In order to further promote international academic exchanges and co-operation, and to enhance students' international outlook and cross-cultural communication skills, the faculty of Data Science of the City University of Macau (CityU) and the School of Information and Communication Technology of Griffith University have recently agreed on an important co-operation programme for student exchange. The programme was initiated by the the School of Information and Communication Technology of Griffith University and supported by the Australian government. The exchange programme will provide a unique learning and exchange platform for data science students from both institutions. 

On 4th November 2024, the School of Information and Communication Technology of Griffith University selected four outstanding international students to spend three months at the Faculty of Data Science of the City University of Macau. The four exchange students, who are second and third year undergraduate students of the Bachelor of Computer Science and Bachelor of Computer Science (Honours) at Griffith University, will be enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programme at the faculty of Data Science of the City University of Macau and will work together with teachers and students from different cultures to explore the cutting-edge issues in data science and to promote the innovation and development of this field. 

In order to warmly welcome these four exchange students, City University of Macau held a welcoming ceremony in T307 in the morning of 6th November. During the ceremony, President Liu Chun delivered a warm speech. He expressed his warm welcome and heartfelt thanks to the School of Information and Communication Technology of Griffith University for their kind visit and emphasised the significance of this exchange programme in enhancing the academic level of the two universities and broadening the international perspective of the students. Vice President Zhou Wanlei encouraged the students to cherish this rare exchange opportunity, learn from each other, and jointly promote the innovation and development of the field of data science. President Liu Jun, Vice President Zhou Wanlei, Professor Zhu Tianqing, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Data Science, Professor Chu Chiawei, programme coordinator of the Bachelor of Data Science Programme of the Faculty of Data Science, Assistant Professor Chen Huajie of the Faculty of Data Science, Assistant Professor Zhou Shuai of the Faculty of Data Science, and Director of the Vice-Chancellor's Office, Che Ka I, were present at the ceremony and witnessed this important moment. 

Under the careful arrangement of the Office of Global Affairs, the International Training and Testing Centre (ITTC) and the Faculty of Data Science, the exchange students will participate in a series of courses and academic activities. These activities aim to help them understand the teaching and research environment of the City University of Macau, as well as to deepen their professional knowledge and skills in the field of data science. Through these activities, the exchange students will have the opportunity to have in-depth academic exchanges with the faculty and students of the City University of Macau, and jointly explore the cutting-edge issues and applications of data science. 

Afterwards, the Rector's Office arranged a guided tour of the campus. Led by the campus ambassadors, the four exchange students visited the library, computer room, school history centre and other facilities, which gave them a deep impression of the academic atmosphere and humanistic care of City University of Macau. The Faculty of Data Science also arranged a mentor meeting, where the four Australian exchange students had an intimate exchange with their mentors. The mentors introduced the programme, research directions and learning methods in detail, and encouraged the exchange students to ask questions and explore. The exchange students also shared their personal academic interests and goals, and looked forward to achieving fruitful learning outcomes in City University of Macau. 

Finally, Prof Zhu Tianqing, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Data Science, presented the four exchange students with an exquisite welcome gift on behalf of the Faculty, and made detailed arrangements for their study and life in the next three months. Prof Zhu said that the faculty will provide all-round study and life support to the exchange students to ensure that they can have a pleasant and fulfilling time in City University of Macau.