Smart cities leverage data analysis and technological innovation to fuel urban transformation and advancement. Macao Polytechnic University, with its firm research base in artificial intelligence, network infrastructure, and environmental management, has strengthened its strategic partnership with the University of Coimbra (UC) in Portugal. Together, they co-established an advanced technology laboratory for smart cities, aiming to provide pivotal technology for smart city development.
INTEGRATION OF SINO-PORTUGUESE TECHNOLOGY IN THE BAY AREA
The unveiling ceremony of the “MPU-UC Joint Research Laboratory in Advanced Technologies for Smart Cities” took place in Coimbra, Portugal, on 26 May 2023. The laboratory was jointly inaugurated by Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ao Ieong U, Rector of MPU Im Sio Kei and Rector of the UC AmĂlcar FalcĂŁo. The initiative gives full play to the role of Macao as a platform between China and Portuguese-speaking countries to promote Sino-Lusophone cooperation in education and technology, contributing to the smart city development in Macao and the construction of an innovation hub in the Greater Bay Area.
The laboratory was built upon the foundation of academic exchange, innovative scientific research and joint programmes between the universities. Both parties deploy their strengths in education and information technology to bolster scientific research cooperation in higher education. By engaging in joint research and applications in influential fields for smart city development, including computer science, artificial intelligence, and information and communication technologies, they aim to nurture young research talents in both Macao and Portugal. This endeavour not only fosters international academic and research exchanges between the two regions but also propels the shared journey towards knowledge discovery and innovation.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ao Ieong U (Second to right), Rector Im Sio Kei of MPU (First to right) and Rector AmĂlcar FalcĂŁo of UC (left) unveiled the “MPU-UC Joint Research Laboratory in Advanced Technologies for Smart Cities”
After the unveiling ceremony, Secretary Ao Ieong U visited the world cultural heritage, the Joanina Library of UC completed in 1728. They observed the operation of MPU’s patented product “Cloud-Based Real-Time Environmental Monitoring System – Canarin” currently in use in the library. The monitoring system, by gathering environmental data, has undertaken preservation efforts for culturally and historically significant structures such as the Joanina Library and the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra. These initiatives have been well-received by users.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP THAT FOSTERS ROBUST COLLABORATION
The groundwork for the joint laboratory began in November 2022, marked by a signing ceremony for the collaboration between the universities. MPU Rector Im Sio Kei and UC Rector AmĂlcar FalcĂŁo signed the agreement on behalf of both parties. The aim is to construct a sophisticated, innovative learning platform to nurture international top-tier scientific and technological talents, fostering education through scientific research and enriching pedagogical and scientific research resources and equipment.
Rector Im Sio Kei of MPU (right)
and Rector AmĂlcar FalcĂŁo of UC signed the agreement
At the signing ceremony, Rector Im highlighted that MPU actively supports the development of the Sino-Portuguese Platform. The University offers a series of programmes aimed at fostering Chinese-Portuguese bilinguals and innovative scientific talents, placing equal emphasis on teaching and research. With the support of the national and Macao SAR governments, the University has established the Ministry of Education Engineering Research Centre of Applied Technology on Machine Translation and Artificial Intelligence and the International Portuguese Training Centre. In addition, MPU has developed a broad collaboration and exchange network with Chinese, Portuguese, and English-speaking countries and regions. The Faculty of Applied Sciences at MPU partners with the Department of Informatics Engineering at UC to achieve notable results in academic exchanges, scientific research innovation and joint programmes. Rector Im expressed anticipation for further deepening the cooperation between the two universities.
Rector FalcĂŁo noted that MPU offers high-quality education to the young generation, gaining international recognition and academic accomplishments across various disciplines. It has greatly contributed to the education sector in the Macao SAR and played an integral part in strengthening the ties between Macao and Portugal. MPU actively promotes exchange programmes between the two regions. The establishment of the joint laboratory marks another significant milestone in the enduring partnership between the two entities. With the experience of working together throughout the years, MPU and UC are confident that the creation of this Joint Research Laboratory will be yet another successful move that produces fruitful academic and scientific accomplishments.
