University of Macau

UM will establish 11 research institutes focusing on advancing frontier research and technology transfer

As a comprehensive research-oriented public university of international standing in Macao, the University of Macau (UM) is strengthening its collaboration with higher education institutions in Portugal through different initiatives, including talent development, dual degree programmes, collaborative research, and university alliances. These efforts are unlocking new possibilities for higher education cooperation between China and Portugal, reinforcing Macao’s role as a vital bridge for exchange and collaboration between China and Portuguese-speaking countries through science, education, and talent.

As technological powerhouses lead the charge into Industrial Revolution 5.0—where big data models, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence are rapidly transforming industry—a wave of profound change is reshaping our world. This transformation presents both significant challenges and exciting opportunities for science, technology, and engineering education. In response, the University of Macau (UM) is reinventing engineering education.

According to the latest data from Essential Science Indicators (ESI), a leading global benchmark for academic quality, the University of Macau (UM) now ranks among the top 0.1% worldwide in engineering, computer science, and pharmacology & toxicology, up from its previous position in the top 1%. This achievement highlights the world-class status of these three research fields at UM.

Neurodegenerative diseases, with high prevalence and limited treatment options, impose substantial economic, caregiving, and psychological burdens on individuals and healthcare systems, and represent a growing global health challenge. Conventional drug discovery approaches are often hampered by low efficiency, high costs, and limited success rates, which hinders the timely development of new therapies. This underscores the urgent need for innovative methods that can accelerate drug discovery, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes.

Beyond its historical significance as a trading port, Macao, a city located on the southern coast of China, played a surprisingly central role in shaping the artistic landscape of 18th-century Europe. A researcher at the University of Macau (UM) has investigated the complex cultural exchange between China and Europe during the 17th and 18th centuries. Challenging the conventional view of this exchange as mere imitation, the study reveals how Macao fostered a dynamic interplay of artistic influences between East and West and acted as a crucial conduit for artistic ideas flowing in both directions. Through an analysis of historical records and artistic works, the research has traced the impact of Western art on Chinese literati painting and, notably, the profound influence of Chinese art and aesthetics on the Rococo style in France.

The fight against cancer is entering a new era, one defined by personalised treatment and precision medicine. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in the number of large-scale biobanks being established, providing researchers with access to a vast array of biological specimens alongside associated clinical data, such as medical records, family history, lifestyle information, and genetic data. However, traditional biobanking methods usually involve cryogenic storage using ultra-low temperature freezers or liquid nitrogen, a process which often compromises cell viability. This limitation restricts the use of specimens to processes such as the extraction of proteins, DNA, or RNA, and prevents the cultivation of live cells, which significantly hinders their potential to advance precision medicine.

Imagine a future where cancer treatment is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but a plan tailored precisely to each patient based on their biological information and clinical signs and symptoms. In recent years, precision medicine has emerged as a hot topic in the medical field. Although genetic analysis has been a key component of this approach, researchers are increasingly recognising the need to go beyond genes and assess how a patient’s tumour responds to different drugs. A research team at the University of Macau (UM) is now advancing this goal with their pioneering drug screening technology.

Inspired by the remarkable agility of insects in nature, researchers at the University of Macau (UM) have developed tiny robots that possess both terrestrial and aquatic mobility. Combining innovative material design with precision microfabrication techniques, these centimetre-scale devices can perform complex macroscopic tasks, constructing a cross-scale bridge in the field of robotics.

The University of Macau is using the Internet of Things technologies to drive sustainable digital transformation in Macao, keeping the city at the forefront of innovation for generations to come

A new institute at the University of Macau is pioneering the development of advanced materials that can create greener energy sources and protect the environment

The University of Macau is maximising the commercialisation of research by enhancing its campus infrastructure and industry partnerships

A pioneering research layout and wide-ranging collaboration elevate the University of Macau’s standing in global higher education

To create future-ready graduates, the University of Macau takes a proactive approach to cultivating talent from both within and beyond the confines of academic structures