The University of Macau (UM) has established a joint lab with the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The lab aims to carry out research studies in brain and cognitive sciences as well as related technologies, in order to promote the development of related disciplines in the Greater Bay Area and nurture professionals in related fields.

Yonghua Song, rector of UM, and Xu Ruiming, director of the Institute of Biophysics, CAS, signed a collaboration agreement on the establishment of the lab. The agreement signing ceremony was witnessed by the following guests, namely Wang Xindong, secretary-general of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in Macao; Lam Kam Seng, chair of the UM University Council; Ma Chi Ngai, president of the Administrative Committee of Macao Science and Technology Development Fund; Zhang Xian’en, a researcher at the Institute of Biophysics, CAS; He Sheng, a researcher at the Institute of Biophysics, CAS, and director of the State Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Science; Chang Kun Hong, acting director of the Higher Education Bureau of Macao SAR; and Ge Wei, vice rector (research) of UM.

According to Rector Song, UM attaches great importance to the development of brain and cognitive sciences and has launched various interdisciplinary research studies, covering such areas as linguistics, second language acquisition, translation, interpretation, and cognitive science. The university has attained impactful research results in cognitive sciences, neurosciences, and brain imaging sciences. He believes that the collaboration will allow both parties to combine their research strengths in these fields.