News

Xiao Jianbo, an assistant professor from the University of Macau’s (UM) Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS), has been included on Thomson Reuters’ list of Highly Cited Researchers 2016 for the citation frequency of his papers in the field of agricultural science. The listing is testament to Xiao’s contributions to agricultural science and the influence of his academic works. This year, about 180 scholars in 18 fields whose affiliations are higher education institutions in Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China have been included on the list. The data used in the analysis and selection of the Highly Cited Researchers came from Essential Science Indicators (ESI), 2004-2014, which then included 128,887 Highly Cited Papers. Each of these papers ranked among the top 1 per cent by total citations according to their ESI field assignment and year of publication. The final new list contains about 3,000 Highly Cited Researchers in 21 fields, 6 per cent of whom are scholars whose affiliations are higher education institutions in Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China. Xiao has published nearly 70 papers in SCI journals as a first-author or corresponding author. 16 of his papers in the fields of nutrition and Chinese medical sciences have been listed as ESI Highly Cited Papers. Xiao received a PhD degree in nutrition from Okayama Prefectural University and another PhD degree in chemistry from Central South University. He has worked as a Humboldt Scholar at the Julius Maximilian University of Wurzburg. Xiao is currently a member of the editorial committee of nine SCI journals, including Phytomedicine and Phytochemical Analysis. Currently there are 46 Highly Cited Papers by UM scholars in the ESI database, 15 of which are written by scholars from the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and the ICMS.
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The Macao Cultural Centre, under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau, presents two family programmes to be staged this December and early January. Right before Christmas, Japanese Theatre Hikosen is bringing the puppet musical The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, while the Norwich Puppet Theatre will be coming from England to celebrate New Year with Three Colours, a children’s play specially conceived for the little audience. Having toured through more than 20 countries, Theatre Hikosen is returning to Macao after an energetic string of previous performances, from Peter Pan to Treasure Island and the musical Chibi Maruko Chan. This time, the Japanese company will present The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a puppet musical based on the classic American tale. Dubbed in Cantonese with English subtitles, the show will take kids three years old and above into the magical world of Dorothy and friends through a colourful rendition of an eternal adventure that enchanted generations of little audiences and plenty of cultures around the world. The Norwich Puppet Theatre was founded in England where it has been producing original shows, workshops and various theatrical projects for over 35 years. Besides its extensive touring in UK, the troupe has been invited to perform in festivals around the world. This time, the company will be using the colours red, blue and green as a theme to present Three Colours, a performance merging projections, body movement and music, guiding kids two years old and above to discover the beauty of nature landscapes. CCM presents The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from December 23 to 25, 2016 (Friday to Sunday) at the Grand Auditorium. Three Colours will be staged from December 30, 2016 to January 1, 2017. Tickets will be available from October 30 at CCM’s box office and Macao Ticketing Network outlets at various prices and discounts. For further information on promotional offers and ticketing, please visit www.ccm.gov.mo or call (853) 2870 0699. Credit card ticketing hotline (853) 2840 0555.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 26 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 13 supermarkets in Sé Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. With reference to the local seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Consumer Council’s latest issue of Consumer Report includes a detailed test report on sunglasses. Consumers are suggested not to determine the quality of sunglasses by their prices and to purchase products with instruction manuals. The main function of sunglasses is protecting the eyes. However, consumers’ eyes may be hurt if they wear sunglasses which fail to protect them from UV rays. Consumer Council tested ten sunglasses ranging from about $60 to $2,000 for their quality. Test result: all samples qualified regarding optical properties The test result shows that optical properties, including UV penetration depth, distribution of light on the lens, etc. of all sunglasses examined, meet the required standard. The test result also reviews that regarding optical properties and durability, the quality of the sunglasses has no direct relation to their prices, as many samples which cost more than a $1,000 score lower marks than those costing less than $100. Consumers may refer to the test report in Consumer Report and are advised to purchase sunglasses with instruction leaflet; it is also recommended to reflect any discomfort with the seller and inquire from an ophthalmologist for advice. Case online checking by consumers The Council launched the ‘Complaint case status enquiry’ early this year. Consumers can log into the system on the Council’s website and check the status of the complaint case they lodge at the Council. A detailed instruction on how to use the service is featured in the latest magazine. The current issue also features interviews of two Class A ‘Certified Shops’ from last year. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) and WeChat official account. For enquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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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.
