The University of Macau (UM) today (17 December) held an inauguration ceremony for the Hengqin branch of its three state key laboratories. During the ceremony, UM signed an agreement on the establishment of a branch of the Hengqin Intelligent Computing Platform in Macao. This signals UM’s growing involvement in technological innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

Guests attending the ceremony include Xu Jun, deputy director of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region; Zhao Jianguo, deputy party secretary of the Zhuhai Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China; Chang Kun Hong, deputy director of the Higher Education Bureau of the Macao SAR; Yan Wu, deputy mayor of Zhuhai; Cheang Kun Wai, member of the Executive Committee of the Macao Science and Technology Development Fund; Niu Jing, party secretary of the Hengqin New Area Management Committee; and Yonghua Song, rector of UM.

According to Rector Song, UM aims to develop itself in line with China’s strategy for the GBA, adding that the university has been playing an active role in the development of a base for demonstrating collaborations among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao. In addition, UM strives to assist Macao in its development into ‘One Centre, One Platform, and One Base’. The university aims to participate in the development of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and will help to create a high-quality platform for technological innovation and research service, so as to make a greater contribute to the GBA.

Cheang Kun Wai expressed hope that the science and technology industry in Zhuhai and Macao would formulate strategies for developing the GBA into an international centre for technology and innovation, which will inject new energy into the GBA’s development and help to promote economic diversification in Macao.

UM currently has three state key laboratories, in the areas of microelectronics, Chinese medical sciences, and Internet of Things for smart cities, respectively. The labs have not only gathered outstanding researchers from around the world, but has also nurtured many high-calibre professionals to contribute to the development of Macao, the GBA, and China. The establishment of the Hengqin branch of the three state key labs aims to expand the scope of the training of technology professionals, explore new avenues for the commercialisation of research results, develop an industrial platform for technology and innovation in western GBA, and promote the development of Macao and other cities in the GBA.

In addition, UM will help the Hengqin Intelligent Computing Platform establish its Macao branch. The branch is expected to promote cross-border optic fibre connectivity and resource sharing, and provide smart computing services for tech companies, higher education institutions, and research institutes in Macao, which will benefit Macao’s research and industrial development.

Source: Research Services and Knowledge Transfer Office

Media Contact Information:

Communications Office, University of Macau

Albee Lei  Tel：(853) 88228004

Kelvin U  Tel：(853) 88224322

Email：prs.media@um.edu.mo

UM Website：www.um.edu.mo