The academic seminar on Macao’s potential in advanced scientific research jointly organized by the Research Centre for Macau Social and Economic Development and the Graduate School of the City University of Macau (CityU), was recently held at the Taipa Campus. Moderated by Ip Kuai Peng, vice rector and director of the Research Centre for Macau Social and Economic Development, the seminar brought together an array of experts and scholars, including Wang Zhong, associate dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences; Tian Yihui, associate dean of the Faculty of Business; Sun Pei, executive associate dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellness; Zhu Tianqing and Liu Wenjian, associate deans of the Faculty of Data Science; Li Xi, executive associate dean of the Faculty of International Tourism and Management; Wang Po-Hsun, executive associate dean of the Faculty of Innovation and Design; and Zhou Long, associate dean of the Graduate School; along with professors Dai Dingcheng and Han Haoying, associate professors Hsieh Chun-Ming and Ren Yujie, as well as assistant professors Xing Yalong and Kuok Weng Tak.
Professor Ip Kuai Peng highlighted President Xi Jinping’s endorsement of Macao’s ability to conduct world-class, cutting-edge scientific research during his recent visit to Macao’s higher education institutions, as well as his recognition and high hopes for the region’s technological advances and contributions to China’s development as a nation with strong technological prowess. President Xi also set a clear direction for the development of local higher education and scientific research. Macao enjoys a unique position as a bridge between Chinese and Western civilizations, in addition to the advantages brought by the “one country, two systems” policy, rich cultural heritage, and strategic geographical location. Given its positioning as “One Center, One Platform, and One Base” as defined by the Central Government, the city should live up to its responsibilities by serving national needs with its strengths while promoting international educational cooperation and cultural exchanges through various channels. In doing so, it can play a unique role in the nation’s technological development, establishing itself as a window to share China’s technology stories with the world.
Professor Ip also outlined four directions for Macao’s development: First, Macao needs to strengthen international exchanges and collaboration among higher education institutions, particularly by fostering closer ties with Portuguese-speaking countries and Belt and Road countries. This will help continuously expand the global exchange network, establish Macao as a strategic hub for global talent, and create a high-level international talent cluster. Second, local higher education institutions should align closely with national strategic priorities and support Macao’s “1+4” industrial diversification strategy. This includes optimizing academic programs and revving up research and innovation in cutting-edge technologies, especially in future-oriented fields such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and integrated circuits. At the same time, it is important to deepen all-round collaboration with renowned universities from mainland China and beyond, attracting first-rate global talent to achieve breakthroughs in key and core technologies. Third, Macao’s technology players should seize the opportunities of integrated development with Hengqin to accelerate the extensive integration of industry, academia, and research with the mainland. This involves implementing the “Macao R&D + Hengqin Transformation” development model to speed up technological and industrial innovation. Finally, the Macao SAR Government should continue to draw high-end innovation resources, including world-renowned universities, high-level research institutions, high-profile venture capital firms, and top-tier talent, to Hengqin and Macao for innovative research activities through substantial financial support and the establishment of high-quality research platforms.
Professor Wang Zhong noted that with the rapid expansion of emerging technologies and fields, such as big data, AI, and green economy in the new era, universities must further promote interdisciplinary development to facilitate the integration and innovation of knowledge in different fields, thereby providing leading technological support for social development. He suggested that Macao could enhance its global academic influence by exploring new interdisciplinary directions, such as the integration of finance with technology, international trade with legal technology, cultural industries with digital technology, and gaming economics with behavioral sciences.
According to Associate Professor Tian Yihui, President Xi’s recognition and expectations charted the course for Macao’s academic development. He stressed the need to integrate advanced technologies like big data and blockchain into business education, developing business management programs suited to the new era while exploring industrial development pathways and business models tailored for Macao and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). At the same time, it is also important to strengthen the collaboration between universities and enterprises to transform research outcomes and attract more high-caliber talent and projects, so as to build Macao into a world-class scientific research and innovation hub and contribute to the city’s adequate economic diversification.
Professor Sun Pei highlighted big health as a crucial trend in both global development and Macao’s economic diversification. According to him, the Faculty of Health and Wellness will prioritize key fields such as smart health management and smart aging care in its efforts through AI in line with national strategic needs and Macao’s development plans. The Faculty aims to optimize the development structure of big health talent on an ongoing basis, with a focus on innovation capabilities. It will also attract top-tier international experts and scholars to build high-level research teams, bringing together the human resources indispensable for the prosperity of Macao’s big health industry.
Professor Zhu Tianqing underscored the research capabilities and innovation orientation of CityU’s AI and information security teams in the big data era, which has boosted the development of smart sectors in both Macao and the GBA. Moreover, the data security team’s research efforts are a testament to Macao’s potential for world-class scientific research and its strong sense of responsibility to serve both local and national interests.
Associate Professor Liu Wenjian called for increased government support for AI-related courses in Macao’s higher education institutions, covering both AI fundamentals and cross-domain applications, for the cultivation of high-caliber professionals. He also suggested easing restrictions on internships to encourage students in AI-related majors to seek practical experience in local enterprises to better understand the needs of the local market, thereby pushing forward the development of localized AI applications. In the meantime, Associate Professor Liu stressed the importance of continued support for collaboration between local universities and research institutions at home and abroad, along with increased funding for AI-related research, to encourage the exploration of bleeding-edge technologies. He believes that these initiatives will create a virtuous cycle and inject new momentum into Macao’s technological innovation.
Professor Li Xi drew the attendees’ attention to Macao’s immense potential in scientific research, particularly in tourism, economics, law, sociology, anthropology, and education, building on its unique geographical location and rich cultural heritage. In his view, achievements in these fields can lead to Macao’s social progress and improved governance, while providing a valuable reference for broader national development. To fully unlock its potential, Macao must understand and respond to President Xi’s directives and the development needs of both Macao and the GBA, pool professional resources, and deepen scientific research through industry-academia-research collaboration, making its due contribution to overall national development and social progress.
Associate Professor Wang Po-Hsun reflected on how President Xi’s speech during his visit to Macao had inspired the local cultural and artistic community. He underlined the role of arts and culture as symbols of national spirit, engines of social progress, and embodiments of cultural confidence. In implementing the “one country, two systems” policy, culture and arts are useful ways to strengthen cultural identity and promote Macao’s image. He advocated the integration of culture and arts with technological development to facilitate cultural exchange and integration, as well as contemporary innovation. Going forward, it is important to dig into the unique role that culture and arts play in “one country, two systems” so as to pull their weight in Macao’s prosperity and stability, alongside the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
The participants unanimously agreed that Macao has the potential to conduct world-class scientific research. By strengthening interdisciplinary research, breaking down barriers between different disciplines, and bringing together useful resources, Macao is expected to yield more research outcomes with international influence in cutting-edge fields.
Towards the end of the seminar, Associate Dean Zhou Long of the Graduate School concluded in his closing remarks that this seminar not only provided a platform for academic exchange but also facilitated intellectual discourse among experts from different fields, providing strong intellectual support for Macao’s leapfrog development in scientific research.
Source: Graduate School
