Briefs | ‘Sports For All Day’ held at Fai Chi Kei

The February edition of the monthly Sports Bureau (ID) event “Sports For All Day” was held on Saturday at the leisure area of the Weng Hoi and Weng Kin Buildings in the Fai Chi Kei area, the ID said in a statement. The event aimed to educate participants on different sporting activities and their associated rules, and was attended by several experts from local sports associations. According to the ID’s statement, a large number of residents and families attended the event, all of whom had the opportunity to participate in the games and earn prizes.

Minor fire on heritage site roof

The rooftop of a protected heritage site in the Saint Lazarus Parish caught fire yesterday morning and had to be extinguished by the Fire Services Bureau. A preliminary investigation into the case has revealed that the outbreak of the fire was caused by cigarette butts discarded on the roof of the building. The case has been forwarded to the Judiciary Police for follow-up. Meanwhile, the Cultural Affairs Bureau says it is sending representatives to investigate the building. It was claimed that the fire has not caused damage to the heritage site building. In December last year, a fire broke out in the Areia Preta neighborhood destroying about 90 motorcycles. It is believed that the cause of the fire in this case was also a discarded still-lit cigarette thrown to the floor.

UM professors present at Qualcomm

Two professors from the University of Macau (UM) recently presented an “Invited Distinguished Seminar” at Qualcomm, a company that engineers mobile phone chips, in the United States. Professors Rui Martins and Mak Pui-In from the State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI at the UM’s Faculty of Science and Technology presented the three-hour seminar, according to a statement from the university. Among the topics discussed in the seminar were the industry developments that are leading to more affordable hardware, especially silicon chips. One of their former students, Yuan Zushu, has worked at Qualcomm since 2014 and is currently a senior engineer involved in a number of projects. The company is headquartered in San Diego and has also opened internship positions to students from the UM’s lab, with the possibility of financial support.

New IC heads inaugurated

Leung Hio Ming and Ieong Chi Kin, the new president and vice president of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) respectively, were both inaugurated on Friday. The ceremony was held at the IC headquarters and led by the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Alexis Tam. Leung and Ieong have worked at the IC since 2012 and 2010, respectively. The changes at the bureau follow the announcement five weeks ago of former IC president Ung Vai Meng’s retirement. Ung said he had stepped down in order to dedicate himself to his artistic work.

FM: ‘Rigorous attitude’ toward subsidy applications

The Macao Foundation (FM) is “aware of the social concerns regarding the financial support given by the Foundation” and “will continue to maintain a prudent and rigorous attitude in every decision,” the Vice President of the Board of Directors, Zhong Yi Seabra de Mascarenhas said during a meeting with the English and Portuguese media. Zhong noted the importance of timely public disclosure of the financial support granted by the foundation, claiming that the FM is undertaking a comprehensive review of its internal management policy in order to improve administrative procedure, as well as the rules applicable to the assessment and authorization of applications for financial support. Zhong added that the FM will continue to maintain close ties with the media and develop more activities designed to improve the well-being of citizens, especially disadvantaged groups.

Forum Macau headquarters to be built at Nam Van Lake

A total of 12 companies submitted proposals for the design and construction of the new Services Complex for Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, informed the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT) in a statement. The works are expected to begin in the third quarter of this year and be completed in under two years (600 days). The complex will be located at Nam Van Lake (land plots C15 and 16) with an area of ​​about 14,200 square meters. Facilities will include the Portuguese-Speaking Countries’ Food Products Exhibition Centre, the China and Portuguese-Speaking Countries Service Centre, the Information Centre, the Exhibition Hall on Economic and Trade Relations between China and the Portuguese-speaking Countries, and the Exhibition Hall of Macau’s Urban Development. The building is also expected to house the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), among other services.