Mr. U U Sang, the President of the Administrative Committee of the Science and Technology Development Fund (hereinafter referred to as the FDCT), together with Committee Members Mr. Cheang Kun Wai and Mr. Ip Kuai Lam, and the FDCT working team, held meetings and discussion sessions in early March with the presidents of Macao's three major higher education institutions: Professor Song Yonghua, Rector of the University of Macau; Professor Zhu Jian-Kang, President of the Macau University of Science and Technology; and Professor Liu Jun, Rector of the City University of Macau.

The meetings focused on deepening cooperation in various areas, including aligning Macao’s research and innovation work with the national “15th Five-Year Plan”, capitalizing on Macao's unique strengths within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (hereinafter referred to as the GBA), and supporting the development of the “Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Innovation and Technology Hub”. The discussions also touched on facilitating the transfer and commercialization of industry–academia–research outcomes, advancing the development of the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and big health sectors, as well as the digital economy, strengthening technological collaboration between Hengqin and Macao, and building a coordinated regional innovation network. The participants further exchanged views on the planning of the Macao-Hengqin International Education (University) Town. The FDCT will continue developing digital and automated service platforms to help translate more scientific and technological achievements into tangible results in Macao.

Joining hands to advance the development of the Greater Bay Area international innovation and technology hub
The FDCT also conducted group discussions with the university management and research teams to explore strategies for proactively aligning with the national “15th Five-Year Plan”, particularly with regard to “striving for more breakthroughs in original and pioneering research” and “leveraging innovation and technology to cultivate new quality productive forces”. This year's Report on the Work of the Government of the “Two Sessions” reiterated the goal of developing the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, the Yangtze River Delta, and the GBA into international innovation and technology hubs and global sources of scientific and technological breakthroughs. As one of the core cities of the Greater Bay Area, Macao is home to over 20 national and ministerial-level research facilities, including four State Key Laboratories. The FDCT will continue to collaborate with local universities to drive innovation and technology development across the region. University representatives expressed support for national research initiatives and a shared commitment to advancing major projects, such as the Macao Technology Research Industrial Park, in collaboration with the Macao SAR Government. They also pledged to strengthen efforts in the TCM and big health sectors and in digital technology research, helping turn more scientific outcomes into practical applications in Macao.

Enhancing collaboration with higher education institutions to promote innovation and the commercialization of research outcomes
The FDCT will maintain close communication with Macao's universities to follow up on the outcomes of these meetings. Guided by the national innovation and technology strategy, the Fund will deepen cooperation with higher education institutions and regional partners, enhance support for researchers, and promote innovation and the commercialization of research outcomes—contributing to Macao's active participation in building the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area International Innovation and Technology Hub.