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Due to adverse weather conditions, the concerts Reunion and Roy Hargrove, integrated in the 30th Macao International Music Festival, organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, originally scheduled for Friday, 21 October, at 8pm, were postponed and cancelled, respectively. The Organization of the 30th MIMF apologises for any inconvenience caused. The Cultural Affairs Bureau sincerely thanks music fans for understanding and tolerance. Spectators who acquired tickets for the above-mentioned concerts can request the respective refund at the Macau Ticketing Network from today until 13 November (Sunday) by presenting the tickets intact. For enquiries, please contact the Macau Ticketing Network through tel. no. 2855 5555 during office hours or through email fimm@icm.gov.mo.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI increased by 1.59% year-on-year to 108.18 in September 2016, down further from the 1.65% growth in August. The increment was attributable to higher rentals for parking spaces, dearer charges for eating out, as well as increases in property management fees, tuition fees in the new academic year and motor car prices. Among the various sections of goods and services, price index of Food & Non-Alcoholic Beverages that accounted for the largest share of household expenditure showed continued slowdown in growth, rising by 2.04% year-on-year. Price index of Clothing & Footwear (-2.94%) and Housing & Fuels (-0.81%) registered decline, while that of Transport, Education and Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco rose by 7.84%, 7.43% and 5.39% respectively. The CPI-A (108.26) and CPI-B (107.55) increased by 1.46% and 2.72% respectively year-on-year. The Composite CPI for September 2016 edged up by 0.08% month-to-month. Higher tuition fees and dearer charges for tutorial classes in the new academic year drove up the price index of Education and Miscellaneous Goods and Services by 7.18% and 0.80% respectively. Moreover, price index of Transport rose slightly by 0.04% owing to higher gasoline prices; yet, lower airfares offset part of the increase. On the other hand, falling prices of package tours after summer holidays, as well as seasonal sale of women’s clothing and adults’ footwear pushed down the price index of Recreation & Culture and Clothing & Footwear by 2.33% and 1.22% respectively. The CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 0.08% and 0.10% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended September 2016, the average Composite CPI increased by 2.98% from the previous period. Price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+29.38%) and Education (+8.80%) showed marked increase. The average CPI-A and CPI-B went up by 2.97% and 3.06% respectively over the previous period. The average Composite CPI for the third quarter of 2016 (108.21) increased by 1.78% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 1.65% and 2.85% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first nine months of 2016 increased by 2.69% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B went up by 2.64% and 3.11% respectively. The Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general households in Macao. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP10,000 to MOP29,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP30,000 to MOP54,999.
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Three students from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau (UM), recently won the second prize at the Tenth National Structure Design Contest for College Students held in Tianjin. The three students are Fan Yawang, Chan Sio Man, and Sio Wai Lam. They competed with more than 125 teams from 124 universities in China, including Tsinghua University, Tongji University, the Harbin Institute of Technology, Zhejiang University, and Tianjin University, which are all very strong in the field of civil engineering and have all passed the Ministry of Education’s recent evaluation of civil engineering programmes. The theme of this year’s competition is ‘Long-span Roof Structure’. Each team was required to design and fabricate a long-span bamboo roof structure with a plan area of 900 x 600 mm2 and a height of 425 mm. The model submitted by the UM is a combination of arches and columns. The model weighed 93 grams and demonstrated a load-bearing capacity of 41 kilograms. Fan says that the competition allowed him to put knowledge into practice, broadened his horizons, and improved his civil engineering skills. The supervisors of the UM team are FST Associate Professor Er Guokang and Assistant Professor Lam Chi Chiu. Tou Ka Man, a technician from the Structures Laboratory of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, provided assistance with the team’s model testing at UM. Co-organised by the professional advisory committee for civil engineering programmes at higher education institutions and the educational affairs committee of China Civil Engineering Society, the annual competition is one of the nine highest-ranked inter-varsity competitions in science and engineering in China. It is also the most important competition in the field of civil engineering. The event aims to provide a platform for civil engineering students to exchange ideas, build friendships, improve civil engineering skills, apply their creativity, and learn how to work with others. It also hopes to strengthen ties among civil engineering departments at various universities.
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ in October on 25 October for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets at Lam Mau, Patane and San Kio areas in Santo António Parish. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. With reference to the local seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will deliver the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2017 on 15 November at the Legislative Assembly. The session will be held at 3pm. It will be followed by a press conference at the Government Headquarters at 5pm, when Mr Chui will answer questions from the press. The following day (16 November), from 3pm to 6pm, Mr Chui will attend the plenary meeting of the Legislative Assembly to explain his policy programme to legislators and to answer their questions. The public can see and hear the policy address and press conference, and the following day’s question and answer session with legislators as they happen. The television channels and radio service of Macao’s public broadcaster Teledifusão de Macau (TDM) will broadcast both events live. The live broadcasts can also be viewed online via the following routes: the Government Portal website of the Macao SAR (http://www.gov.mo); the website of the Office of the Chief Executive (http://www.gce.gov.mo); the website of the Legislative Assembly (http://www.al.gov.mo); the website of the Government Information Bureau (http://www.gcs.gov.mo); and the official channel for Macao Government news on YouTube (www.youtube.com/macaogcs). Chinese and Portuguese versions of the 2017 Policy Address document will be available for download on these websites. Users of portable devices may watch the live sessions via GCE Macao, a mobile application issued by the Chief Executive’s Office, or through MSAR News, the mobile app of the Government Information Office. In preparation for the Policy Address for the Fiscal Year 2017, the Chief Executive has met with representatives of associations and people from all walks of life in Macao in order to hear their views on key topics.
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