From March 29 to April 5, a delegation from NOVA IMS carried out an institutional visit to Macau, under the cooperation agreement with the City University of Macau (CityUM). The goal was to strengthen academic ties, explore strategic collaborations with public and private organizations, and prepare the launch of a joint lab focused on urban innovation, artificial intelligence, and blockchain technologies.

Throughout the visit, the delegation met with CityUM’s leadership, delivered seminars and workshops on Urban Analytics, AI, and digital transformation, and held discussions with regional business leaders, including Alibaba and CESL Asia. The agenda also featured meetings with public institutions such as the Economic and Technological Development Bureau (DSEDT) and the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT).

One of the key moments was a seminar at DaHengqin, where Professor Miguel de Castro Neto shared NOVA IMS’s perspective on how data can generate public value through public-private collaboration. This approach was further explored during a debate at the Rui Cunha Foundation, focused on the role of data in building more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient cities.

Inspired by the experience of the NOVA Cidade – Urban Analytics Lab, the future joint lab between NOVA IMS and CityUM aims to establish Macau as a regional hub for urban innovation within the Greater Bay Area, fostering applied research, knowledge exchange, and solutions with real economic and social impact.

The trip also included media engagements, such as an interview with TDM, and a meeting with the Portuguese Consul General in Macau, Alexandre Leitão, where the importance of science diplomacy and stronger Portugal-China relations were reaffirmed.

With 126 active innovation projects and €7 million secured in competitive funding in 2023, NOVA IMS continues to strengthen its position as a global reference in digital transformation with public value.