MACAO — The Alliance for Technological Innovation and Talent Development in western Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) was launched in the University of Macao (UM) on Aug 19, in an effort to boost regional collaboration between universities and research institutes in western GBA.

Tam Chon Weng, secretary for social affairs and culture of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), said in the launching ceremony that the Macao SAR government will continue to support the universities in the GBA in collaborative innovation and he hoped the cities in western GBA will work closely together in technological innovation and personnel training.

UM Rector Song Yonghua said the university will make full use of its strengths in scientific research to attract high-quality resources in education and research from around the world through an open and interconnected regional innovation system, and build closer relations with governments, universities, and research institutes in western GBA.

Over 70 university presidents and government representatives from western GBA attended the ceremony, in which University of Macao, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, and Wuyi University signed a collaboration agreement to inaugurate the alliance.

Comprised of 17 member universities in the GBA, the alliance will first promote teaching and research among universities in western GBA before shifting its focus on cooperation between companies and research institutes.