This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region (MSAR), and the 43rd anniversary of the City University of Macau (CityU). To commemorate this momentous year, CityU organized a flag-raising ceremony this morning at the platform garden of the Tai Fung Building, Taipa Campus. This event aimed to nurture students’ patriotic sentiment and dedication while conveying wishes for a prosperous future.

The Inauguration Ceremony of the 43rd Anniversary cum the Unveiling Ceremony of “Faculty of Health Sciences”, the Honorary Degree Conferment Ceremony, and the Enterprises and Universities Collaboration Agreement Signing Ceremony were held at 10:00 a.m. at the Cultural Centre. Officials and distinguished guests graced the opening of the celebration. They included: Yan Zhichan, deputy director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the MSAR (Liaison Office); Li Xuefei, director of the Department of Education and Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office; Kong Chi Meng, representative of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture and director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau; Guo Xiaofeng, head of the International Organizations and Legal Affairs Department of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in the MSAR; George Fu Gao, honorary doctor of CityU and academician of the Division of Life Sciences and Medical Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Gao Wen, honorary doctor of CityU and academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; and Zheng Quanshui, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. CityU leaders also attended the ceremony, including Lao Ngai Leong, chairman of the University Foundation Trust Committee, Chan Meng Kam, chancellor and council chairman, Ung Choi Kun, vice chairman of the University Council, Kong Fanqing, vice chairwoman of the University Council, and Rector Jun Liu.

In his speech, Rector Jun Liu emphasized that CityU continues to respond to the national strategic initiative of building a leading country in education at this historical juncture of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the PRC and the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the MSAR, as well as the year of periodic development in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin (Cooperation Zone). He highlighted that CityU will pursue scientific excellence in nurturing new quality productive forces while remaining committed to achieving excellence in both teaching and research. Furthermore, the university will further integrate into the overall national development, propelling it towards new achievements. Rector Jun Liu then presented the university’s achievements and its development from four major aspects. Firstly, “Promoting interdisciplinary studies and developing interdisciplinary fields supported by data science” serves as a strong driving force for advancing academic disciplines. The establishment of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) will support the policies of the local community and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area) by cultivating talents needed in the field of the health industry. Secondly, “Emphasizing technological innovation and serving the development of new quality productive forces with academic excellence” provides a robust impetus for the university’s development. Over the years, CityU has continuously made breakthroughs in research such as academic publications, research projects, and scholarly works. Thirdly, “Integrating into the development of the Greater Bay Area and the Cooperation Zone through industry-academia collaboration, contributing to the national economic construction.” From the “City University of Macau Hengqin Technology and Innovation Center” to the establishment of joint laboratories in the fields of data science and artificial intelligence with enterprises in the Hengqin, as well as from the Global Consortium of Metropolitan Universities (GCMU) and the growing cooperation networks with universities and enterprises in the Greater Bay Area, CityU actively strengthens academic and talent exchanges, promotes the integration of science and education, and fosters the development of industry-academia integration. Lastly, “Adhering to an internationalized approach to education” is one of its core competencies, and “prioritizing learning experiences” is its founding mission. CityU fully integrates internationalization strategies into various aspects of university development, cultivating students’ holistic development, and exploring innovative models for talent cultivation.

At the same event, CityU held the Honorary Degree Conferment Ceremony. Vice Rector Zhou Wanlei and Vice Rector Ip Kuai Peng delivered citations for Academician George Fu Gao and Academician Gao Wen, respectively. Chancellor Chan Meng Kam and Rector Jun Liu conferred the degrees of Doctor of Science honoris causa upon the two academicians, recognizing their outstanding achievements in their respective fields and expressing gratitude for their remarkable contributions to higher education and social development. Meanwhile, CityU also hosted the unveiling ceremony of the Faculty of Health Sciences and the agreement signing ceremony to mark partnerships with leading enterprises in the health-related field. These esteemed partners include Serensia Woods, Guangdong Provincial First Veterans Hospital, Tsinghua University, Fujian Normal University, Chen Yidan Foundation, Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Company Limited, and Yunnan Baiyao Group Company Limited. These collaborative efforts between academia and industry will contribute to the development of the health industry in Macao, as well as propel the city’s “1+4” appropriate diversification development.

In the following High-End Academic Lecture on Health and Artificial Intelligence, Academician George Fu Gao, Academician Gao Wen, and Academician Zheng Quanshui engaged in a scholarly dialogue on the topic. This lecture was a part of the CityU Macau’s Master Lecture Series. Academician George Fu Gao delivered a speech on “AI, Drug Discovery, and Vaccine Design.” Academician Gao Wen presented his speech on “Peng Cheng Mind Large Model Series and Open Source Ecology.” Furthermore, Academician Zheng Quanshui delivered a speech on “Personal Growth and Holistic Health.” Through their research findings, they shared their wisdom and insights with the audience regarding the development of health and artificial intelligence. Rector Jun Liu presided over the lecture and dialogue session, along with Vice Rector Zhou Wanlei and Professor Sun Pei, an academic leader of the Faculty of Health Sciences. The three academicians engaged in a fascinating and interactive discussion centering around the development of interdisciplinary studies.