UM develops novel oral formulation for ulcerative colitis

A research team led by Wang Ruibing, professor at the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) at the University of Macau (UM), has developed a novel oral formulation for the targeted therapy of ulcerative colitis. The research results have been published in the prestigious international journal Science Advances.

Ulcerative colitis, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, is a common inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. Although oral anti-inflammatory medications are the preferred method for patients, clinical outcomes are often unsatisfactory due to challenges including poor drug accumulation, limited penetration of mucus barrier, and insufficient elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammatory cytokines. Therefore, it is critical to develop an oral formulation that can effectively penetrate the mucus barrier, accumulate in inflamed tissue, and eliminate inflammatory factors and ROS.

The research team had previously developed macrophage-based nanodrugs and macrophage sponges for the targeted therapy of inflammatory diseases such as atherosclerosis and acute pneumonia, and had published two research articles in Nature Communications. However, both of them are injectable formulations that are not suitable for oral administration to treat intestinal inflammation and are unable to actively penetrate the mucus barrier.

Building on the previous research, the research team then developed an oral medication that does not contain small-molecule drugs. This formulation uses asymmetric M2 macrophage membrane-coated Janus nanomotors (M2 macrophage-biomimetic nanorobots) embedded in sodium alginate hydrogel microspheres. The sodium alginate microspheres ensure the stability of the nanomotors in the harsh gastric environment and release them into the intestinal tract. The M2 macrophage membrane enhances the delivery efficiency of the nanomotors to the inflammatory colon and acts as a nanosponge to effectively neutralise inflammatory factors. Additionally, the propelling force of oxygen generated by the catalytic consumption of hydrogen peroxide facilitates the penetration of nanomotors through the colonic mucus barrier into inflammatory tissues. This process eliminates ROS, alleviates tissue hypoxia, polarises macrophages, and reduces colonic epithelial cell apoptosis.

The research is published in the prestigious journal Science Advances under the title ‘Oral microsphere formulation of M2 macrophage-mimetic Janus nanomotor for targeted therapy of ulcerative colitis’. Prof Wang is the corresponding author, and Gao Cheng, research assistant professor at ICMS, is the co-corresponding author. UM PhD candidate Luo Ruifeng, MPhil student Liu Jinwei, and Cheng Qian, PhD graduate of UM and associate professor at Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, are the co-first authors. The research project was funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Macao SAR (File No: 0047/2023/AMJ, 0086/2022/A2, 005/2023/SKL, 0001/2023/RIA1, 0070/2023/RIA2, and 0006/2022/ITP) and UM (File No: MYRG2022-00081-ICMS). The full version of the research article is available at https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.ado6798.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/presss-release/detail/58597/

UM holds Chinese medicine cultural and creative design competition

In celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao SAR, the University of Macau (UM) held a Chinese medicine cultural and creative design competition. The competition was jointly organised by the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Communications Office, Student Affairs Office, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and UMTEC Limited, and was presented by the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences Postgraduate Association. It aimed to promote the culture and rich heritage of Chinese medicine to the international community through creative works.

Sponsored by Dr Stanley Ho Medical Development Foundation, the competition received around 30 entries covering various categories, including crafts, functional food products, household items, and office supplies. After a rigorous selection process, 12 innovative projects were shortlisted as finalists. The subsequent judging process involved over 12,000 online votes and presentations by the participating teams. The judges assessed the entries based on their cultural significance, creativity, feasibility, and other aspects. In the end, one first prize, two second prizes, three third prizes and six outstanding prizes were awarded.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/news-and-press-releases/presss-release/detail/58585/

UM holds exhibition and presentation ceremony of incunabulum of Euclid’s Elements

The University of Macau Library (UM Library) held the opening ceremony of the exhibition ‘Timeless Masterpiece: The 1491 Incunabulum of Euclid’s Elements’ and a book presentation ceremony to mark the acquisition of the rare book. The rare book acquired by the UM Library is one of the most precious items among its more than 20,000 rare books, and is also the only incunabulum of Elements that can be found in China. The book is currently on display in the Manuscript Corner on the first floor of the UM Library. All are welcome to visit the exhibition.

