On March 24, 2022, the annual academic event was held at the Military Club of Macau, which was organized by the Institute for Research of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (IROPC) at City University of Macau. 

Professor Kuai Peng Ip, Pro-Rector and Dean of the IROPC, Professor Francisco Leandro, Associate Dean of IROPC, Professor Eusebio Leou, Assistant Professor of IROPC, Professor José Alves, Dean of the Faculty of Business (FOB), and all the 2021 IROPC Ph.D. students participated in the event. Dr. Maria João Bonifácio, Representative of Portugal to the Permanent Secretariat of Forum for Economic and Trade Cooperation between China and the Portuguese Speaking countries (Forum Macau), Dr. Mário Vicente, former Representative of Cabo Verde to the Permanent Secretariat of Forum Macau were invited as guest speakers in the event. 

Initially, Professor Francisco Leandro delivered a speech, expressing his warm welcome and heartfelt gratitude to all the guests. He recognized the collaborative efforts of faculties and students of IROPC facing challenges during the pandemic in 2022 and their persistence in academics. 

During this event, the IROPC Ph.D. students enjoyed the fantastic opportunity to engage with Portuguese experts and scholars on topics ranging from economics, trade, history to culture. This face-to-face interaction helped create a conducive learning environment.

After the first course, Dr. Maria João Bonifácio, gave a detailed presentation on the country- Portugal which includes its business environment, historical and cultural heritage, municipal infrastructure, leading technology companies and trade policies. Her presentation was followed by a discussion among the students.

 Dr. Mário Vicente exchanging ideas with Ph.D. students on the challenges and trends in Cabo Verde

After the second course, Dr. Mário Vicente delivered a speech on the Cabo Verde archipelago, a small Portuguese-speaking island country in the Atlantic Ocean. The speaker spoke about the archipelago’s rich tourism resources, marine biodiversity along with its’ geographical advantage which gained affluent experience in developing the European market dominated by the United Kingdom. He urged the IROPC Ph.D. students to pay close attention to Cabo Verde and the Belt and Road Initiative and to build bridges between China and Cabo Verde.

Professors Kuai Peng Ip and Francisco Leandro with the guests’ speakers

In the event, Professor Kuai Peng Ip interacted with the guest speakers on the challenges and trends in researching Portuguese-speaking countries and regional governance. Professor Ip has expressed heartfelt positive wishes to all Ph.D. students. Furthermore, he wished students could fully enjoy the opportunity of a field visit to the Portuguese-speaking countries, as soon as the pandemic ends.

On behalf of the City University of Macau, Professor Kuai Peng Ip presented a gift for appreciating Dr. Maria João Bonifácio and Dr. Mário Vicente’s visit as guest speakers.