Highlights
Accelerating Global Sustainable Development Through Innovation
The term “sustainable development” is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. This definition was elucidated in the Brundtland Report “Our Common Future” issued by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987. As societies progress, it is imperative to re-examine entrenched perspectives with a fresh outlook in order to achieve a harmonious balance among economic, social, and environmental considerations.
Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) stands at the forefront of sustainable development, leveraging cutting-edge technology, interdisciplinary research, and global partnerships to fuel innovations and transformative change. These efforts support an ecosystem propelled by scholarly exploration in education, economics, and culture. In the 2024 Times Higher Education World University Impact Rankings, MPU made its debut in the global 301st-400th in overall rankings, securing its position as the top-ranked university in Macao. Notably, MPU excelled in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal of “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, ranking 72nd globally and 23rd in Asia. These outcomes highlight MPU’s proactive contributions and acclaimed successes in advancing sustainable development.
Fostering AI Driven Interdisciplinarity and Collaboration
Sustainability rests on the pillars of society, economy, and environment, forming a triad essential for our collective wellbeing. Interdisciplinary research, by drawing from diverse branches of knowledge and information, adeptly navigates the intricate challenges across these dimensions. Such studies unveil underlying issues and the quest for solutions with significant impacts to our society, redefining environmental values for a more sustainable future. In this dynamic context, universities play a fundamental role of spearheading interdisciplinary research efforts and leveraging the potential of technologies to shape the evolving society, serving as catalysts for change and fostering sustainability in the community and afar.
MPU adopts an educational model which integrates advanced technology, sustainability research and education, as well as global collaborations. Artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the technological tools utilised for driving interdisciplinary innovation across various academic disciplines at MPU. The model underscores the commitment to nurturing a culture of research-enhanced teaching and more generations of global change makers. In line with its mission to extend educational impact on a global scale, MPU establishes a network of partnerships with prestigious universities, research institutions, corporations, as well as governmental departments and NGOs worldwide, developing an interconnected world in the pursuit of sustainable development objectives.
Sustaining Environmental Education and Innovation
According to the latest predictions of the World Meteorological Organisation, global temperatures could rise by 3 to 5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by 2100. Human activities have significantly increased greenhouse gases and pollutants, exacerbating the issue of global warming. MPU has established an ecosystem that sustains education and innovation for environmental conservation. Environmental education is integrated into the curriculum to cultivate a sustainability mindset among students. The inclusion of “Sustainable Development,” a module for undergraduate general education, is one of the means equipping students with knowledge and problem-solving skills in tackling environmental issues.
Canarin, the cloud-based real-time environmental monitoring system, the electric vehicle monitoring system and the dual-camera aquatic life tracking system are examples of collaborative research by teachers and students. Canarin is one of the educational achievements in the research and development of environmental technology. This system, which monitors and protects cultural heritage in real time by collecting and analysing extensive environmental big data, is in use in multiple cultural heritage conservation projects such as the 300-year-old Joanina Library at the University of Coimbra in Portugal. Canarin not only makes breakthroughs in technology, but more importantly, cultivates students’ awareness of environmental and cultural protection. The system was initially developed as undergraduate projects in Computer Science, and has been refined by four generations of students since 2016. This continuous investment has resulted in an international research patent in big data technology and guaranteed the continuation of research impact in safeguarding historic sites.
The success of the projects highlights MPU’s integrated development of teaching and research at the intersection of environmental science and technological innovation. The ideas and values of sustainable development diffuse amongst students and academics, contributing collective efforts to the enhancement of cultural heritage protection, electric vehicle performance and other possible solutions that tackle global challenges. The sustainable research nurtures generations of professionals with dedication to driving innovative, eco-friendly solutions.
Bridging Communication Gaps for Socio-economic Impact
Effective communication tools are indispensable for bridging language gaps in trade and business. Macao, positioned as a pivotal trade cooperation service platform between China and Portugues-speaking countries, faces challenges and opportunities in this multilingual and multicultural landscape. Language barriers and the limited availability of bilingual professionals pose significant hurdles to seamless communication and operational efficiency in trade, education, and cultural exchanges. These challenges hinder day-to-day business transactions and broader scope of diplomatic and cultural integration necessary for sustained cooperation and mutual growth.
