CityU, PSC university jointly organize academic seminar to strengthen peer learning and academic exposure
The Institute for Research on Portuguese-Speaking Countries (IROPC) of the City University of Macau (CityU) recently organized a delegation of faculty and students to participate in a joint academic seminar at the Instituto Superior de Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa – University Institute of Lisbon (Iscte–IUL). The event, titled “New Paradigms in County Studies in Portuguese-Speaking Countries,” included a symposium and a postgraduate thesis writing workshop focusing on region/country studies and international affairs. The event aimed to broaden research perspectives through peer-to-peer learning between faculty and students from both institutions.
In her remarks, Ana Mónica Fonseca, director of Centre for International Studies of Iscte–IUL, warmly welcomed CityU delegation. She highlighted the key role of the university, with its mission in regional/country studies, and its commitment to pursuing academic collaborations with institutions worldwide. Professor Fonseca encouraged students to engage in international academic exchanges following the resumption of on-site international activities. She expressed her hope to carry out diverse and more face-to-face cooperation with CityU.
Vice Rector Ip Kuai Peng, also dean of the Institute of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (IROPC), was invited to deliver a keynote speech via an online conference. He highlighted the profound academic friendship built by scholars from the two institutions, who overcame restrictions imposed by time differences. He hoped this activity would provide a great opportunity for scholars from Portugal to learn more about China. Ip emphasized the proposal to deepen cooperation through the Macao platform, which was put forth at the 6th Ministerial Conference of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) this year. For the first time, the conference mentioned the joint development of Hengqin. He said that Macao can play a role in developing the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin by establishing a science and technology cooperation center between China and the Portuguese-speaking countries, leveraging Macao's role as an international metropolis to strengthen connections between universities and research incubators in Macao, cities within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the Portuguese-speaking countries. He called for multi-dimensional collaboration to deepen science and technology achievement transfer and translation, innovation and entrepreneurship, and science and technology cooperation, aiming to build a collaborative force and promote the new quality productive forces.
Meanwhile, scholars from both institutions held dialogue sessions centered around the theme of “Commonalities between Chinese and Portuguese Cultures under the Concept of a Shared Future for Mankind,” moderated by Chao Peng, director of the Macao “One Belt, One Road” Research Center. Director Chao highlighted the new opportunities for economic, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two sides since the signing of cooperation documents for the Belt and Road Initiative between China and Portugal in 2018. Chao emphasized the responsibilities and obligations of CityU and Iscte–IUL in promoting people-to-people exchange, advancing the development of the Belt and Road Initiative based on joint negotiation, joint efforts, and achievement sharing, for the building of a shared future for mankind.
João Simões, assistant professor at IROPC who played a key role in facilitating this event, stated that the activity allowed students from both places to observe different research focuses and methodologies; it also provided faculty with the opportunity to exchange experiences in postgraduate student education. He expressed his hope that both faculty and students would gain valuable insights. Cátia Miriam Costa, an organizer and participant in the previous research trip to Macau and a professor at Iscte–IUL, spoke at the event. She shared that the global pandemic had limited physical interactions over the past few years, highlighting the value of face-to-face exchanges. She expressed her hope that the historical connection between Portugal and Macau, spanning over 400 years, would continue to foster close academic ties and interactions between higher education institutions in both regions.
Leou Chia-Hsin, associate professor at IROPC and an organizer of this activity, gave an overview of the field trip. He highlighted the seminar’s focus on “international trends in Portuguese-speaking country studies” and “current developments in China studies in Portugal.” He emphasized the interdisciplinary research methodologies and relevant thesis writing. Leou expressed his hope to facilitate academic exchanges among young scholars in Macau and Portugal and promote their research level. It was worth noting that among the Portuguese young scholars participating in this event, several have received the “Science and Technology Foundation Scholarship (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, FCT)” funded by the Macau Scientific and Cultural Centre (Centro Científico e Cultural de Macau, CCCM) under the Portuguese Ministry of Higher Education. Their research focuses on China-Portugal (including Macao) relations and Portugual-Asian relations. During the event, numerous Portuguese scholars currently engaged in research on topics such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and Macao’s development, expressed strong interest in conducting research and fieldwork in Macao.
