With a view to continuously improving the quality of its teaching, Macao Polytechnic Institute engages in exchanges with top-class universities from around the world in areas such as teaching, research and student learning, in order to strengthen the sharing of information and resources between MPI and other higher education institutions. Between August 1st to 12th Dr. Rita Tse, MPI’s Computer Studies Programme Coordinator, led a team of seven students to conduct research at the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA). Whilst at UCLA, under the guidance of Professor Mario Gerla, Coordinator of Computer Science, as well as Dr. Giovanni Pau and Dr. Tse, students worked in two groups and successfully completed several research tasks related to “Data Mining in the Social Network for the Gaming Industry” and “Obstacle Detection by Using Micro Robots”. Students also received help from two MPI computing studies alumni, Gu Qiqi and Liu Yun Lei, who were participants in two similar exchange projects back in 2010 and 2012. Their outstanding performances then were recognised, enabling them to receive a recommendation to pursue their Master's Degrees at UCLA. Both alumni are now working for successful IT-companies in the U.S.A.

Whilst in the U.S.A. our exchange students took a rare opportunity to visit the birthplace of the Internet (Kleinrock Center), which hosts facilities including its first ‘node’. They were welcomed by the ‘Father of the Internet’, Professor Leonard Kleinrock, who used himself as an example to encourage our students to engage themselves and to be persistent in learning and innovative research activities.

Students who participated in this activity agreed that they had gained valuable knowledge and experience by doing research and putting what they had learned into practice. In particular it was a valuable opportunity indeed to learn from the ‘Father of the Internet’ himself. At the same time the students benefited a great deal from this trip in terms of improving their English language abilities.

As more cooperative projects between MPI and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science of UCLA are now under way, staff members and students from both institutions have the opportunity to obtain valuable experience and knowledge to enhance their professional levels.  MPI anticipates more frequent and closer academic exchanges between both institutions in the future. Moving forward MPI will be even more proactive in exploring overseas exchange options to broaden our students’ horizons and increase their level of professional knowledge, so as to nurture them to become experts with a global vision.

MPI computing students receive a warm welcome from the ‘Father of Internet’ (first from right), now working at UCLA.

MPI computing students pose for a picture with MPI alumni who are now also graduates of UCLA.

MPI computing students pose for a picture with UCLA professors.

In the media:

• Macao Daily News