EXPLORING DIGITAL SOLUTIONS FOR URBAN ADVANCEMENT
In response to challenges such as air pollution, energy scarcity, and overcrowding of people and vehicles, many countries are proactively seeking solutions aimed at fostering smart cities. With the swift advancement in science and technology, such as big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain, augmented reality, and other technologies, an extensive amount of data can be gathered from sensors, mobile phones, vehicle-mounted GPS, buildings, and other sources. Such data includes the paths of vehicles and people, air quality and traffic patterns. These data sets hold a vast amount of city-related insights, paving the way for effective problem-solving measures and alleviating urban pressure.
MPU has initiated research on air quality monitoring since 2011, resulting in numerous publications in major international journals and conferences, as well as the successful acquisition of several relevant national patents. Canarin, an IoT big data system developed by faculty and students specialising in information technology, is employed for real-time environmental air monitoring to aid in cultural heritage preservation and environmental assessment strategy formulation. This patented technology was showcased at the G7-Environment of the G7 Summit held in Italy and is currently utilised at the University of Bologna in Italy, the Historic City of Bologna, Sorbonne University in France, and the Asian Institute of Technology in Thailand. It plays a vital role in cultural heritage conservation and environmental protection, contributing to the sustainable development of habitable cities.
Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Ao Ieong U
listened to a report of Canarin’s operation at the Joanina Library
In recent years, smart travel has emerged as a trend. The advancement of IoT technology has spurred rapid development in the research of smart and autonomous vehicles. Scholars from MPU proposed a “Blockchain Governance Game” design to bolster the security of the Internet of Vehicles. Furthermore, MPU teamed with the University of Bologna in Italy to gather data on the lithium-ion batteries of electric vehicles during operation. This ongoing research enables continuous estimations of battery status, control of battery heat, and balancing of battery units, thereby monitoring battery life and driving safety.
Monitoring crowd density is instrumental in managing public safety. Students majoring in Computing at MPU earned the first prize and the Best Practical Value Award in the 2020 Pan-Pearl River Delta+ University IT Projects Competition. They achieved this with their project “Privacy-protected Thermal Imaging Crowd Density Warning System”. The project employs calibrated thermal imaging cameras replacing traditional cameras to monitor crowd density and control gatherings. This innovative solution addresses privacy concerns and portrait rights issues typically associated with conventional surveillance cameras.
Privacy-protected Thermal Imaging Crowd Density Warning System
CULTIVATING YOUNG RESEARCH TALENTS
With the support of the national and Macao SAR governments, the Ministry of Education Engineering Research Centre of Applied Technology on Machine Translation and Artificial Intelligence were established at MPU in 2019. Innovative applied research is undertaken such as the world’s most accurate Chinese-Portuguese Neural Network Machine Translation Platform and the Chinese-Portuguese-English Voice Recognition Simultaneous Interpretation System.
The Faculty of Applied Sciences at MPU maintains strong ties with the Department of Informatics Engineering at UC. In 2023/2024, a joint dual doctoral programme in information technology is launched. This initiative allows students from both universities to enjoy an experience of joint research supervision as a way of fostering a new generation of IT talents. By establishing a joint laboratory that capitalises on the IT strengths of both universities, academic staff motivates students to participate in research projects to promote the construction of smart cities.
The joint dual doctoral programme by MPU and UC is a three-year programme in the field of information technology. Students are arranged to study at their home university for two years and at the host university for one year, with thesis being co-supervised by academic staff from both universities. This dual programme offers students a cross-regional scientific research platform and academic exchange opportunities, enabling in-depth exploration of cutting-edge technologies such as computer science, artificial intelligence, big data, and technology communication. The curriculum aligns with Macao’s economic development and fully leverages Macao’s advantageous position as a Sino-Portuguese platform.
“ONE COUNTRY TWO SYSTEMS” STUDY BASE LAUNCHED
HONORARY DOCTORATE CONFERRED ON RENOWNED SCIENTIST CHEN GUOLIANG
MPU JUMPS UP TO 100 IN THE TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION WORLD UNIVERSITY IMPACT RANKINGS