Macao Polytechnic University and Shanghai University of Sport (SUS) held a signing and inauguration ceremony in Shanghai for their Joint Laboratory in Sports Science. Senior leadership and representatives from both institutions attended, marking this milestone collaboration. The laboratory represents SUS’s first jointly established research platform with a Macao university, signalling a new phase in bilateral cooperation characterised by co-development in research and the integration of resources.
A Strategic Node for Future Research
In his address, Professor Marcus Im, Rector of MPU, noted that the establishment of the Joint Laboratory will provide critical support for the development of sports and health sciences in Macao. He emphasised that the platform will strengthen the practical components of existing undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programmes, while enhancing the depth and systematic nature of research training. Through this initiative, Macao will be better positioned to cultivate high-calibre sports science professionals with international perspectives and strong research capabilities, and to connect more effectively with leading academic resources across the Chinese Mainland and globally.
Professor Mao Lijuan, President of SUS, highlighted that the two universities have maintained a collaborative relationship spanning more than three decades. Over this period, they have jointly delivered master’s and doctoral programmes in sports studies, gradually establishing a comprehensive education framework across undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She observed that the establishment of the Joint Laboratory marks a transition from a primary focus on talent development to a more balanced model integrating research collaboration and platform building. Looking ahead, both universities will strengthen joint research initiatives and promote the translation of research outcomes, contributing to national strategies such as the development of a leading sports nation and the “Healthy China” agenda.
At the ceremony, Professor Marcus Im and Professor Mao Lijuan formally signed the cooperation agreement and unveiled the Joint Laboratory plaque, signalling the commencement of substantive collaborative operations. The newly established Joint Laboratory will consolidate the complementary strengths of both universities, with a focus on the intersection of sports science and public health. It aims to advance high-level research and interdisciplinary inquiry, while also supporting the organisation of international academic conferences and thematic forums to foster global scholarly exchange.
At the regional level, the Laboratory will engage with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, promoting innovation in sports technology and advancing health promotion in response to societal needs. Concurrently, by optimising interdisciplinary structures, it will contribute to the development of high-level talent equipped with both research competence and practical experience. This initiative not only builds upon the longstanding partnership between the two universities, but also represents a significant step towards deeper academic integration. Through joint platform development and the sharing of resources, both parties will continue to advance disciplinary development and knowledge transfer, enhance overall research capacity, and extend their impact across broader regional and international contexts.
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