12 scholars from MPU ranked among top 2% of global scientists

Twelve scholars from the Macau Polytechnic University (MPU) have been ranked among the top 2% of global scientists, following a review of notable performances by faculty and students at the 15th National Games.

This was featured in the latest edition of MPU’s magazine, “Sprouting,” which includes interviews with two of the scholars who have explored holistic health and cultural research approaches, as well as the university’s efforts to promote international development.

Nursing scientist Professor Gao Ling, in collaboration with the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, designed audio programs featuring breathing exercises and mindfulness meditation to guide self-awareness and alleviate trauma-related anxiety.

She has been recognized as one of China’s most cited researchers for 10 consecutive years and is now listed among Stanford University’s top 2% scientists in the world.

“When I worked in obstetrics, I realized that mental health issues among pregnant and postpartum women were far more serious than I imagined, and yet there were no systematic interventions at the time,” Gao said.

Professor Lai, a leading scholar at the Centre of Gaming and Tourism Studies, was also featured in an interview published in the magazine, referencing the Chinese proverb, “The open road teaches what no library can contain,” which aligns with PhD students seeking further education within Macau and internationally.

He noted that Macau’s role as a crossroads of Eastern and Western cultures creates a dynamic environment for cross-cultural interactions and diverse traveler experiences.

In an effort to internationalize talent cultivation, the university launched a dual PhD program with five young doctoral students in Information Technology, marking a significant milestone as the first cohort to complete cross-continental research in collaboration with the University of Coimbra (UC) in Portugal.

Leveraging Macau’s strategic role as a Sino-Lusophone platform to connect with UC, one of the first graduates, Gao Hao, said, “Studying in two places is like walking two different scenic paths that ultimately lead to the same destination.”

The program, a dual-track model, requires students to complete two years at MPU to build a foundation and one year of intensive research at UC, covering artificial intelligence, big data, computer science, and automation engineering. Ricaela Diputado