The University has held press conferences to publish several research outcomes recently, covering the issues of an aging population, the financial market and urban renewal and the development of a high density sponge city. In addition, to press ahead with the application for projects jointly funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Macao Science and Technology Development Fund in 2020 and to raise the research standards of the University, the University has convened the 2020 Sharing Session on Applying for National Research Projects.
Press Conference on the “Coping Research of Aging Population in Macao Special Administrative Region”
On 22 April, the Research Centre for Macau Social and Economic Development of the University publish a report on Coping Research of Aging Population in Macao Special Administrative Region”. The Report, funded by the Macao Foundation, looks into the issues of an aging population and the rising demand for elderly care services and put forward eight recommendations on enhancing the wellbeing of elderly.
At the press conference, Pro-Rector Ip Kuai Peng (also Director of the Research Centre for Macau Social and Economic Development), Program Coordinators Wang Xin and Lin Deqin talked about the research project and the outcomes.
The research points out that an aging population is a major issue globally and also the crust of many social problems. Data show that 14.6% of Macao’s population is aged 65 and above. In addition, according to “Macao Population Projection 2016-2036”, the proportion of elderly will rise to 16% and 19.9% respectively in 2026 and 2036. The research team put forward eight recommendations with an aim to improve the well-being of elderly so that the elderly will have a sense of security, belonging and worthiness.
Press Conference on Research Report on “The Development of Macao Financial Market in the Background of Guangdong-Hong Kong Greater Bay Area”
On 28 April, the University held a press conference on the Research Report on “The Development of Macao Financial Market in the Background of Guangdong-Hong Kong Greater Bay Area”. The research project was conducted by the Research Management Office of the University, supported by the Faculty of Finance, School of Law and the Research Centre for Macau Social and Economic Development, and funded by the Macao Foundation. Pro-Rector Ip Kuai Peng, Associate Professor Lou Shiyan from the Faculty of Finance, Program Coordinator Li Hongjiang from the School of Law and Shengjian, Head of the Research Management Office, attended the press conference.
The research report sets out the characteristics, contents, issues and trends of financial cooperation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (Greater Bay Area). It analyzes the qualities that Macao has in developing FinTech and a financial market from the aspects of necessity, social and economic benefits, and the late-mover technical advantages. The report also points out the improvements to be made at the current development stage.
Pro-Rector Ip Kuai Peng pointed out that setting up a cross-border RMB clearing center was an important opportunity for Macao’s financial industry and provided vital support for Macao in developing FinTech and a financial market amid the development of the Greater Bay Area. Macao should set up its own asset exchange and the Macao SAR government should contact related institutions of the Central government and discuss on issues covering the establishment of Macao exchange, the products to be traded and the mode of operation while the industry should work on the details of the operation of the exchange. The two parties should work in concert to promote the long-term development of FinTech and the financial market in Macao.
Associate Professor Lou Shiyan presented four strategies of and seven recommendations on developing Macao’s financial market. Assistant Professor Li Hongjiang pointed out that protection provided by a sound legal system was a common factor in ensuring sustainable development in developed economic jurisdictions around the world.
Press Conference on “Research Report on Macao’s Urban Renewal and the Development of High Density Sponge City”
On 7 May, the press conference on Research Report on Macao’s Urban Renewal and the Development of High Density Sponge City” was held at the Golden Dragon Center. The research project was conducted by the Management Research Office, supported by the Faculty of Innovation and Design and the Research Centre for Macau Social and Economic Development, and funded by the Macao Foundation. Pro-Rector Ip Kuai Peng, Program Coordinator Zhou Long and Lecturer Yan Xiaoyi from the Faculty of Innovation and Design, and Shengjian, Head of the Research Management Office, attended the press conference.
The “Research Report on the Urban Renewal Strategies for the Sustainable Development of Macao Old Town” and the “Research Report on the Sponge City Planning and Design for Macao’s High Density Coastal Community and Its Performance Evaluation” released are two important studies commissioned by the Macao Foundation. The research reports raise six issues for consideration: 1. Defining and grading buildings in the process of urban renewal; 2. The composition of the institutions for implementing urban renewal and the fairness of the operation mechanism; 3. The incentive mechanism for urban renewal; 4. Consideration for the underprivileged in urban renewal; 5. Ways to avoid negative impacts caused by urban renewal; 6. Supervision and management of urban renewal projects.
Pro-Rector Ip Kuai Peng pointed out that in the long run, it was an important strategy for the government to promote urban renewal by accelerating urban renewal legislation to ensure that the rule of law came first. With respect to the current developments and challenges concerning urban renewal, Yan Xiaoyi put forward six recommendations by drawing on the successful experience of Macao and other places. Zhou Long explained the “Research Report on the Sponge City Planning and Design for Macao’s High Density Coastal Community and Its Performance Evaluation” from the three perspectives of “introduction to Macao’s current functional sponge city facilities”, “the performance evaluation of the sponge city functions of green space system” and “ways to enhance the tenacity of sponge cities and recommendations to the government” and put forward recommendations.
2020 Sharing Session on Applying for National Research Projects
The University held a “Sharing Session on Applying for National Research Projects”. Pro-Rector Ip Kuai Peng, Associate Dean Cai Zhiming of the Graduate School and Associate Professor Lou Shiyan from the Faculty of Finance shared their experience of applying for projects with the persons in charge of University research projects and members of research and laboratory teams.
At the sharing session, Pro-Rector Ip Kuai Peng provided advice with respect to the application, setting up, conclusion of research projects and production of research outcomes. He encouraged the research teams to prepare and review materials in a serious manner to achieve a steady growth in the number of University projects jointly funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and Macao Science and Technology Development Fund and to laid a solid foundation for applying for setting up Key Laboratories approved by State Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Education.
After several rounds of both internal and external consultation and discussion, the University has formulated an overall strategy of “Balanced Development, Key Breakthroughs” for the coming five years in the area of scientific research. It will strive to set up Key Research Institutes of Humanities and Social Sciences under the Ministry of Education in the areas of Economics, Education, Psychology and Cultural Industry Management. It also aims to set up a number of key laboratories, including two State Key Laboratories Breeding Base under the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Education, in the areas of urban planning, heritage science, smart tourism and smart health care.