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A research project on the Internet of Things (IOT), headed by the University of Macau (UM) Rector Wei Zhao, has been approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China as a project under the “973 Programme”. The “973 Programme” is otherwise known as the “National Key Fundamental Research Development Programme”. It is launched by the Chinese government in March 1997, hence the name “973”. The strategic objective of this programme is to address major scientific issues encountered in the economic and societal development of China, thereby providing technological support for the country’s long-term development and gaining a head start in the fierce international competition. The majority of the research team members are from UM, with the rest coming from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Tsinghua University, Tongji University, and East China Normal University. UM enjoys some unparalleled advantages in carrying out IOT research. First and foremost, Prof. Wei Zhao, rector of UM and chief scientist of this project, is a world-renowned expert in the field of IOT. During his tenure as the director of the Division of Computer and Network Systems at the National Science Foundation of the United States, he initiated the first IOT research programme in the US and was in charge of approving funds for the first projects. Besides Prof. Wei Zhao, the team consists of more than 30 other world-renowned experts, including one academician, three chair professors, five members of The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and three winners of the National Outstanding Young Scientist Award. These experts specialize in various fields, such as sensor network, real-time system, telecommunication system, software system, electric power system, and so on. The composition of the team represents the highest IOT research level in China. UM Rector Wei Zhao noted that this project, by far the highest-level IOT project in China, will not only go a long way towards enhancing UM’s research capability, but also offers a chance for UM to leave a mark on Macao, China and even the entire human society in economic, cultural, scientific, technological, and cultural arenas. The term “Internet of Things (IOT)” made its first appearance in a report issued by the International Telecommunication Union in 2005. According to the report, networks not only can connect people and allow people to obtain information about objects, but also can realize the communication between objects. When technologies are ready, IOT will have a sweeping influence on the world. By then, almost anything one can conceive of can be connected to a computer, from the most state-of-the-art satellites to a most mundane coffee machine. A novel concept, IOT is a worldwide focus of interest. China has already identified “IOT” as a component of the “12th 5-Year Plan”. In 2009 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao put forward the idea of “sensing China” and explicitly encouraged the development of “IOT” technology. In the same year, Japan, whose high-and-new-tech industries are highly developed, devised a strategy known as “i-Japan”. In 2010 Chinese President Hu Jintao increased the profile of IOT to an unprecedented degree when he instructed attendees of the 15th conference of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the 10th conference of the Chinese Academy of Engineering to “accelerate the development of IOT”.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that a total of 782 new companies were incorporated in the third quarter of 2010, up by 20.1% year-on-year; the total value of registered capital surged by 1.8 times to MOP206 million. Among the new incorporations, 25 were operating in Financial Services and the registered capital totalled MOP102 million, 312 in Wholesale and Retail, 123 in Business Services and 92 in Real Estate. Furthermore, 496 new companies were incorporated with registered capital under MOP50,000, accounting for 63.4% of the total, and the value of capital (MOP13 million) made up merely 6.3% of the total registered capital. Meanwhile, there were 21 new companies incorporated with registered capital of MOP1,000,000 or over, and the value of capital (MOP158 million) accounted for 76.3% of the total. In addition, more than 80% of the new incorporations were limited companies. Capital of the new companies came mainly from Hong Kong (MOP105 million), Macao (MOP74 million) and Mainland China (MOP12 million). In the third quarter of 2010, capital originating from the 9 provinces of the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region amounted to MOP7 million, with that from Guangdong province leading at MOP5 million. Analyzed by place of residence of the shareholders, 473 new companies were established solely by Macao shareholders, and 100 were joint ventures between shareholders from Macao and other countries or regions. In the third quarter of 2010, number of companies in dissolution totalled 120 and the value of registered capital amounted to MOP10 million, of which 31 operated in Wholesale and Retail, those of Real Estate Activities and Construction had 21 each.
