Innovating a Sustainable World: Macao Polytechnic University's AI-empowered Interdisciplinary Research
Macao Polytechnic University (MPU) is at the forefront of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and interdisciplinary research to drive sustainable development and contribute to the SDGs. With its AI+ strategy, MPU has established itself as a leading institution in applying AI across various domains and addressing global challenges. The university's rector, Marcus Im, envisions a future where technology plays a pivotal role in driving sustainable development worldwide.
Marcus Im, a visionary leader with a strong academic background in computing and information technology, has been instrumental in shaping MPU's sustainable development initiatives. Under his guidance, the university has embraced AI as a transformative force and a catalyst for innovative solutions of sustainability. “Our mission is to steer towards a sustainable future with technologies as our driver, fostering interdisciplinary innovation that benefits all,” says Im. By integrating AI across disciplines, MPU takes a multifaceted approach to contribute to the SDGs, including but not limited to the environment, economy, education, healthcare, and society.
“Our mission is to steer towards a sustainable future with technologies as our driver, fostering interdisciplinary innovation that benefits all”
Marcus Im, rector of MPU
MPU’s AI + Environment initiative integrates technological research and big data analytics into its sustainability practices for environmental conservation. One notable project is Canarin, a cloud-based real-time environmental monitoring solution implemented in partnership with five organizations across four countries. Canarin is being used for cultural heritage conservation and environmental protection, such as at the 300-year-old Joanina Library of the University of Coimbra in Portugal. It collects environmental big data to provide insights for decision-makers, addressing the issue of delayed or incorrect responses that can lead to damage to cultural heritage. This project not only demonstrates its tangible contribution to sustainable cultural preservation but also cultivates students’ problem-solving skills and mindsets in tackling environmental issues.
Furthermore, the university is actively involved in optimizing green technologies R&D to contribute to sustainable cities through international collaboration. In 2023, MPU and the University of Coimbra in Portugal established the "MPU-UC Joint Research Laboratory in Advanced Technologies in Smart Cities". This partnership aims to develop advanced technologies for building smart cities and furthering sustainable urban development. One of the collaborative projects focuses on optimizing the performance of electric vehicle batteries through AI-based research, reducing battery degradation and promoting sustainable transportation.
Ao Ieong U, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macao SAR Government, officiates the inauguration of the MPU-UC Joint Research Laboratory in Advanced Technologies for Smart Cities.
MPU has made significant strides by integrating AI and its over a century of experience in teaching and research in Chinese-Portuguese translation, thus enabling the transnational sharing of educational resources, fostering cross-cultural exchange and socio-economic development between China and Portuguese-speaking countries. The establishment of the “Engineering Research Centre of Applied Technology on Machine Translation and Artificial Intelligence”, with its development of the largest and most accurate Chinese-Portuguese parallel corpus, has facilitated advanced language translation and interpretation. This breakthrough has been utilized to develop innovative machine translation systems adopted by Macao government and more than 40 countries and regions worldwide. The university also cultivates high-quality bilingual talents by providing training programmes for teachers and offering scholarships to attract lusophone students. These initiatives successfully boost effective communication and engagement between China and Portuguese-speaking countries such as Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique, among others.
MPU’s Engineering Research Centre of Applied Technology on Machine Translation and Artificial Intelligence receives Medal of Merit – Education 2023 from Ho Iat Seng, the Chief Executive of the Macao SAR Government
MPU’s commitment to health and well-being is exemplified by developing AI-driven solutions that stimulate the evolution of the smart healthcare industry, particularly in the fields of drug discovery. The university established the “Centre for Artificial Intelligence Driven Drug Discovery” in 2022 to utilize AI technology for drug screening, design, and optimization, improving R&D efficiency and reducing costs. The applied research of AI in drug discovery holds the potential to accelerate the development of new drug pipelines, contributing to sustainable and accessible healthcare solutions. Furthermore, MPU has conducted in-depth collaborative research in AI + medical imaging diagnosis, including breast cancer detection, automated brain tumor segmentation, and fetal lung evaluation, advancing the development of new disease treatments.
Through its efforts in interdisciplinary research across intervarsity partnerships, MPU has demonstrated the transformative potential of AI in fostering a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
To find out more about Macao Polytechnic University, visit www.mpu.edu.mo.