UM is the international comprehensive public university in Macao S.A.R. and the comprehensive research university on the west coast of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Since Macao’s return to the motherland, with the care and support of the central government and the Macao S.A.R. government, together with the strong support from the Macao society and the concerted efforts of teachers and students in the University, UM has rapidly developed from a traditional community college to a research university with equal emphasis on teaching and research, and has gained increasing international recognition in recent years. The University is currently ranked in the Essential Science Indicators (ESI) database for ranking among the top 1% in twelve research fields, namely Engineering, Computer Science, Chemistry, Materials Science, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Psychiatry/Psychology, Biology & Biochemistry, Clinical Medicine, Social Sciences (General), Agricultural Science, Economics & Business and Environment/Ecology. With the official launch of the national development strategy of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, being located on the west coast of the Greater Bay Area, UM has taken advantage of unprecedented historical development opportunities. The University fully cooperates with the national technological development strategy of the Greater Bay Area and is determined to become an important node in the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong-Macao Science and Technology Innovation Corridor and a technological innovation hub on the west coast of the Bay Area.
UM is adopting a highly focused and refined path in scientific research. Adopting an approach of highlighting unique features, bringing existing advantages into full play, reaching new heights and strengthening collaboration, and adhering to the ‘P.I.C.K.’ strategies (Problem orientation, Interdisciplinary interaction, Collaborative innovation, and Knowledge translation), the University focuses on supporting disciplines with local characteristics that are in line with global trends. Currently, UM has formulated a ‘3+3+3+3’ strategic research layout as the backbone of its research development, including three state key laboratories (Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI, and Internet of Things for Smart City), three emerging research areas (precision medicine, advanced materials and regional oceanography), three interdisciplinary research fields (cognitive and brain sciences, data science, and artificial intelligence and robotics) and three research platforms for the Humanities and Social Sciences (Institute for Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences, Centre for Macau Studies, and Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management).
Looking into the future, the University will, as always, strongly support academic research and technological innovation. By improving and strengthening research policy formulation, establishing scientific research platforms, developing cutting-edge research, cultivating innovative talents, translating scientific research achievements, and guaranteeing research services, UM aims to achieve the “R.I.S.E.” research goals (Relevance, Impact, Significance, and Excellence) and strives to develop into an international research university with distinctive characteristics.
