In order to encourage original academic research on the culture of Macao and on the exchange between Macao, Mainland China and other countries, the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) launched the 2016 Academic Research Grants programme. After evaluation, IC selected three candidates from Mainland China, Macao and Portugal . In order to ensure the integrity and impartiality of the selection process and in accordance with the Academic Research Grant Regulations, IC has commissioned the Centre for Macau Studies of the University of Macau to organize a panel of experts to carry out an anonymous review of the applications and to provide academic comments for the Selection Panel. The Selection Panel was composed by the Vice President of IC, Chan Peng Fai; the President of the Administrative Committee of Macao Foundation, Wu Zhiliang; the Director of the Research Center for Humanities and Social Sciences of Tsing Hua University, Taiwan, Huang Yi-Long; the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Macau, Hao Yufan; the Dean of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management of the Macau University of Science and Technology, Xie Feifan; the Head of the Department of Portuguese of the University of Macau, Yao Jingming; and the Head of the Division of Research and Publications of IC, Wong Man Fai. After seeking advice from professionals and a profound debate, the Panel selected three out of a total of twenty-seven applications received, namely: 1. “Studies on Matteo Ricci’s world map” (“利瑪竇世界地圖考論”) proposed by Gong Yingyan, holder of a Ph.D. in history from Hangzhou University, presently a professor working for the Faculty of Humanities and Media at Ningbo University. An important researcher deeply involved in the studies related to Matteo Ricci's world map, Dr. Gong has profound knowledge of the research status of Matteo Ricci’s world map and the development of related data. This proposal aims to collect comprehensively the latest findings and to gathering the national and international research accomplishments obtained so far. It also aims to outline in an orderly manner the process or creation of Ricci’s map of China, recover the Western names of places on the map, and further study the influence of the Matteo Ricci’s world map. 2. “Studies on curriculum reforms for elementary and secondary schools and cultural inheritance in Macao since the nineteenth century” (“十九世紀以來澳門中小學課程變革與文化傳承研究”) by Guo Xiaoming, holder of a Ph.D. in education from Nanjing Normal University, presently employed by the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government. From an historical perspective, this proposal presents the curriculum reforms for elementary and secondary schools and cultural inheritance in Macao since the nineteenth century. The study, focused on the current curriculum reform that is under progress in Macao, recommends the establishment of “limited identification system” for textbooks, and suggests the inclusion of the “recognition of identity” and traditional Chinese culture in the curriculum of schools. 3. “The genesis of a ‘translation’: Macao and the Jesuits in the formation of ‘Chinese Christianity’ (1600-1660)” (A génese de uma “tradução”: Macau e os jesuítas na formação de um “cristianismo chinês” (1600-1660)) by António Vitor Sanches Ferreira Ribeiro, holder of a Ph.D. in modern history from the Faculty of Literature at University of Coimbra. By analyzing the descriptions in preaching details of the Jesuits and the situation of their followers in China, the proposal aims to further review the prospects and measures that Western Christianity has taken in the pursuit of their stay in Chinese territory, thus leading to formation of a “Christianity out of the Christianity”. For details about the Academic Research Grant Regulations and the list of grantees, please visit www.icm.gov.mo. For enquiries, please contact Ms. Silvia Kuan, staff member of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, through tel. no. 83996381 during office hours or the following email: silviak@icm.gov.mo.