The edition of Euclid’s Elements (full title: Preclarissimus liber elementorum Euclidis perspicacissimi: in artem geometrie incipit quam foelicissime) acquired by the UM Library is a revised version based on earlier Latin translations and new translations of various Arabic sources. It is a reprint edition printed in 1491 by the publisher Leonardus de Basilea and Gulielmus de Papia in Vicenza, Italy. Compared to the first edition, the statement ‘dedicated to the Doge of Venice’ was omitted in the reprint version. The decorative border on the first page was changed from the Arabic motifs of the first edition to Cupid, plants and animals, and the typeface was changed from Gothic, as in the first edition, to Roman, a more legible one. Jeremy Norman, an expert on rare books and the history of science, even wrote an appraisal letter for this acquisition. Only 84 libraries in the world have acquired the 1491 edition.

The ceremony was hosted by Rui Martins, vice rector of UM. Several UM representatives also attended the event: Chris Leung, secretary-general of the University Council; Wu Jianzhong, university librarian; Antony Si Tou, director of the Information and Communication Technology Office; and Cindy Lam, director of the Alumni and Development 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/58555/

A UM realiza exposição e cerimónia de apresentação do incunábulo dos Elementos de Euclides

A Biblioteca da Universidade de Macau (Biblioteca da UM) realizou a cerimónia de abertura da exposição “Obra-prima Intemporal: O Incunábulo de 1491 dos Elementos de Euclides” e uma cerimónia de apresentação do livro para assinalar a aquisição deste exemplar inédito. Esta obra rara adquirida pela Biblioteca da UM é uma das peças mais preciosas entre os seus mais de 20.000 livros raros e é também o único incunábulo dos Elementos existente na China. O livro está atualmente em exposição no espaço dos Manuscritos, no primeiro andar da Biblioteca da UM. Todos são bem-vindos a visitar a exposição.

A edição dos Elementos de Euclides (título completo: Preclarissimus liber elementorum Euclidis perspicacissimi: in artem geometrie incipit quam foelicissime) adquirida pela Biblioteca da UM é uma versão revista baseada em traduções latinas anteriores e em novas traduções de várias fontes árabes. Trata-se de uma reedição impressa pelo editor Leonardus de Basilea e Gulielmus de Papia em Vicenza, Itália, em 1491. Em comparação com a primeira edição, a menção “Dedicada ao Doge de Veneza” foi omitida nesta reimpressão. A margem decorativa da primeira página foi alterada dos motivos árabes da primeira edição para motivos de Cupido, plantas e animais, e o tipo de letra foi alterado de gótico para romano, uma fonte mais legível e conforme a primeira edição. Jeremy Norman, um especialista em livros raros e em história da ciência, escreveu uma carta de avaliação para esta aquisição. Apenas 84 bibliotecas no mundo possuem esta edição de 1491.

A cerimónia foi presidida pelo Professor Rui Martins, vice-reitor da UM. O evento contou com a presença de vários representantes da UM: Chris Leung, secretário-geral do Conselho Universitário; Wu Jianzhong, bibliotecário da universidade; Antony Si Tou, diretor do Gabinete para as Tecnologias de Informação e Comunicação; e Cindy Lam, diretora do Gabinete dos Antigos Alunos e Desenvolvimento.

To read the news on UM’s official website, please visit the following link:
https://www.um.edu.mo/pt-pt/news-and-press-releases/press-release/detail/58555/

UM scholar Yuen Ka Veng receives Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Prize

Yuen Ka Veng, Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) at the University of Macau (UM), has been awarded the 15th Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Prize by the Chinese Academy of Engineering. The prize, which is regarded as the most prestigious award in the field of engineering in China, aims to commend Chinese engineering and technology experts who have made major breakthroughs and remarkable achievements in the fields of engineering technology and engineering management. Prof Yuen is the only Macao scholar to receive the award, which also recognises the dedication and outstanding contributions of Macao scholars in the pursuit of research.

Prof Yuen’s research interests include Bayesian inference, uncertainty quantification, system identification, structural health monitoring, reliability analysis, and analysis of dynamical systems. He has developed a series of Bayesian methods for parameter identification without data on external forces, which becomes a leading research in model class selection. He has also invented a system identification using self-calibratable model classes. His single-authored book Bayesian Methods for Structural Dynamics and Civil Engineering has become a classic in the field. In addition, Prof Yuen has been awarded the Young Investigator Award of the International Chinese Association for Computational Mechanics (ICACM). He is also a Qian Weichang Programme Scholar of the KC Wong Education Foundation, and a recipient of Housner’s Fellowship. According to a citation ranking published in PLOS Biology in 2020, Prof Yuen is ranked 36th among civil engineering scholars worldwide. According to Web of Science, he is ranked 4th in the world for the number of publications on Bayesian inference in engineering.

