On September 20, 2024, the School of Education at City University of Macau successfully hosted the Promoting the Innovative Talents in Macao's Postgraduate Education Special Forum and Macao Global Education Research and Innovation Centre Reactivating Ceremony at the Ho Yin Conference Center on the Taipa Campus. Funded by the Macau Foundation, the event aimed to explore various issues related to the diversified cultivation of postgraduate talent in Macau, including the diversified development of postgraduate education and talent cultivation strategies in multicultural contexts. It also marked the official reactivation of the Macao Global Education Research and Innovation Centre.

The event brought together experts and scholars from higher education institutions, research organizations, and the education sector across the Greater Bay Area. Distinguished guests included Prof. Christopher DeLuca from Queen’s University, Canada; Prof. Zhao Mingming and Prof. Yan Zi from The Education University of Hong Kong; Prof. Li Shuying and Prof. Cao Xiaoming from Shenzhen University; Prof. Zhang Minxuan from Shanghai Normal University; Prof. Wu Bian from East China Normal University; Prof. Li Shengbing and Prof. Huang Liyan from South China Normal University; Prof. Yang Ruiying from Xi’an Jiaotong University; Prof. Hu Haijian from Guangdong University of Technology; Prof. Li Defeng from the University of Macau; Prof. Zhang Huilin from Central South University; Principal Chan Kin Pong from Kwong Tai Middle School; Prof. Zhou Wanlei, Vice Rector of City University of Macau; Prof. Cheng Liying, Dean of the School of Education; Associate Prof. Peng Jun, Director of the Macao Global Education Research and Innovation Centre; and Prof. Martin Cortazzi and Prof. Andy Curtis.

Vice Rector Zhou Wanlei extended a warm welcome to the attendees and expressed high hopes for the future development of the research center in his opening speech. He emphasized its potential to play a significant role in promoting educational innovation, fostering international collaboration, and enhancing research quality, thereby becoming a key pillar of Macau’s education sector.

Dean Liying Cheng expressed gratitude to the experts and scholars from various institutions for their ongoing support. She highlighted the School’s commitment to postgraduate education and the holistic development of students, outlining its mission to integrate research with teaching and to guide academic pursuits through research.

Director Peng Jun provided an overview of the center’s latest developments and outlined future research innovation plans and partnerships.

The event featured keynote presentations by five renowned scholars, who shared their research findings and experiences.

"Designing Graduate Programs With the End in Mind" by Prof. Christopher DeLuca (Queen’s University, Canada) focused on outcome-oriented approaches to designing postgraduate programs.

"Interdisciplinary Postgraduate Cultivation: Hong Kong’s Experience" by Prof. Yan Zi (The Education University of Hong Kong) shared insights into the collaborative operation of diverse postgraduate programs in Hong Kong.

"Social Science or Humanities? Issues and Research Methods in Educational Science" by Prof. Li Shuying (Shenzhen University) explored the methods and challenges in educational research.

"Educational Research Publications and Postgraduate Supervision in the Age of Intelligence" by Prof. Wu Bian (East China Normal University) provided an in-depth analysis of educational research and supervision in the era of artificial intelligence.

"Mentorship Systems for Students and Teachers" by Prof. Zhao Mingming (The Education University of Hong Kong) discussed the mechanisms of mentorship systems in education.

The forum also included panel discussions in both Chinese and English, covering a wide range of topics. Experts delved into issues such as effective postgraduate supervision, building productive research teams, and addressing the pressures and mental health of postgraduate students. Additionally, a interaction session provided students with the opportunity to engage directly with experts, addressing practical challenges they face in their research.

Through expert lectures and thematic discussions, the symposium offered cutting-edge academic perspectives and practical guidance. The reactivation of the Macao Global Education Research and Innovation Centre has injected new momentum into Macau’s educational research, signaling its growing importance in the global education landscape. The School of Education at City University of Macau will continue to drive innovation and diversification in postgraduate education, contributing to educational research in Macau and the Greater Bay Area.