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Macao’s Case in the Urban Best Practices Area – Tak Seng On has been awarded a memorial silver medal by the International Exhibitions Bureau (B.I.E.) for its excellent exhibition and participation in the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. Ms. Christiana P.Y. Ieong, the Coordinator General of Macau’s Case, received the award on behalf of the Macao SAR Government. Vicente Loscertales, secretary-general of B.I.E, and Hong Hao, director general of the Bureau of Shanghai World Expo Coordination), attended the ceremony with about 300 UBPA pavilion staff. At the ceremony, all participating cities at the Urban Best Practices Area were awarded the B.I.E. memorial silver medals, including Macao’s Case – Tak Seng On as recognition to their unwavering support to the UBPA project throughout the Expo period. Urban Best Practice Area is a major innovation at the Shanghai World Expo. Having undergone a rigorous selection process by an international selection committee, “Tak Seng On” was chosen to showcase Macao’s success story in the restoration and reuse of historic buildings.
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Prof. Philip Chen Chun-Lung, the dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology (FST) of the University of Macau (UM), has been elected President-elect of the Systems, Man, and Cybernetics Society (SMC) of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). Prof. Chen is the first active scholar from the Greater China region to be elected to this position, showing international recognition of his professional contributions. iPhone and smart homes are gaining popularity throughout the world. These intelligent technologies, which make life better and more convenient and are changing human’s way of living, falls within Prof. Chen’s area of expertise. Prof. Chen’s research interests include theoretical development of computational intelligence, intelligent systems, robotics and manufacturing automation, networking, diagnosis and prognosis, and life prediction and life-extending control. After receiving his PhD degree in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, USA, in 1988, Prof. Chen joined Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio as a professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Later he worked at the University of Texas at San Antonio as department chair and associate dean. During his work at UM, Prof. Chen is committed to pushing forward the international accreditation of education in engineering as well as coordination for research projects. He also actively participates in relevant professional organizations. His outstanding achievements have earned him two Outstanding Contribution Awards from IEEE SMCS. Besides serving as the Fellow of IEEE, which is the world’s most authoritative professional organization in the field of electrical and electronic engineering, he also served as the Vice-President and the Treasurer of SMC of IEEE. During his four-year tenure, Prof. Chen served as the founding chair of the SMC Chapter at the Central Texas Section, a founding Co-Chair of the Macau Chapter, and a founding Co-Chair of three Technical Committees (System of Systems, Enterprise Information Systems, and Information Assurance & Intelligent Multimedia-Mobile Communications). He used to serve as a visiting research scientist at the Materials Directorate, US Air Force Wright Lab, a senior research fellow sponsored by the US National Research Council, and a research faculty fellow for NASA Glenn Research Center. This year, he was elected president of IEEE SMC Society, becoming the only active scholar from the Greater China region to have been elected to this position. He will assume office starting from January, 2012. As the president of the IEEE SMC Society, Prof. Chen says that his goal is to increase the world-wide membership by 10%, identify and promote emerging technology areas in SMCS, elevate the professional and academic status of members. Besides, he also plans to organize various international conferences and research projects with the aim of enhancing UM’s research quality and international reputation. IEEE is an international non-profit, professional organization for the advancement of technology related to electricity. It has the most members of any technical professional organizations in the world, with more than 395,000 members in around 150 countries. IEEE produces 30% of the world's literature in the fields of electrical and electronics engineering and computer sciences, published in well over 100 peer-reviewed journals The IEEE SMC Society currently has 6,000 members from technical professional industries and academic institutes, leading innovative technologies such as neural networks and intelligent control. Prof. Chen was also an associate editor of a Transaction, a Distinguished Lecturer and the General Chair of the 2009 IEEE Systems, Man, and Cybernetics (SMC) annual conference.