The Institute of Collaborative Innovation (ICI) at the University of Macau successfully held the “UM Open Day 2026” on 11 January. The event drew over 200 participants from various walks of life to the basement and first floor of the N21 Research Building on the University of Macau campus, offering an immersive dive into interdisciplinary innovation and interactive cognitive neuroscience. The atmosphere was lively and the response enthusiastic.
One of the highlights was the introduction to Master’s and PhD programmes, where current students provided consultations, sharing insights on course features, research focuses, and application tips to offer practical guidance for prospective students and parents. Many attendees expressed keen interest in the courses offered by the Institute, lingering at the consultation area for in-depth inquiries, fostering a vibrant exchange.
The cognitive neuroscience interactive experiment zone was a crowd favourite. Participants eagerly engaged in two classic demos: the “lie detection” experiment exploring links between physiological responses and mental states, and the “attention vs. distraction” challenge assessing focus and resilience to interference. Through gamified experiences, attendees interacted with professional brain science research equipment, including an eye tracker for monitoring eye movements and a Wireless Psychology System for tracking real-time changes in indicators such as electrocardiogram (ECG) and skin conductance, providing a hands-on feel for the depth and excitement of scientific research. Those who completed the tasks received exclusive Institute souvenirs, enhancing the fun.
The Institute of Collaborative Innovation noted that this Open Day not only highlighted the appeal of frontier research but also bridged academia and the community. The Institute plans to host more such events in the future, refining its programmes and experiences to offer greater opportunities for those interested in brain science, interdisciplinary innovation, and postgraduate education.