Prof Yuen is not only a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, but also co-director of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Joint Laboratory on Smart City and a leading scholar in the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City. He is also a member of the Science and Technology Commission of the Ministry of Education of China, and a member of the council of the Academy of Public Security Forces of Macao. In addition, Prof Yuen has previously held important positions at UM, such as head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, associate dean and interim dean of FST, registrar, dean of the Graduate School, and has chaired several key committees within the university, demonstrating his profound influence in educational management and technological innovation.

The Guanghua Engineering Science and Technology Prize was established by the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1996. It aims to encourage more professionals to engage in engineering science and technology research, development, and application with enthusiasm and creativity. Only 41 experts nationwide have been awarded this honour this year. Prof Yuen was nominated by the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao and was selected after multiple rounds of review by academicians and experts in the relevant fields. The award ceremony took place during the 17th Plenary Session of the Chinese Academy of Engineering.

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/58552/

UM to hold Congregation on 2 June

The University of Macau (UM) will hold the Congregation 2024 on Sunday 2 June at 4:00pm in the UM Sports Complex (N8) to present graduation certificates to graduates of the bachelor’s degree programmes. This year’s congregation will continue to be held in a hybrid format so that graduates and their families and friends from around the world can join in the joyous occasion online.

This year, a total of 1,718 undergraduate students from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Health Sciences, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Science and Technology and Faculty of Social Sciences will receive their graduation certificates. Among them, 66 outstanding students from different faculties have completed the Honours College Certificate Programme.

On the day of the event, graduates will attend the ceremony in the Sports Pavilion. Families and friends with admissions tickets can watch the live stream of the ceremony in designated areas: the Training Hall of the Sports Complex (N8), the University Hall (N2), and the Multi-function Hall of the UM Guest House (N1). In addition, the event will be live streamed on several online platforms for graduates and their families and friends who are unable to attend the ceremony. The live stream will be available on UM’s official website: https://www.um.edu.mo/news/umtv/, WeChat channel: 澳大此刻, Weibo account: 澳門大學, and YouTube channel: University Of Macau.

Those attending the ceremony can reach the UM campus by public transport: taxi, bus route No 71 or 73 from the Macao peninsula, or bus route No 72 or 701X from Taipa. For those who prefer to drive, parking spaces will be also 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 website 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/campus-news/detail/58387/

UM join forces to develop new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease

The research teams led by Ming Chen, assistant professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) at the University of Macau (UM), Zhao Yingjun, professor at Xiamen University, and Zhang Wei, associate professor in the Department of Neurology at Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Medical University, have made a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research. They have developed a potentially effective treatment for AD with fewer side effects. The research findings have been published in the top neuroscience journal Neuron.

AD is the most common form of dementia, accounting for around 60-70% of dementia cases, and is one of the leading causes of death in the elderly population. Its pathological features mainly include plaque accumulation, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and brain atrophy caused by neuronal loss. The drugs currently approved for clinical treatment of AD can only moderately alleviate cognitive impairment in AD patients but cannot prevent brain atrophy and neuronal loss. Previous studies have shown that certain forms of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) (such as p-tau181 and p-tau217) increase significantly in the early stages of AD and can be used as biomarkers for early diagnosis of AD, but their role in the onset and progression of AD is still unclear.

The researchers first screened out the antibody mAb2A7, which specifically targets p-tau217 with high affinity, and found that the antibody could detect neurofibrillary tangles, neuropil threads, and dystrophic neurite-like pathology surrounding Aβ plaques in AD patients’ brain tissue sections. Using single-molecule immunoassay technology (SMID), the researchers found that p-tau217 was elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of AD patients compared with non-AD controls. Further analysis revealed that p-tau217 levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of AD patients were positively correlated with their hippocampal atrophy and cognitive impairment, and significantly negatively correlated with the Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. These results indicate that p-tau217 is closely associated with neurodegenerative changes and amyloid pathology in AD, suggesting that it may be a target for intervention of AD neurodegeneration.