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service indicated that a total of 2,210 establishments were operating in the Transport, Storage & Communications Sector in 2009, an increase of 16 from 2008; number of persons engaged totalled 14,748, down by 1%. Total Receipts and Total Expenditure amounted to MOP 14.21 billion and MOP 12.96 billion, down by 9% each year-on-year. Gross Value Added that measures the sectoral contribution to the economy rose by 6% over 2008 to MOP 4.30 billion; meanwhile, Gross Fixed Capital Formation went down by 6% year-on-year to MOP 1.17 billion. In 2009, there were 2,175 establishments operating in the Transport & Storage Sector, an increase of 16 year-on-year; number of persons engaged decreased by 1% to 12,869. There were 1,739 establishments operating in Land Transport (80% of the Transport & Storage Sector); besides, 409 were engaging in Supporting & Auxiliary Transport Activities, with 169 being travel agencies. Attributable to the sluggish world economy in 2009, Total Receipts of the Transport & Storage Sector decreased by 11% over 2008 to MOP 10.56 billion, with those from Passenger Transport (MOP 4.57 billion) and Cargo Transport (MOP 1.12 billion) dropping by 12% and 44% respectively. Meanwhile, Total Expenditure also decreased by 11% year-on-year to MOP 10.56 billion, of which Operating Expenses (MOP 5.36 billion) and Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid (MOP 2.97 billion) fell by 20% and 1% respectively, while Compensation of Employees (MOP 1.92 billion) went up by 5%. However, Gross Value Added (MOP 2.24 billion) and Gross Fixed Capital Formation (MOP 821 million) increased by 3% and 2% respectively over 2008. In 2009, a total of 35 establishments were operating in the Communications Sector, same as that in 2008, and number of persons engaged dropped by 2% to 1,879. Total Receipts of the Communications Sector amounted to MOP 3.64 billion, down by 2% over 2008, of which Receipts from the provision of services and sales of goods stood at MOP 3.15 billion (86% of total), down slightly by 1%. Total Expenditure decreased by 2% year-on-year to MOP 2.40 billion, with Purchase of Goods & Commission Paid (MOP 1.00 billion) and Operating Expenses (MOP 555 million) decreasing by 10% and 16% respectively. Gross Value Added rose by 9% over 2008 to MOP 2.06 billion, while Gross Fixed Capital Formation decreased by 21% to MOP 350 million.
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Consumer Council’s latest specific price survey report on rice, compared to the previous report, reflects stability in prices of most surveyed items. Only 2 out of 16 surveyed items record increases in prices of less than 9 per cent and 1 per cent respectively. Prices of other items remain unchanged. In the current price survey on rice, ‘Red Lotus (5kg)’ and ‘Golden Rabbit (10kg)’ record increases in price of less than 9 per cent and 1 per cent respectively. The Council started this specific price survey report on rice from January and will continue to keep an eye on the market price trend. Consumers are advised to check with the report for the most updated prices. The specific price survey report on rice is now available online at the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiries, please call 8988 9315.
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The Macao SAR Government has officially joined the Public Key Directory (PKD) of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) since 28 September 2010, becoming the 19th participant in the name of “Macao, China”. This participation not only helps the promotion of Macao SAR electronic travel documents to other countries, but also enhances the international recognition of Macao SAR electronic travel documents. Public Key Infrastructure is a significant component of electronic travel documents. It creates an electronic signature (which is created by computing the information mathematically, and acts as if a hand-written signature on an electronic document) for the information stored in the chip embedded in the electronic travel document with an electronic certificate (a digital document for authenticating the identity of the issuing authority.), ensuring that the chip information of the travel document has not been altered. The “Country Signing Certificate Authority Certificate”, the “Document Signer Certificate” and the “Certificate Revocation List” have to be used in the process. The Public Key Directory is a platform where the abovementioned “Document Signer Certificate” and “Certificate Revocation List” are stored. It provides a reliable, secure and efficient method for each member country and region to exchange the abovementioned certificates, facilitating the authentication of the chip information of travel documents for the immigration control department of every country and region.
