will create distinctive design portfolios that reflect their unique personal style, contemporary relevance, and international appeal. They will also analyse their design concepts and styles in depth from a theoretical perspective through a written thesis. To graduate, candidates must pass a qualifying examination, submit a thesis proposal, hold a graduation exhibition, and complete a doctoral thesis along with an oral defence. Graduates will emerge as professional designers rigorously trained in design and creation, design theory, and academic writing, with qualifications to teach in higher education institutions.

Li Jun, head of the Department of Arts and Design of UM’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, says that through the two new programmes, the department—comprising distinguished art theorists, visual designers, and artists—will nurture high-level art and design talent for Macao, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and beyond, and promote research and development in the field of visual communication design. He says: ‘The course will nurture design talent with interdisciplinary creativity who will not only excel in the field of visual communication design, but also be able to collaborate across disciplines to create innovative designs of international standards.’ UM’s Department of Arts and Design aims to leverage Macao’s unique role in China and the international community to explore a new path for creative design that integrates Eastern and Western cultural heritage.

Lampo Leong, director of the Centre for Arts and Design of UM’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, notes that the establishment of the practice-based Master of Design and Doctor of Design programmes at UM will nurture more art and design talent for Macao and establish the city as an important hub for creative designers, thus injecting a new impetus into the local design industry. He says: ‘The programmes will cultivate students’ international vision and creativity in art and design through the integration of Eastern and Western elements and international teaching methods.’ Prof Leong adds that UM has already produced many outstanding master’s and doctoral graduates in visual communication design in recent years, who have won over a hundred international and national awards. The two new programmes will build on this foundation to produce more creative designers for Macao and the Greater Bay Area.

Zhou Hongtao, professor in the Department of Arts and Design of UM’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, says that design, as a discipline that can keenly discover and creatively solve various problems, is becoming a driving force for innovation and development, providing strong impetus for global social and economic transformation. UM’s two new programmes in visual communication design will serve as a bridge for creative communication. They will connect different disciplines and stimulate interdisciplinary innovation within the university, and will also link the cultural design industries in Macao, the Greater Bay Area, and mainland China, connect the East and the West, and even engage with the whole world.

Applications for the Master of Design (MDES) in Visual Communication Design and Doctor of Design (DDES) in Visual Communication Design programmes are now open until 31 May. For online applications and admission guidelines, please visit the UM Graduate School website: https://grs.um.edu.mo/index.php/prospective-students/. For enquiries, please call +853 8822 4898 during office hours or email gradschool@um.edu.mo.

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/61073/

UM launches Doctor of Philosophy in Brain and Cognitive Sciences programme to nurture interdisciplinary talent

The University of Macau (UM) will launch a Doctor of Philosophy in Brain and Cognitive Sciences programme in the 2025/2026 academic year. The programme aims to nurture top-tier research talent for the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, advance cutting-edge research in cognitive neuroscience, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. The programme is now accepting applications until 31 May.

The programme is offered by UM’s Institute of Collaborative Innovation (ICI), with a standard duration of four years. It is designed to equip students with expertise in behavioural experiments, advanced data analysis, computer programming and computational modelling, neuroimaging and brain intervention tools. Graduates of the programme will be well qualified for careers in multiple domains, including academia, cognitive neuroscience, brain-inspired artificial intelligence (AI), data science, human-computer interaction and human factors engineering, healthcare, clinical research, and research and development in biotechnology.

Yuan Zhen, associate director of ICI and head of the Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences at UM, said that the programme integrates cognitive psychology, computer science, and neuroscience. Students will explore interdisciplinary fields such as decision-making and addiction, multilingualism, lifespan development, and brain disorders. They will also acquire advanced interdisciplinary knowledge in computer science, neuroscience and related fields, and focus on cutting-edge topics such as perception, cognition (such as decision-making and neurolinguistics), brain health, and brain-inspired AI.

The programme aims to equip students to lead in knowledge creation at the intersection of psychology, biology (such as cellular and molecular neuroscience), AI, and brain science. It also focuses on developing advanced research skills in neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, and brain disorders, thereby laying a solid foundation for future research breakthroughs in these fields. To graduate, candidates must successfully pass the qualifying examination and proposal assessment, complete the written thesis as well as the oral defence. They are also required to make scientific contributions through publications in international journals and by publishing or presenting their work at prestigious conferences.

Applications for the Doctor of Philosophy in Brain and Cognitive Sciences programme are now open until 31 May 2025. To apply online or to learn more about the admission guidelines, please visit: https://grs.um.edu.mo/index.php/prospective-students/doctoral-degrees-programmes/. For enquiries, please call +853 8822 2456 during office hours or email ici.cogbrainsci@um.edu.mo.

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/61067/