On 18 June 2026, the signing ceremony for the Cooperation Agreement on the Joint Development of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System Industry-Academia-Research Base was held at the Taipa Campus of Macau Millennium College (“MMC” or the “College”). The event was attended by over 100 guests, including Cen Jiayi, Director of the Higher Education Division of the Education and Youth Work Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R.; Carlos Roberto Xavier, Head of the Department of Tertiary Education of the Education and Youth Development Bureau of Macao (the “DSEDJ”); Zhong Weihe, Rector of MMC; Sio Hon Pan, Curator of Macao Science Center; Zeng Xuan, General Manager of Shaanxi Weixing Zhihang Technology Co., Ltd.; Zhou Jiateng, Chairman of Shenzhen Dongfang Dingsheng Technology Co., Ltd.; Lian Hua, General Manager of Shenzhen Dongfang Dingsheng Technology Co., Ltd.; Huang Hua, Assistant Rector of MMC; as well as representatives of teachers and students from local secondary schools, including Sun Wah School and Pui Va Middle School of Macau

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In his welcoming speech, Professor Zhong Weihe stated that in the face of the digital and intelligent era, MMC is actively promoting the development of a talent cultivation system centred on “Digital and Intelligent +”. Focusing on areas such as digital and intelligent technology, digital and intelligent language services, smart tourism and entertainment management, cross-border e-commerce, and digital and intelligent teacher education, the College is exploring new pathways to align higher education with industrial demands, regional development, and international cooperation. The joint development of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System Industry-Academia-Research Base (the “Base”) will further integrate the College’s educational and research advantages, Macao Science Center’s science popularisation platform, and enterprises’ satellite technology and industrial resources. This initiative aims to promote mutual reinforcement among science popularisation, curriculum development, project practice, and the transformation of achievements. It will assist Macao in cultivating young talent with a national perspective, digital and intelligent literacy, and aerospace technology application capabilities, while supporting Macao’s deeper integration into the national technological innovation system and the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (the “Greater Bay Area”).

In his speech, Mr Sio Hon Pan noted that BeiDou is a major national technological achievement and an important topic for science popularisation. Since being authorised in 2023 to establish the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System International Science Popularisation Laboratory, Macao Science Center has continuously advanced science popularisation, spatial data presentation, and promotion in Portuguese-speaking countries related to the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (“BDS”). The joint construction of the Base will help connect the research strengths of higher education institutions with industrial resources from enterprises, creating an integrated system that links early exposure in primary and secondary schools, university research, and industrial application. This will enable young students to encounter BDS earlier, understand BDS more deeply, and take part in technological innovation.

Ms Zeng Xuan stated in her speech that Shaanxi Weixing Zhihang Technology Co., Ltd. has been deeply engaged in the fields of BDS and aerospace applications for nearly 18 years and has always attached great importance to applying advanced aerospace technologies in talent development and industrial practice. Through the joint development of the Base, the company will actively contribute technical resources in satellite development and manufacturing, satellite applications, and technological innovation in space data, bringing frontline cases and cutting-edge industrial technologies into the campus. Together with all partners, the company will help cultivate young technology innovators with strong core technical capabilities.

Professor Zhong Weihe, Mr Sio Hon Pan, and Ms Zeng Xuan signed the cooperation agreement, witnessed by guests including Cen Jiayi and Carlos Roberto Xavier. According to the agreement, the three parties will integrate the advantageous resources of MMC in higher education and academic research, Macao Science Center in science popularisation and exhibition education, and Shaanxi Weixing Zhihang Technology Co., Ltd. in technological R&D and market application, to establish a long-term, stable, and efficient industry-academia-research partnership. The Base will focus on cooperation in areas such as scientific research collaboration and technological innovation, talent cultivation and exchange, science popularisation, and the transformation of achievements and industrial promotion.

Following the signing ceremony, the guests visited the exhibition “Starlight over Macao for 26 Years: BDS and Macao Growing Together”. Through images, models, and interactive installations, the exhibition presented the close connection between BDS and Macao, showcased China’s aerospace development, BDS application scenarios and content related to the “Shaanxi Navigation 1” satellite, allowing visitors to experience the appeal of BDS in an immersive setting.

A symposium for the signing parties was also held during the event. During the symposium, the parties engaged in discussions regarding the subsequent development of the Base, applications for scientific research projects, the development of BDS technology and application-related courses and nano degrees, industrial mentor mechanisms, the introduction of science popularisation resources, the establishment of student practice platforms, BDS application demonstration projects, and industry-academia-research collaboration mechanisms.

During the event, MMC and Macao Science Center delivered a BDS science class for representatives of teachers and students from primary and middle schools in Macao. The session introduced the core functions, orbital knowledge, and application value of BDS through satellite models, interactive games, and expert explanations.

The signing marks a new step for MMC in deepening the cultivation of digital and intelligent talent, expanding technological education resources, and promoting industry-academia-research integration. Looking ahead, MMC will take the development of the Base as an opportunity to further deepen collaboration with partners including Macao Science Center and Shaanxi Weixing Zhihang Technology Co., Ltd., supporting the popularisation, educational practice, technological innovation, and scenario-based application of BDS technology in Macao, so that the light of BDS may shine even more brightly in Macao.