MPU Members Decorated by the Macao SAR Government for Outstanding Achievements

At the 2023 Decorations, Medals, and Certificates of Merit Awards Ceremony of the Macao SAR held on 19 January 2024, MPU’s faculty and students were bestowed with great honour. The Engineering Research Centre of Applied Technology on Machine Translation and Artificial Intelligence, four alumni and one student received medals, decorations, and certificates of merit in various fields, recognising their outstanding achievements, social contributions, and services to the Macao SAR.

World Champion Martial Arts Athlete Li Yi Receives the Medal of Honour

The 19th Asian Games held in Hangzhou concluded successfully last year, and Li Yi’s name shone on the honourable list. She won the gold medal in Changquan in the Wushu event, becoming the first Macao female Wushu athlete to win a championship at the Asian Games. Li has been recognised for her exceptional performance on numerous occasions, including becoming the world champion in women’s spear technique at the 16th World Wushu Championships. Following her recognition with certificates of commendation and merit in 2012 and 2014, Li was awarded the Sports Merit Medal in 2018. Her most recent accolade, the Silver Lotus Medal of Honour, fully acknowledges her visible contributions to the world of sports.

Li Yi, a graduate of MPU’s Bachelor of Physical Education and Master of Science in Sports and Physical Education programmes, is notable for her martial arts accolades and her unwavering commitment to the field of sports. Her fervour for teaching is just as noteworthy. She has expressed her deep appreciation for the honour bestowed by the Macao SAR government, interpreting it as an endorsement and encouragement for her professional endeavours in sports. In her capacity as an educator, Li is dedicated to mentoring future generations, aiming to inspire and develop burgeoning sports talent. She maintains that a positive mindset is essential, whether one is pursuing a career in sports or in education, asserting, “By embracing our duties and steadfastly adhering to our convictions, we can nurture a courageous and conscientious new generation, thereby enhancing the legacy of martial arts and the enduring heritage of Chinese culture.” She credits the University for its comprehensive guidance. “MPU has provided me with a robust foundation of professional knowledge and training that has been instrumental in my career in sports.”

Engineering Research Centre Receives Education Merit Medal for Innovative Research and Talent Cultivation

The Engineering Research Centre of Applied Technology on Machine Translation and Artificial Intelligence, Ministry of Education was awarded the Education Merit Medal, affirming its achievements in research and talent cultivation while spurring future growth. The Engineering Research Centre of Applied Technology on Machine Translation and Artificial Intelligence is the first of its kind in Hong Kong and Macao. Since its establishment in 2019, leveraging advanced AI, MPU has built the world’s largest Chinese-Portuguese bilingual corpus and most accurate Chinese-Portuguese machine translation system. Sci-tech innovations based on this corpus have been widely applied by Macao government departments and over 40 countries and regions, facilitating cultural communication and economic ties between China and Portuguese-speaking countries while strengthening Macao’s role as a Sino-Lusophone platform.

MPU Rector Professor Im Sio Kei expressed gratitude for the country and the Macao SAR government’s care and support over the years. He said being conferred this honour recognises MPU’s accomplishments in education, scientific research, and talent cultivation. MPU members are greatly encouraged and inspired to continue contributing to Macao’s advancement in education and technology to promote appropriate economic diversification and serve related sectors in Macao, the Greater Bay Area, Lusophone countries, and countries of the “Belt and Road” Initiative.

Spotlighting MPU’s Cultivation of Athletic Talent

MPU student Fong Man Hou and alumni Huang Junhua received the Sports Merit Medal and the Certificate of Merit, respectively. Both are affiliated with the Bachelor of Physical Education programme, and Huang continued his education and earned a Master’s degree in Sports and Physical Education at MPU. Fong secured a silver medal in the men’s team karate event at the 19th Asian Games. He thanked the Macao SAR government and his family for their support and hoped to win more glory for Macao at future international events. Huang, who clinched a bronze medal in the Nanquan and Nangun all-around events at the Asian Games, extended his appreciation for the consistent guidance and encouragement from the Macao Wushu Association and his coaches. Both athletes have translated their dedication and focus in martial arts and sports into passionate performances on the field, turning their sweat into a resolute determination to excel.

Perpetuating MPU’s Ethos of Serving the Community

MPU students excel in their respective fields, serving the wider community with their expertise. Leong Iok Han, a graduate of the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Technology, was awarded the Social Service Medal in recognition of her professional dedication and selfless contribution, for which she expressed heartfelt gratitude. She also thanked the Federation of Trade Unions Workers’ Medical Clinics for their long-term support, emphasising that the honour belongs to all colleagues at the clinics collectively. Leong pledged to continue actively contributing to the social progress and development of the health industry.

Social work graduate Ip Chi Leng also received the Social Service Medal for her contributions. Ip said that in fulfilling social service duties, she has always been committed to doing her part well. This medal affirms not only her personal efforts but, more importantly, the outreach of social workers supporting the homeless. She expressed that she will continue deepening practical social work while promoting its development, again thanking the government for recognising her efforts.

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