The Faculty of Innovation and Design (FIAD) of the City University of Macau (CityU) has been leading the development of Urban Planning and Design, Design Studies and Fine Arts, with innovation as the core of development. In the new era, the program will serve Urban Governance in the context of social, economic, technological, and environmental changes, and nurture top-notch talents in the field.
First APSA member in Macao
In 2020, FIAD was officially approved as the first member of the “Asian Planning Schools Association” (APSA) in Macao. The membership recognized that the Urban Planning discipline is highly specialized and has a broad influence in academia.
All accredited APSA members are the leading institutions in Urban Planning Education and Research in Asia, namely, School of Architecture of Tsinghua University, College of Architecture and Urban Planning of Tongji University, Department of Urban Planning and Design of University of Hong Kong, Graduate Institute of Building and Planning of Taiwan University, Department of Urban Engineering of University of Tokyo, and School of Earth and Environmental Sciences of Seoul National University. Students and staff of the member institutions will have the opportunity to participate in the annual Asian Planning Schools Congress to exchange ideas with scholars, students and designers from different countries and regions.
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Ministry of Science and Technology – Sino-Portugal Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Science of Cultural Heritage Conservation
In partnership with the Soochow University and the University of Evora, CityU has established the first Sino-Portugal Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Science of Cultural Heritage Conservation, provides high quality scientific output to tell China's story, build cultural confidence, and protect cultural heritage along the Silk Road. As a result of studies in Archaeology, Materials Science, Engineering, and Architecture, the Joint Laboratory has developed interdisciplinary strengths and played a key role in protecting Macao's cultural heritage. The Joint Laboratory organized various seminars to enhance scholarly exchanges between China and Portugal and to promote cultural heritage science in elementary and high schools. Additionally, CityU is cooperating with the Soochow University, the University of Evora, and the Southern Guangdong Laboratory of Marine Science and Engineering (Zhuhai) to conduct scientific research and talent development with the aim of preserving the architectural and cultural heritage of Macao, the Greater Bay Area, the country, and coastal cities in Asia Pacific.
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Craft Laboratory
FIAD has established the Craft Laboratory with the aim of providing state-of-the-art equipment and an advanced study environment. Metalworking, Woodworking, Laser Cutting and 3D Printing laboratories are also integrated into the Craft Laboratory, which fully supports all teaching and learning activities. Moreover, it provides a professional environment for students to create design works and express their true feelings through their art pieces. By gaining hands-on experience, students will be able to improve their aesthetic and design abilities. In addition to offering quality design education, the Craft Laboratory also provides a space for research innovation and experimentation.
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Leading disciplinary development with innovation
Bachelor of Arts in Design program
- The program design strives to meet the needs for future city development. It curriculum centers on Smart City Development, Resilient City Development, Urban Design Management, and Healthy City Development.
- Annual Graduation Exhibition will be held to present students’ learning achievement, and their curatorial and production skills. It is also an opportunity for students to improve their disciplinary expertise and overall quality.
- Metalworking, Woodworking, Laser Cutting and 3D Printing laboratories are also integrated into the Craft Laboratory, which fully supports all teaching and learning activities. It also provides a professional environment for students to create design works and express their true feelings through their art pieces.
- As the only member of the “International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media” (CUMULUS) in Macao, students who enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to participate in international design workshops every summer and winter break.
Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Urban Planning and Design
- These programs strive to meet the needs for future city development. The curriculums center on Smart City Development, Resilient City Development, Urban Design Management, Healthy City Development, and Geography and Environmental Sciences.
- The faculty members are graduated and have experience working at well-known international universities. Over the years, FIAD has educated more than 100 excellent master and doctoral graduates. In the past three years, more than 40 distinguished papers have been published by the postgraduate students, among which the important research results have been indexed in SCI, SSCI, A&HCI, EI, Peking University Core Journal and CSSCI and other core journals. Students had won more than 10 awards in an array of competitions.
Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Design
- The programs cover Architectural Design (Environment and Landscape Design, Rural Architecture), Product Design (Behavioral Psychology) and Visual Communication Design (Creative Dimension, Brand Image). In comparison with similar programs in Macao, these programs have more structured curriculums with distinctive interdisciplinary features.
- Underpinned by the Sino-Portugal Belt and Road Joint Laboratory on Science of Cultural Heritage Conservation (Heritage Conservation, Heritage Analysis, Environmental Awareness), the programs prepare design students with solid disciplinary foundation and all-rounded ability.
Master’s and Doctoral Programs in Arts
- The curriculum design focuses on academic research on art theory and art history, with emphasis on basic theories of Chinese and foreign art, aesthetics, and art criticism. Renowned landscape artists, Professor Sun Jiangtao led the arts discipline development. Many of the faculty members have over 30 year of teaching experience. They are PhD supervisor and ranked as second-tier colleague in mainland.
- Doctor of Philosophy in Arts Studies offers the only doctoral studies in Music in the city. The first batch of students in Music studies enrolled in the 2022/2023 academic year.
- During their studies, students actively participated in various high-profile competitions. Many awards gained. Students had held personal their own arts exhibitions and published papers in core journals before graduation.
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Many awards gained
In April, FIAD student proposed a project, “Wei Li Qing” (Chinese: 圍里情), presented Macao people’s daily life and traditional architectural design in the local courtyards “Pátio da Eterna Felicidade” and won various awards, including 2022 “Art Star” Art and Design Competition for College Students (Third Prize), 2022 FA International Frontier Innovation Design Competition (Bronze Award), 2022 DGL International Creative Arts Competition (First Prize), Finnish AG Design Award and China-Finland International Culture and Art Exchange Biennale (Bronze Award), Spring Competition of 2022 Asian Young Rookie Award (Silver Award), 2022 ICAD International Contemporary Youth Art Design Competition (Bronze Award), and 2022 “Star of the Silk Road” International Art Competition (Silver Award).
In September, FIAD faculty and student research project won the National Final Academic Award in the National Finalist of the Milan Design Week - China Design Exhibition (2022). In October, students won bronze awards in the China competition at the Singapore Art Design Contest 2022. In the same month, students and faculty won a silver award, merit award, best sales award, finalist award, and outstanding tutor award at the Greater Bay Area Branding Design Competition 2022 and the “Macau Brand Story”. In November, students won third prizes in the landscape category, the rural planning category, and the public arts category at the 2022 Yuanye Awards International Competition for Students. In the same month, students won gold, silver and merit awards at the Creative 3D Models Design Competition.
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FIAD is actively working with different associations, universities, enterprises, research institutes and government bodies in Macao, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the mainland and overseas to gather resources in terms of technology, information, and talents. It will continually improve its comprehensive capabilities for sustainable development in global competition.
