From March 26 to 28, at the invitation of the Macau University of Science and Technology (M.U.S.T.) and the City University of Macau (CityU Macau), a delegation from Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU) led by President Fu Jiyang visited Macao to participate in the anniversary celebrations of the two universities.

During the visit, the delegation held separate talks with Dr. Liu Chak Wan, Chancellor of M.U.S.T.; Prof. Zhu Jian Kang, President of M.U.S.T.; Dr. Chen Ji Min, Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of the University Council of M.U.S.T.; and Prof. Liu Jun, Rector of CityU Macau. The delegation also attended the “Macao Summit Forum on Modernization and Internationalization of Traditional Chinese Medicine” and the Plaque Unveiling Ceremony of the “Macao Wang Qi Academy” hosted by M.U.S.T.. The visit aimed to deepen cooperation among higher education institutions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), explore new pathways for collaborative innovation in industry-academia-research integration, and facilitate the deep convergence of the GBA’s innovation, industrial, and talent chains.

During the visit, the delegation conducted site inspections of research platforms and innovation centers at the two universities, gaining in-depth insights into their advanced practices in research organization, technology transfer, and university-industry collaboration. Prof. Fu Jiyang noted that the mature practices of Macao’s higher education institutions in technological innovation and industry-academia-research integration provide valuable lessons for SZTU, particularly their explorations in the internationalization pathways of Traditional Chinese Medicine and risk prevention mechanisms for technology transfer. Furthermore, leveraging Macao’s bilingual education and talent cultivation system can facilitate the establishment of joint training pathways for bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students, thereby contributing to the development of a high-level talent hub in the GBA.

SZTU delegation meets with representatives of MUST. [Photo/International Cooperation and Exchanges Department]

At M.U.S.T., the two sides held in-depth discussions on topics including research organization models, university-industry collaboration, joint graduate programs, and the development of Pharmacy and TCM disciplines. Prof. Fu Jiyang stated that the two universities share compatible development philosophies and complementary strengths, offering broad prospects for cooperation. M.U.S.T. expressed its intention to strengthen collaboration with SZTU’s College of Pharmacy in the fields of TCM and the health industry. Both sides plan to advance cooperation in areas such as jointly cultivating innovative talents and establishing collaborative research platforms.

Prof. Fu Jiyang, president of SZTU (left) and Dr. Liu Chak Wan, Chancellor of M.U.S.T. (right) [Photo/International Cooperation and Exchanges Department]

The delegation conducted a site visit to the MUST LIU’s Innovation and Technology Center. Established on October 31, 2023, the center showcases the latest research developments and achievements of M.U.S.T. It aims to promote industrial transformation and upgrading, establish a series of industry R&D experimental and demonstration bases, and serve as an innovation and technology hub. It functions as an off-campus academic research center integrating advanced manufacturing technologies, R&D, and industry-academia-research outcomes, and promoting the moderately diversified development of Macao’s economy. Its operation model provides valuable reference for SZTU in advancing industry-education integration.

SZTU representatives visit the CityU’s exhibition hall [Photo/International Cooperation and Exchanges Department]

The delegation also held exchanges with the China-Portugal “Belt and Road” Joint Laboratory on Artificial Intelligence and Public Health Issues, engaging in specialized discussions on innovative applications and collaborative development of AI technologies in the public health sector. Dr. Han Zitian, Executive Deputy Director of the Laboratory, provided a detailed introduction to the Laboratory’s construction achievements, key research directions, and future cooperation prospects. This exchange further enhanced mutual understanding and consensus in the interdisciplinary field of AI and public health.

M.U.S.T. was established in 2000 and is the largest comprehensive university in Macao. It ranks among the top 300 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (2020-2024), 58th in the THE Asia University Rankings, and 38th in the THE Young University Rankings (2024). SZTU has maintained a cooperative relationship with M.U.S.T. since 2023, with accumulated experience in student exchange and summer programs. In the fall of 2025, several SZTU undergraduates were admitted to M.U.S.T.’s master’s programs through a recommendation scheme. Going forward, the two universities will continue to build stable channels for cross-regional learning and cultural exchange, promoting cultural integration and academic interaction among young students.

At CityU, Prof. Liu Jun provided a detailed introduction to the university’s distinctive developments in data science, financial technology, and the humanities and social sciences. The two sides reached preliminary consensus on jointly establishing laboratories and building university-industry collaboration platforms. Building on existing cooperation, they agreed to further deepen collaboration by focusing on joint doctoral programs, strengthening research and innovation collaboration, exploring the establishment of regular cooperation mechanisms, and promoting the precise alignment of research resources with industrial needs.

Group photo of representatives from SZTU and CityU [Photo/International Cooperation and Exchanges Department]

Prof. Fu Jiyang stated that SZTU will take this visit as an opportunity to actively promote cooperation with CityU in areas such as joint laboratory construction, tripartite university-industry collaboration platforms, and joint doctoral training, exploring new pathways for research collaboration and industry-academia-research synergy, and jointly serving the construction of the GBA International Science and Technology Innovation Center.

CityU, formerly known as the University of East Asia founded in 1981, was the first formal university established by Chinese people in Macao. It adopted its current name in 2011. The university ranks 601-800th in the THE World University Rankings 2026 and 433rd in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026. Since signing a joint postgraduate training agreement with CityU in 2022, SZTU has jointly enrolled doctoral students with CityU. The jointly supervised doctoral students have performed excellently during their studies, publishing or co-publishing over 50 academic papers and winning awards including the First Prize of the 10th China University Design Competition and the Finalist Award of the China Graphic Design Association (CGDA), fully demonstrating the effectiveness of collaborative education.

Prof. Fu Jiyang (left), president of SZTU and Prof. Liu Jun (right), rector of CityU [Photo/International Cooperation and Exchanges Department]

This visit marks a significant step in SZTU’s efforts to deepen higher education cooperation within the GBA, signaling a new stage in the university’s collaboration with Macao’s higher education institutions. In the future, SZTU will continue to deepen collaboration with universities in Macao, expand the breadth and depth of cooperation with M.U.S.T. and CityU, and participate in the development of the GBA International Education Cooperation Circle, contributing to the high-quality opening up of higher education and serving national strategies and regional development.

Drafted by Tierney（方子婷）/ School of Foreign Languages

Revised by Olivia（赖丽伟）/ International Cooperation and Exchanges Department

Edited by Olivia（赖丽伟）/ International Cooperation and Exchanges Department