The researchers investigated different methods of antibody administration and found that intranasal administration could deliver the antibodies to the mouse brain and make them bind to the target protein more efficiently. A series of animal experiments and biochemical experiments demonstrated that p-tau217 is a potential target for intervention of AD neurodegenerative changes, and that passive immunotherapy targeting p-tau217 is a potentially effective therapeutic strategy for interfering with AD neurodegeneration with fewer side effects, offering a new approach for the prevention and treatment of AD. Quantitative proteomic analysis further showed that mAb2A7 treatment restored protein homeostasis in the brains of PS19 mice, mainly by upregulating the protein expression of pathways related to synaptic and neuronal function and downregulating the protein expression of oxidative stress and apoptosis-related pathways. These findings underline the importance of restoring protein homeostasis in treating AD.

The study highlights the potential of targeting phosphorylated tau protein for AD treatment, and the fact that targeting p-tau217 has fewer side effects than targeting total tau. The study demonstrates that p-tau217 protein plays a key role in tau pathogenesis and neurodegeneration, and develops a potentially effective immunotherapeutic strategy for AD with fewer side effects. The research findings have attracted much attention in the field of biology. They have been featured in newspapers and journals such as Science and Technology Daily, Xiamen Daily, and Genetics. They have also been widely discussed on many well-known social platforms in the field, such as Alzforum, BioArt, and Biodiscover.

Ming Chen, Zhang Wei, Zhang Denghong, postdoctoral fellow at Xiamen University, and Gao Xuheng, master’s student at Xiamen University, are co-first authors, and Zhao Yingjun is the corresponding author. Zhang Yunwu and Zhang Tianying, professors at Xiamen University; Wang Chao, professor at Chongqing Medical University; Wang Zhanxiang, professor at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University; and Yuan Huilong, Mao Xinru, Wang Chunping, Shao Lin, Lin Zhihao, doctoral students at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, also made important contributions to the research. The research teams would like to thank Xu Huaxi, professor and founder of the Institute of Neuroscience at Xiamen University, for his advice and guidance during the early stages of the research, as well as the Brain Bank of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College and the China Brain Bank of Zhejiang University School of Medicine for providing important patient samples for the study. The research project was supported by UM (File no: SRG2023-00003-FHS). The full version of the research article is available at https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(24)00127-2.

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/58321/

UM presents awards to long-serving staff and outstanding administrative staff

The University of Macau (UM) held the 2023 Long Service Award & Outstanding Administrative Staff Award Ceremony today (9 May) to recognise the efforts of its staff and their contributions to the university. A total of 266 faculty and staff members, who have served the university for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 years, were awarded the Long Service Awards. The Outstanding Administrative Staff Awards were also presented during the ceremony.

In his speech, Yonghua Song, rector of UM, thanked the faculty and staff members for their long service and outstanding contributions. He said that thanks to the concerted efforts of all UM faculty and staff members in 2023, the university has made a number of achievements in line with the directions set out in its Five-Year Development Plan, and that he is confident about the university’s future development. He added that 2024 is a special year, and UM will continue to cultivate patriotic talent for Macao and the country, and move forward towards its goal of becoming an internationally recognised university of excellence.

Lai Meng Kai, director of the Campus Management and Development Office, received the Long Service Award for his 40 years of service at the university. He said that observing UM’s transformation from its early days as the University of East Asia to the present is like witnessing the growth of a family. Over the years, members of the UM community have learned and lived together, as well as faced and overcome challenges together. Looking ahead, he will continue to strive for self-improvement, foster inclusiveness and mutual support, and make progress together with the university.

Wong Man Chung, interim college master of Cheong Kun Lun College, head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering of the Faculty of Science and Technology, and professor in the State Key Laboratory of Internet of Things for Smart City, was presented with the Long Service Award for his 30 years of service at the university. He expressed gratitude to his colleagues and supervisors for their support and the opportunities given to him over the years. He added, ‘UM is now ranked among the top 200 universities in the world, which is a testament to the hard work of the UM members. I will continue to educate the new generation with the concept of holistic education and strive for more outstanding research.’

Cornelia Ho, a staff member of the Rector’s Office, received the Outstanding Administrative Staff Award. She mentioned that working at UM has been an enriching experience. ‘I have had the privilege of meeting exceptional colleagues who have not only mentored me but also provided me with invaluable guidance and support. As an administrative staff, I will continue to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of my services and contribute to UM’s continued success and innovation,’ she said.

