With the purpose of encouraging original academic research on the culture of Macao and on the exchange between Macao, Mainland China and other countries, the Cultural Affairs Bureau launched the new “Academic Research Grant Regulations”, which came into effect on 1 February 2015. After the selection process of this year's applications , four research projects by candidates from Mainland China and Macao have been awarded for the 2015 IC Academic Research Grant . In order to make the application and selection process conform to academic standards, as well as to embody the principle of fairness and justice, according to the provisions of the new regulations, IC has invited the Centre for Macau Studies of the University of Macau to organize a panel of experts to carry out an anonymous review of applications and to provide academic comments for the Selection Panel. The Selection Panel is comprised by Mr. Chan Peng Fai, Vice-President of IC; Mr. Wong Man Fai, Chief of the Studies, Research and Publications Division of IC; Prof. Hao Yufan, Dean of the University of Macau’s Faculty of Social Sciences; Prof. Chuan Pang, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies of the Macau University of Science and Technology; and Prof. Wu Yixiong, Director of Sun Yat-sen University's History Department, Guangzhou. After seeking advice from professional and synthesizing discussions, the Panel selected four out of twenty-three research projects, to receive academic research grants, namely: 1. Ties between the World and China: A Study on the Early Postal History of Macao (1757-1842), by researcher Leng Dong. Leng Dong obtained his Ph.D. in Chinese Literature from Hong Kong University. He is currently Director of the Canton Hongs Research Centre of Guangzhou University and a professor at this university, and a specialist in Ming and Qing history, Lingnan culture, Canton Hongs and postal history of the Qing Dynasty. 2. Evolution of the Urban Form of Macao, by researcher Tang U Wa. Tang U Wa obtained his Ph.D in Environmental Engineering from the University of Macau. He now works in the Macao Environmental Protection Bureau. His research specialties include Macao history, its modern urban form and influences. 3. Russia and Macao in History, by researcher Liu Ruomei. Liu Ruomei obtained her Ph.D in Russian Language and Literature from the Beijing Foreign Studies University. She is now a professor and Ph.D advisor at this university. Her main research fields include History of Sino-Russian relations, history of Sino-Russian cultural exchange, Sino-Russian comparative culture, Sino-Russian comparative literature, Russian literature and Russian sinology. 4. Literature Review and Research on Papal Legation to China during the Reign of Emperor Kangxi (1705 - 1722), by researcher Han Qi. Han Qi obtained his Ph.D in History of Natural Sciences from the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is now a research fellow at the Institute for History of Natural Sciences at the Chinese Academy of Sciences and at the same time a professor and Ph.D advisor at the Institute. His main research fields include the history of Catholicism during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Chinese and western technology during the Ming and Qing dynasties, Sino-foreign relationship and the history of science in China. The new “Academic Research Grant Regulations” and list of scholarship holders are available on IC’s webpage: www.icm.gov.mo. For more information, please contact Ms. Silvia Kuan, staff member of IC, through tel. no. 8399 6381 during office hours, or by email: silviak@icm.gov.mo.
