The Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) facilitated 31 industry-university-research collaborations in the first four months of this year, more than doubling the figure recorded in the same period last year, according to a statement by the public fund yesterday.
The statement said that the increase reflects the growing effectiveness of its efforts to promote collaboration between local enterprises and universities, contributing to the development of an integrated innovation ecosystem in Macau.
From January to April, 31 collaboration projects were established, compared with 13 during the same period in 2025, the statement said, adding that the projects span sectors aligned with the government’s “1+4”* strategy for economic diversification, including traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), high technology, modern finance and smart cultural tourism.
In order to support such collaborations, the fund has adopted a “matching services + funding” model, according to the statement. This includes an online industry-university matching platform, combined with offline support services that connect enterprises with suitable academic research teams capable of providing technical solutions.
The statement underlined that the fund has also rolled out the “Funding Scheme for Innovation and Research of Enterprises – Matching Projects”, aimed at reducing research and development costs, encouraging greater participation from businesses and promoting the commercialisation of academic research.
The projects facilitated this year are largely focused on applied research, with examples including the development of a lung-moistening TCM product, a home safety monitoring system for elderly residents living alone, an intelligent financial recommendation system and a smart cultural tourism platform, the statement noted.
According to the statement, officials said the collaborations are closely linked to social development and public well-being, while also supporting industrial upgrading and economic transformation.
Representatives from participating enterprises noted that the matching services have helped enhance research capabilities, accelerate the application of technologies and reduce risks associated with innovation, the statement said.
Moreover, university representatives said the partnerships have enabled research outcomes to be translated into practical solutions, increasing their real-world impact, the statement noted, adding that five of the projects also involve cooperation with universities in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), further strengthening regional innovation ties.
Looking ahead, FDCT said it will continue to expand its support model to foster collaboration, drive technological innovation and support the development of Macau’s economy, the statement concluded.
*The local government’s 1+4 model aims to consolidate and diversify the development of the city’s tourism and leisure industry, i.e., the “1” element, while putting special emphasis on promoting the development of four new key industries, i.e., the “+4” elements, namely +1) big health mainly driven by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), +2) modern finance, +3) high-tech, and +4) MICE and commerce as well as culture and sport. - MPD
This undated handout photo provided by the Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) yesterday shows its members paying a fact-finding visit to one of the fund’s beneficiaries.
