To foster global academic exchange and deepen international partnerships, the University of Macau (UM) recently hosted the Global Academic Symposium, welcoming 28 scholars from 18 institutions across the United States, United Kingdom, Portugal, Australia, Singapore, Korea, Chinese mainland and other regions. Scholars gathered at UM to share research achievements, discuss cutting-edge technological developments, and explore opportunities for joint research projects.
In his speech, UM Vice Rector Rui MARTINS expressed that international collaboration is a driving force behind innovation in higher education. He emphasised that UM is committed not only to nurturing globally minded talents but also to building collaborative platforms for interdisciplinary research. He noted that the symposium is a key outcome of this strategic vision, aiming to promote knowledge sharing, technological exchange, and lay the foundation for future breakthrough collaborations.
Vice Rector Wei GE also introduced the development and planning of UM’s new campus in the Hengqin Cooperation Zone. He explained that the new campus will complement and synergise with the main campus, focusing on cultivating top talents in medicine, microelectronics, creative design, fintech, and emerging engineering disciplines. Through coordinated efforts between Macao and Hengqin, UM aims to attract high-level international researchers and faculty teams across various scientific fields and establish a world-class research and innovation platform.
The two-day symposium featured four sub-forums held at UM’s Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Faculty of Science and Technology, Institute of Applied Physics and Materials Engineering, and Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS). Participants attended multiple sessions, toured UM’s research facilities, and engaged in interactive discussions with UM faculty and postgraduate students.
The FHS sub-forum focuses on the theme ‘Innovative Medical Strategies and Disease Mechanisms’, inviting renowned scholars from Singapore, Australia, Portugal, Chinese mainland, and Macao to share the latest research findings and clinical applications in areas such as precision cancer therapy, immunotherapy, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disorders, toxicology, and the role of diet and gut microbiota in chronic diseases, showcasing the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing medical frontiers.
Distinguished speakers include Professor Wayne HODGSON from Monash University, Professor Boon Huat BAY from the National University of Singapore, Qiushi Distinguished Professor Songmin YING from Zhejiang University, and experts from the University of Lisbon Medical School: Joaquim J FERREIRA, Associate Professors Maria José DIOGENES, João BARATA and Catarina Sousa GUERREIRO. FHS Dean Chuxia DENG and Assistant Professor Zhenghai TANG also delivered talks in the sub-forum. The speakers’ presentations cover cutting-edge topics such as precision oncology in breast cancer, immune checkpoint interventions, CAR-T cell therapy, pharmacological characterization of animal venoms, evolving concepts in Parkinson’s disease treatment, neuroprotection in Alzheimer’s disease, mechanisms of leukemia development, and the impact of diet and gut microbiota on chronic diseases.
The sub-forum was moderated by FHS Associate Deans Hanming SHEN and Renhe XU, and Assistant Dean Xuanjun ZHANG.
FHS Hosts Global Academic Symposium Sub-Session
A Group Photo