Belinda Long, a staff member of the Faculty of Health Sciences, also received the Outstanding Administrative Staff Award. She said, ‘At UM, I have the opportunity to work with people from all over the world and with experts in various fields. These experiences have improved my adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills. In recent years, UM has climbed up the global ladder and made many breakthroughs, particularly in the field of precision oncology. I am very proud to be part of the team and look forward to seeing UM reach new heights in the global rankings.’

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/58297/

UM develops promising new drug for meningitis treatment

A research team led by Yuan Zhen, professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Macau (UM), has developed a new drug capable of effectively treating meningitis. The research results have been published in the internationally renowned journal Science Advances and have garnered significant attention in the fields of biology and brain science.

In recent decades, the excessive use of antibiotics has led to the emergence and widespread dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria, posing a significant challenge to public health. Some of these multidrug-resistant bacteria have even been classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ESKAPE pathogens, which require priority attention. One such pathogen is multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii). At present, antibiotics available for treating A. baumannii bacterial infections are limited, with options such as tigecycline and colistin, and the emergence of resistant strains to them has been reported. In addition, these antibiotics are associated with significant adverse effects, including nephrotoxicity. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new antibiotics to address these issues. Recent studies have focused on the development of metal complexes as novel antibacterial agents against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Metal complexes have a distinct three-dimensional arrangement around one or more metal centres, facilitated by multiple ligands, and exhibit higher bactericidal efficacy, greater targeting specificity, and lower resistance.

To eradicate multidrug-resistant A. baumannii, the research team carried out a comprehensive screening of over 1,100 Food and Drug Administration-approved small molecule drugs and assessed the efficacy of broxyquinoline (Bq) in combination with various metal ions. Among the compounds examined, the research team identified a metal complex called Zn(Bq)₂, which proved to be an exceptional candidate with an ultra-low minimum inhibitory concentration of approximately 0.21μg/mL against A. baumannii.

Effective antibacterial metal complexes often possess hydrophobicity, which might reduce their efficacy. In addition, highly active metal complexes might undergo ligand exchange reactions when exposed to different biological environments. To overcome these limitations and ensure targeted drug delivery and action, the research team has developed a series of innovative approaches. Firstly, outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) with selective targeting capabilities for A. baumannii were genetically engineered. These OMVs can serve as a targeted delivery system to deliver antibacterial metal complexes directly into the target bacteria, thereby enhancing their antibacterial efficacy. Secondly, nano-zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was constructed as a drug carrier. ZIF-8 enables efficient loading and transport of the potent antibacterial metal complex Zn(Bq)₂. The use of ZIF-8 enhanced the stability and bioavailability of the metal complex and ensured its efficient delivery to the target bacteria. Using these integrated strategies, the research team achieved a killing efficacy of 99.9999999% against A. baumannii. They also established a mouse model of A. baumannii-induced meningitis and conducted in vivo experiments. The results showed that the engineered nanodrug cured A. baumannii-induced meningitis, highlighting the drug’s potential to treat bacterial infections, especially those that are difficult to eradicate.

This study not only addresses the limitations of traditional antibiotics against A. baumannii, but also provides a targeting strategy using genetically engineered OMVs, representing a significant advance in the field of targeted bacterial eradication. This antibiotic, which can effectively eradicate multidrug-resistant bacteria without causing resistance, also represents a significant advance in the development of non-traditional antibiotics and will help combat the growing global threat of antibiotic resistance.

The corresponding author of this study is Prof Yuan Zhen. His PhD student Wei Xianyuan and former postdoctoral fellow Xue Bin are the co-first authors. Ruan Shuangchen, professor at Shenzhen Polytechnic University, also provided financial support for the study. The research project is funded by the Science and Technology Development Fund of the Macao SAR (File no: 0020/2019/AMJ and 0048/2021/AGJ) and UM (File no: MYRG2020-00067-FHS, MYRG2019-00082-FHS, MYRG2022-00054-FHS, and MYRG-GRG2023-00038-FHS-UMDF). The full version of the research article is available at https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adk6331.