MPU develops the Chinese-Portuguese Neural Network Machine Translation Platform, integrating deep learning and multilayer neural networks with rule-based and instance-based methods within a comprehensive AI-driven machine translation framework. The platform boasts the world’s largest, most accurately matched Chinese and European Portuguese corpus, enabling translation accuracy that outperforms other translation tools in the domain of Chinese-Portuguese translation. This positions MPU as a leader in applying advanced information and communication technologies to tackle linguistic challenges.
The platform has evolved from lab-based innovations to real-world applications, developing specialised tools that enhance societal and business functions. These tools include highly accurate translation systems for legal and governmental documents, and a real-time multilingual communication system for government and business use. For broader public engagement, there are language apps that promote ongoing language mastery and cultural understanding. These systems and tools developed are widely adopted by academia, government and business sectors in over 40 countries globally, demonstrating effective cross-regional tripartite collaboration and bringing socio-economic impact.
Taking a Journey through Arts
For enriching cultural diversity and assessing the environmental impact of cities. MPU is dedicated to the combination of traditional culture and contemporary creative industries, revitalising earliest-developed areas with a fusion of art and technology. In a recent exhibition titled “The Journey of Experimenters,” bachelor’s degree students from the Faculty of Arts and Design displayed their creative projects aided with experiential arts and digital media, bringing impetus to the sustainability and liveability of the city.
In a captivating art project, students engaged themselves in field studies within the historic areas of Taipa and sites surrounding Rua da Praia do Manduco, a traditional market. Through immersive learning in these areas, students acquire valuable perspectives that ignite their creativity in urban planning and development. Another exhibited project featured an interactive environment with application games such as card-collecting challenges and 3D model showcases. The games spotlight Macao’s culinary delights, mementos, and tourist attractions. These experiences deepen visitors’ engagement with Macanese culture and enhance tourism development in Macao.
Street arts in the historic areas of Taipa
Preserving Intangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible cultural heritage embodies the soul of a community, as well as reflecting its values, beliefs, rituals and oral traditions, fostering a sense of belonging and identity. MPU attaches great importance to the conservation and inheritance of rich intangible cultural heritage. The University has amassed a vast collection of oral histories, which is organised, evaluated, and categorised through scientific methods. The Centre of Sino-Western Cultural Studies works closely with local intangible cultural heritage organisations and NGOs to carry out a series of research projects. These projects evaluate and identify cultural heritage of great value, providing strong support for intangible cultural heritage entries at both local and national levels.
In collaboration with local media outlets, a fascinating documentary video series called “Macao Memories” have been produced. These videos are broadcast on YouTube every week, covering a wide range of topics, including festivals, street scenes, historical figures and other major events in the city. It enhances both the public’s interest in intangible cultural heritage, and their awareness of cultural protection. The story-telling cases deeply reveal the uniqueness of Macao culture. For example, Macao is sometimes called a “street” instead of a “city” by locals. It originated from a bustling commercial street (and one of the oldest streets) in the early days of Macao. The Portuguese at that time built residences here, and gradually it took on the appearance of a commercial street, hence the name.
With its expertise and experience, the Centre extends its research from Macao to overseas. Recently, a key collaborative research project at MPU about intangible cultural heritage has been listed in the humanities and social sciences category by the Ministry of Education. The study explores the inheritance and dissemination of Fujian and Guangdong culture in the Chinese community in Southeast Asia, contributing to the preservation of multiculturalism and the promotion of Chinese culture.
Adopting an Educational Model of Practice and Innovation
With a focus on applied learning and research, the University encourages students to apply theoretical knowledge to practice in the form of experiments, internships, and collaborative ventures. This approach amplifies students’ problem-solving prowess as well as their innovative thinking and teamwork skills. The curriculum at MPU weaves AI across various disciplines including environmental technology, language learning, intangible cultural heritage, and creative arts, fostering an interdisciplinary outlook that merges traditional and innovative educational methodologies.
Central to MPU’s international strategy is the promotion of academic and research innovation with global partners. In 2023, the University became an institutional member of two international organisations – the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) of the United Nations and the Sustainability Network of Higher Education Institutions in Portuguese-speaking Countries. By joining these global networks, the University contributes to synergistic efforts for global sustainable development.