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David Wong, Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage Department of Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT), has been selected as Judge, the only one from Macao in the competition of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition (Hong Kong IWSC), the truly Asian wine competition, held on 30 October – 2 November, 2010. David, on top of his managerial role in the Institute’s F&B Department, also lectures on theory of culinary, food and beverage management and wine studies of the Bachelor Degree Programme. He has released a second edition of his cookbook titled “The Art of Modern Portuguese Cuisine” and is one of the founding members of the Macau Culinary Association, the Secretary General for Disciples of Escoffier in Macao and also the Conseiller Gastronomie for the Confrérie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, Macau. David has many years of experience in the industry, having worked with the late Jean Bordier (M.O.F and Chairman of the Master Chefs of France) at the L’Aubergade in France, Anton Mosimann, London, UK, Raymond Blanc, “Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons” in Oxford, UK and Rick Stein (OBE) in Padstow, UK follow by working in Asia at the Mandarin Oriental in Macao, Westin and Sheraton properties in Thailand. A regular food and wine judge on the International circuit, David also writes restaurant reviews and wine columns for South China Morning Post, Macau Closer, Macau Daily Times and Fine Drinks Magazine. He is an honourary advisor for the Association of Bartenders & Sommeliers in Macao and is an approved tutor for the Wine and Institution Trust, UK (WSET). The Hong Kong IWSC saw a top class panel of Asia’s most esteemed wine judges from Mainland China, Chinese Taiwan, Hong Kong SAR, Macao SAR, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand and India – including the competition’s director and Master of Wine, Debra Meiburg together with Simon Tam. The guest judge this year was Mr. Tim Atkins. Mr. Atkins is an award–winning wine writer and Master of Wine with 25 Years’ experience. He is not only one of Britain’s leading wine writers, but also the wine critic of The Times' The Table supplement, and Wine Editor at Large of Off Licence News. Independence and impartiality are the fundamental concerns for the judging process of the Hong Kong IWSC. Key procedures including blind tasting, anonymously-poured samples and a judging panel selected from outside of the wine trade community (including wine journalists, commentators, educators, food and beverage professionals, wine buyers and private collectors) have been implemented to ensure the absolute integrity of the competition’s results. IFT is gratified by the appointment of David Wong as the Judge of the Hong Kong International Wine & Spirit Competition. This is an acknowledgement of the standard of IFT’s faculty and by actively participating in internationally organised events, teaching experience can be further enhanced through knowledge and experience sharing among participants.
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The 2010 “Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System” (MORS) Gold Pin Competition Award Presentation Ceremony was held today at the Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT). Eng. Joao Antunes, Director of Macau Government Tourist Office, Ms. Noémia Lameiras, Deputy Director of Labour Affairs Bureau, Mr. Johnson Chan, Chairman of Macau Hotel Association and Mr. Lei Pou Loi, President of Macao Hotelier Association, presented awards to the winners. This year, there are 10 sessions of competitions altogether, including Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen), Bartender, Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level), Chinese Cook - Dim Sum (Intermediate Level), Concierge and Bell Attendant, Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer, Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry, Room Attendant, Waiter/Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service) and Waiter/Waitress (Western Restaurant Service). The final round of the competitions was held on 28 and 29 October at Grand Lisboa Hotel and Venetian Exhibition Hall A, respectively. The competition adapts a process of elimination, with 3 rounds of contests for each competition. The first 2 rounds of contests were held in forms of written examination and skill evaluation according to the fundamental knowledge covered in the MORS training manuals. Participants without MORS certificate will need to go through the first round. In order to be admitted to the second round, the contestants must reach a minimum score of 75%, and compete with those who possess the certificate. Contestants with excellent performances in the second round from each competition will be invited to join the final and given the certificates. Contestants aim at the 2 winning positions in each competition. Juries formed by over 30 respectful executives from the industry will observe closely and assess the contestants for the final winners, who will receive a MORS Gold Pin, MOP6,000 cash award and a scholarship of MOP2,000 for PACES training courses. Launched in 2001, Macao Occupational Skills Recognition System (MORS) is a joint effort of the Tourism Industry of Macao and IFT with the main objective to upgrade human resources in the industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions. At this moment, skills standards are introduced for the following occupations: - Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen)
- Bartender
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Elementary)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Elementary)
- Chinese Cook – Cantonese Dim Sum (Intermediate)
- Concierge and Bell Attendant
- Customer Relations Officer
- Front Desk Agent
- Retail Sales Officer
- Room Attendant
- Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry
- Travel Consultant
- Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)
- Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service) To reward and demonstrate outstanding MORS recognised professionals, IFT has been organising the Gold Pin Competition since 2002. Precipitants can be Entry-level Professionals sent by each training centre or they can be entering individually. There are 31 organisations, 342 participants taking part in the competitions this year. Gold Pin Competition final round contests examine contestants on their practical skills and details are as follows: Assistant Cook (Western Kitchen) Contestants have to bring in their own ingredients to create a menu consisting of a starter, a main course and a dessert; the time frame for preparation was two hours. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Bartender Within a time frame, contestants have to choose at least one ingredient from the provided list and bring in their own ingredients and glassware to create a cocktail for two persons. The jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, presentation, flavour, speed and consistency of the drink. Chinese Cook – Cantonese Cuisine (Intermediate level)
Contestants have to bring in their own ingredients to prepare two dishes (one assigned by IFT and the other one was created by the contestant), the time frame for preparation was 90 minutes. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Chinese Cook – Dim Sum (Intermediate level)
Contestants have to bring in their own ingredients to prepare two types of dumping and create one dessert, the time frame for preparation was two hours. Jury team assessed the contestants on technical skills, creativity, organisational skills, hygiene, taste, presentation and consistency. Concierge and Bell Attendant
Quiz Bee was adopted in the final round. Questions are designed to test the contestants’ job knowledge, information about Macao, tourist attractions, current events, language competence, etc. Front Desk Agent/Customer Relations Officer
Each contestant will compete with each other in individual Quiz Bee on Front Desk / Customer Relations knowledge and skills as well as assigned questions, questions in this round go deep into each category. The jury team assessed the contestants on their selling techniques, product knowledge, communication skills, language competence, body gesture, timing and overall presentation. Room Attendant
The participants will be given a maximum of 15 minutes to make up beds. The jury team assessed the contestants on speed and quality of work. Security Officer for Tourism and Gaming Industry
Quiz Bee was adopted in the final round. Questions are designed to test the contestants’ job knowledge, skill, guest relations, language and listening competence, etc. Waiter / Waitress (Chinese Restaurant Service)
Contestants will be asked to share/spilt a special dish of food equally on trolley and to serve afterwards in 20 minutes. Assessment was based on technical skills, knowledge, speed and service quality. Waiter / Waitress (Western Restaurant Service)
Contestants are requested to perform a Gueridon Fruit Service, which include peeling, cutting, plating and serving various types of fresh fruit in 12 minutes. Juries based on the skill, standard of hygiene, posture, method, courtesy and speed to assess the contestants. IFT is a public institution of higher education that offers tourism, hospitality, heritage and events management degree programmes, as well as professional training courses. The main objective of MORS is to upgrade human resources in the Macao tourism industry through the introduction of a certification scheme for a number of professions, to the general public, so as to benefit Macao in a more competitive future.
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From October 26 until 5p.m. today (1) the Cross-departmental Working Team sealed three premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally. Since the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation" took effect on August 13, Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has waged a total of 84 sanctions, among which one sanction proceeding has been completed and an operator who provided accommodation illegally was fined 200 000 patacas. Other cases are in different stages of sanction proceedings. Since the Cross-departmental Working Team started operations, to date, 1028 premise-checks were conducted, involving 720 premises, of which 84 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally were sealed, while 111 were normal residences. Ensuing investigations on the rest of the premises have been launched. Among the checked premises, some were vacant or unoccupied. Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) and the Public Security Police Force (PSP) will continue investigation on unanswered doors, which are suspected to be used to provide accommodation illegally. Meanwhile, during investigations to other cases, PSP has found 17 premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and informed the Cross-departmental Working Team to handle the cases. To date, the operations involved more than 857 occupants, among whom 374 were occupants of premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally and were investigated, including 16 overstayers and 14 illegal immigrants. 12 operators, 12 touts, 12 persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (managing staff) and six occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation were seized on site. MGTO has begun sanction proceedings on offenders according to the law on "Prohibition of Providing Illegal Accommodation". If the operator who provided accommodation illegally, who was fined 200 000 patacas, does not pay within the statutory period, the Financial Services Bureau will enforce the collection of fine. Meanwhile, the six occupants who failed to fulfill their duty of cooperation where fined 3 000 patacas each, among which three have paid the fine. For those who fail to pay the fine within the statutory period, MGTO has notified the Financial Services Bureau to enforce the collection of fine and informed PSP that the involved persons should pay the fine or their reentry into Macau will be denied. According to the law, operators and persons who manage the premises that provide accommodation illegally (management staff) incur a penalty up to 800 000 patacas, touts can be fined up to 100 000 patacas, persons who fail to cooperate can be fined up to 20 000 patacas and occupants who fail to cooperate are fined 3 000 patacas. Following the raid to premises suspected to provide accommodation illegally, MGTO began sanction proceedings on involved operators, touts and managing staff, and adopted provisional measures to cut the supply of water and electricity to the concerned premises and sealed the doors. Public can also call 2833 3000 to report suspected premises.
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