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/58287/

UM successfully incubates over 50 start-ups

To facilitate the commercialisation of research results and promote Macao’s economic diversification, the University of Macau (UM) supports youth in innovation and entrepreneurship on various fronts. The university has successfully incubated more than 50 start-ups, helping them establish a foothold in Macao and mainland China. These start-ups cover a wide range of fields, such as culture and creativity, environmental protection, new materials, information technology, medicine, and biotechnology.

In 2017, UM established the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) to provide an environment for UM students, faculty and alumni to foster their innovative thinking and capabilities, and to help transform their creative ideas into viable businesses. After two years of development, the centre was approved as a national co-working space in 2019, becoming an important part of the university’s ‘5-in-1’ system for research innovation and result transfer.

Elaine Leung Lai Han, head of CIE, believes that innovation and entrepreneurship can not only bring new economic impetus and employment opportunities to Macao, but also promote the diversification of the city’s economy. At present, the centre has achieved remarkable results in facilitating the development of innovation and entrepreneurship in Macao, with its efforts mainly reflected in four areas: (1) Enhancing the atmosphere for the commercialisation of the outcomes of industry-academia collaboration—By organising the Ultimater innovation and entrepreneurship exhibition, CIE presents UM’s results in industry-academia collaboration to entrepreneurs, enterprises, investors, students, and public institutions, and helps entrepreneurial teams and research projects of the university to explore business opportunities and establish connections with investors. (2) Continuously seeking seed funding resources—CIE maintains close cooperation with the University of Macau Development Foundation, the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and the Science and Technology Development Fund of Macao to provide referral and support services to its resident teams. (3) Nurturing technology and innovation talent—CIE organises a rich variety of activities to stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship, including seminars, field trips to start-ups, and training courses for start-ups. It also identifies outstanding technology and innovation projects and supports them to come to fruition. (4) Helping start-ups achieve steady growth—CIE encourages start-ups to participate in large-scale exhibitions in Macao, enhances the professional level of its incubation advice, and attracts more experienced individuals with investment and financing experience in technology and innovation to participate in project selection.

Since 2017, UM has incubated more than 50 start-ups through CIE. These start-ups include Macau Chiherbal Health Technology Company Limited, Smarmac Technology Company Limited, Chasing Health Technology Co Ltd, Printing Banana, and Macau Hap On Aromatherapy Application Research Institute Co Ltd. With the support of UM, these start-ups have not only achieved remarkable results in their respective fields, but have also obtained a number of patents, won many awards, and demonstrated outstanding sales performance in both Macao and mainland China markets.

Currently, CIE has established cooperation with enterprises such as Guangdong Dazhihui Holding Group Co Ltd, Zhuhai Da Heng Qin Company Limited, and ZSHK Laboratories Limited, as well as incubation platforms at renowned universities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, to provide entrepreneurs with more opportunities for industry-academia collaboration, and to enhance their practical skills and innovative thinking. In addition, CIE will continue to provide a full range of support and services. The centre will also create more entrepreneurial opportunities for students and alumni by fostering industry-academia collaboration, so as to stimulate innovation and promote Macao’s economic transformation and achieve sustainable development.

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/58178/

Macao’s higher education institutions hold joint flag-raising ceremony to celebrate founding of PRC and establishment of Macao SAR

The University of Macau (UM), together with Macao Polytechnic University, Macao University of Tourism, Academy of Public Security Forces, Macau University of Science and Technology, City University of Macau, and Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau, held ‘Macao’s Higher Education Institutions Joint Flag Raising Ceremony for Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China and the 25th Anniversary of the Macao SAR’ at UM Lotus Square today (17 April).

The ceremony started at 8:00am. While the national anthem was being played, the joint national flag team hoisted the national flag, the regional flag of the Macao SAR, and the flag with the emblems of the seven higher education institutions. All attendees stood solemnly, looked at the flags with respectful attention, and sang the national anthem. In his speech, UM Rector Yonghua Song said that the flag-raising ceremony not only demonstrated the solidarity and cooperation between the higher education institutions in Macao, but also underlined their joint efforts and commitment to the cause of education. As Macao has experienced rapid economic growth, local institutions have significantly enhanced their research and teaching quality, receiving wide international recognition. He added that they have played an important role in supporting Macao’s economic and social development as well as maintaining its long-term prosperity and stability.

The ceremony was attended by about 500 people, including government officials, leaders and representatives of local higher education institutions, UM management, UM students and faculty members, as well as prominent members of the community.

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/58153/