Macao Polytechnic University

Along the winding stone paths behind the Ruins of St Paul’s in Macao, and in the delicate jade carvings shaped by master artisans in Liwan, Guangzhou, traces of history quietly endure, bearing the weight of time. These cultural imprints, formed through centuries of lived experience, now face a pressing question: how can intangible cultural heritage (ICH) transcend generations while continuing to bind communities and carry collective memory? Against the backdrop of rapid urbanisation and industrial transformation, the meaning of “heritage conservation” is undergoing renewed interpretation and revitalisation.

Internationalisation has become an inevitable trend and a transformative force in global higher education, shaping talent development, research, social services, and institutional governance through diverse and multi-layered approaches. In alignment with China’s and the Macao SAR Government’s integrated strategies for education, technology, and talent, and the national goal of building an Education Powerhouse by 2035, the question arises: how can universities advance internationalisation while avoiding homogenisation and maintaining a distinctive strategic edge?

Breast cancer has been climbing the ranks in cancer statistics. In 2020, it overtook lung cancer to become the most common cancer worldwide, accounting for 11.7% of all new cancer cases. At the Faculty of Applied Sciences at Macao Polytechnic University (MPU), Associate Professor Tan Tao and colleagues have developed a multimodal data fusion model to help medical professionals assess how breast cancer patients respond to different treatments. This model is particularly effective at predicting pathological complete response (pCR) during the early stages of neoadjuvant treatment.

The excitement of sports events is in full swing, with the Paris Olympics still fresh in our minds and the 15th National Games just around the corner. Athletes are sweating it out on the field, igniting passion across the city. Behind the scenes of these competitions lies another, lesser-known contest – the science of nurturing top seeds. Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) is one of the key players in this endeavour. As a pioneer in sports education and research in Macao, MPU is dedicated to utilising scientific research to train elite athletes, promote public health, and innovate sports management. Whether it’s creating gold medallists, encouraging community sports, or contributing to international events, MPU is at the forefront of sports science and practice.

Happiness is a trending topic on social media and has caught the eye of scientists eager to understand what makes people happy.

Led by Professor Ke Wei from the Faculty of Applied Sciences at Macao Polytechnic University, PhD students Wu Zewei, Wang Cui and Zhang Wei in Computer Applied Technology collaborated with researchers from Beihang University and Beijing Forestry University. This collaborative effort culminated in the creation of a cutting-edge dual-camera system designed to monitor the actions of aquatic organisms in a real-time, three-dimensional setting. This system facilitates comprehensive collection of data on aquatic animal behaviour, laying a robust groundwork for advancing research in ecological preservation and environmental stewardship.

Forty years ago, no one would have believed that the device in the palm of your hand could be a computer. This marvel was made possible through the relentless research and development of miniaturised, high-efficiency electronic components. The nanoscale magnetic structure of magnetic skyrmions is considered by scientists to be a highly promising new generation of data carriers. The research team led by Dr. Wang Duo from the Faculty of Applied Sciences at Macao Polytechnic University proposes a mechanism for generating polar skyrmions through in-depth studies of the complex behaviours of magnetic skyrmions. Their research has been published in the prestigious international journal npj 2D Materials and Applications, part of the Nature series. This work provides new insights and foundations for semiconductor material research, potentially breaking the physical limits of semiconductor technology and leading to further evolution in both the size and performance of electronic devices.

In the perpetual competition for survival, both humans and bacteria are in a constant state of evolution to better suit their changing environments. Tuberculosis, a disease with roots stretching back to ancient times, has been no stranger to this evolutionary dance. Thanks to scientific and medical advancements, anti-tuberculosis drugs have greatly reduced the disease’s spread and lethality. Yet, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is developing resistance to these traditional drugs at an alarming rate, underscoring the pressing need for innovative treatment methods. Macao Polytechnic University spearheaded the launch of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Driven Drug Discovery (AIDD) in 2022. This centre is at the forefront of medical research, using artificial intelligence (AI) technology to design new drugs. Working with partners from academia and industry, the AIDD team is on a mission to find new substances that can fight tuberculosis through AI driven drug discovery, hoping to create better treatments for tuberculosis sooner.

“Our mission is to steer towards a sustainable future with technologies as our driver, fostering interdisciplinary innovation that benefits all” Marcus Im, rector of MPU

Hans Christian Andersen once said, “To travel is to live,” capturing the very essence of what it means to explore the world beyond our doorsteps. As we tread through the corridors of time, our journeys lead us to the storied doorways of heritage sites, where every stone and carving whispers tales of yesteryear. In today’s postmodern era, these whispers have transformed into a dialogue between the past and the present, with travellers seeking not just to witness history but to experience it through a mosaic of cultural narratives.

Every day, in neighbourhoods around the globe, there are children who step into classrooms to learn a new language.

Have you ever turned to the internet when feeling under the weather? In our digital age, the internet has become the go-to source of information for many, especially when it comes to health concerns. It's a treasure trove of knowledge at our fingertips. Yet this convenience doesn’t come without its pitfalls.

Medical imaging, a common non-invasive technique used in physical examinations, enables the detection of physiological structures and pathological conditions within organs or tissues.

Smart buildings, being considered as the fundamental infrastructure of a city, integrate smart technologies into design, management, environment, communication, energy conservation, convenience and community development. They play a pivotal role in shaping our ecosystems, beautifying our urban environment, and uplifting the quality of life.

An international research team formed by the Faculty of Applied Sciences of Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) advances some interdisciplinary and innovative applied research to unlock the potential of EVs and their batteries, enhancing sustainable transport to facilitate clean mobility and energy efficiency.

“Our mission is to steer towards a sustainable future with technologies as our driver” Marcus Im, rector of Macao Polytechnic University