Internationalisation is an important component of higher education today. As part of the strategic development plan, Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) proactively explores collaboration with prestigious universities abroad in order to promote rapid development in high quality education, excellence in research and student exchange programs etc.
Chair Professor, Liang Liu, President of MUST, and three colleagues were recently invited to Canada to participate in a workshop, titled “Improving Women’s Reproductive Health through International and Interdisciplinary Research Partnerships”, hosted jointly by the Ottawa Hospital, its Research Institute and The University of Ottawa.
An important part of the workshop opening ceremony was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between MUST and Ottawa Hospital Research Institute. This MOU has been designed to put in place a framework for joint research project applications, and faculty and student exchanges through close collaboration.
Assistant Professor Elaine Lai-Han Leung, Assistant Director of Macau Institute for Applied Research in Medicine and Health; and Assistant Professor Polly Wai-In Chan were plenary speakers at the workshop. They delivered speeches, incorporating a brief on the cutting-edge technology platforms and the research achievements accomplished by the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine (MUST), which were greatly appreciated by the workshop representatives. Chair Professor Liang Liu and Professor Jian-Rong Sun served as session chairs.
Photo Caption: President Liang Liu and Dr. Duncan Stewart, Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director at Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, signing the MOU
The team led by President Liang Liu left Canada on 13 April for Stony Brook University, The State University of New York; and Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, where two more Memorandums of Understanding were signed.
President Liang Liu met with Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., President of Stony Brook University where they brought each other up to date about the current affairs and development prospects of their respective universities.
As a leading research university in the New York State, Stony Brook University prides itself on its tradition of providing first-rate science education and research. Professor Franklin Chen-Ning Yang, a world-renowned scientist and Nobel Laureate, was engaged in teaching and research at the university for over ten years. His presence attracted a huge number of outstanding students not only from China but also all over the world to pursue further studies there.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between MUST and Stony Brook University to optimize the advantages the two universities have in scientific research and fully utilise the cutting-edge technology platforms available. The agenda of this MOU will focus on drug research for cancer treatment and incurable diseases with traditional Chinese medicine, and student exchange opportunities for graduates at both universities.
Photo Caption: President Liang Liu presenting a souvenir to Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D. President of Stony Brook University
The team then made their way to New Jersey on invitation from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. This is a distinguished university with 248 years of history and currently has nearly 60,000 students.
President Liang Liu had a tour of the medical research facilities with his team. He and Professor Richard L. Edwards, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs of Rutgers University met for a discussion where they signed a MOU between the universities.
Professor Joanna Regulska, Vice President for International and Global Affairs also joined President Liang Liu for a comprehensive discussion on cooperation in course development and delivery, scientific research, student exchanges as well as collaboration in other areas.
In addition, President Liang Liu and his team also visited the School of Pharmacy at Rutgers University to meet Ms. Rui Wang, a 2nd year PhD student from the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine (MUST), who is currently engaged in research work at Rutgers University. They discussed her studies, research progress and her experiences of living in America.
Photo Caption: President Liang Liu and Professor Richard L. Edwards, Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs of Rutgers University, after signing the MOU
President Liang Liu said that it will be a new starting point for MUST following the signing of Memorandums of Understanding with three well-known universities in North America. In the future, MUST will continue to collaborate with more world-renowned universities to establish more international platforms for developing high quality education and excellence in research; and to provide faculty members and students with more opportunities for international exchanges and cooperation.