USJ participates in MoU signing ceremony for the establishment of the China-Portugal Aviation Simulation Technology Research Institute at Madeira University
USJ participates in MoU signing ceremony for the establishment of the China-Portugal Aviation Simulation Technology Research Institute at Madeira University
04
Aug
04/08/2026
The institute will focus on developing smart technologies for the aviation industry.
The University of Saint Joseph (USJ), Macao, has joined an international consortium to establish the Research Institute for China-Portugal Aviation Simulation Technology, dedicated to intelligent technologies applied to aviation.
The initiative brings together key partners from Europe and Asia, including the University of Madeira (Portugal), the Regional Government of Madeira (Portugal), the Guangdong University of Technology (GDUT, China), the University of Saint Joseph (Macao) and China Southern Airlines, one of Asia’s leading airlines.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 30 July 2026 at the University of Madeira’s campus. Prof. Carlos Sena Caires, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, represented USJ on behalf of the Rector at the ceremony.
The new research institute will drive progress in interdisciplinary research, technological innovation, and advanced education within the field of intelligent aviation. Its work will cover artificial intelligence, flight simulation, human-machine interaction, augmented and virtual reality, and digital transformation.
Under the agreement, the partners will collaborate on joint research projects, build international teams, seek competitive funding, offer training opportunities for students and researchers, and promote academic exchanges across institutions.
Prof. Carlos Sena Caires highlighted the importance of the partnership, stating: “This collaboration reflects USJ’s commitment to internationalisation and to building strong connections between Europe, China, and the Portuguese-speaking world. It offers a unique platform to tackle future challenges in intelligent aviation while advancing research, education, and cross-cultural cooperation.”
During the ceremony, the Regional Secretary for Education, Science and Technology of Madeira, Dr. Elsa Fernandes, representing the President of the Regional Government, emphasised that the agreement represents far more than the signing of a protocol. She described it as a commitment to knowledge, innovation, international cooperation and intercultural dialogue, noting that global challenges require collaborative international solutions and that universities play a fundamental role in producing knowledge, advancing scientific development and fostering dialogue across cultures.
The Regional Government of Madeira also reaffirmed its strategic commitment to the internationalisation of higher education, science, innovation and technology, recognising the Autonomous Region of Madeira as an increasingly attractive destination for talent, investment and international collaboration.
For USJ, this partnership marks another step forward in its international engagement strategy and its expanding network across Europe and Asia.
By uniting the strengths of academia, government, and industry, the consortium aims to create impactful technological solutions while strengthening educational, scientific, and economic ties between Europe, China, and Portuguese-speaking nations.
