From July 3 to 5, 2026, master's and doctoral student representatives from the Faculty of Innovation and Design of City University of Macau, led by faculty members Wang Yu-ya, An Shun, and Li Kerun, participated in the "2026 IDSFC International Design Symposium" hosted by the College of Design at National Yunlin University of Science and Technology. Under the theme "Design Beyond Borders", the conference focused on how design disciplines can transcend geographical, cultural, knowledge, and technological boundaries in response to complex contemporary issues amid rapid global change. The opening ceremony was held on the morning of July 3, bringing together scholars, faculty, and students from various universities and design research fields to exchange ideas on cross-disciplinary integration, cultural connectivity, and future directions in design research.

As an institution characterized by multicultural backgrounds and an international educational approach, the Faculty of Innovation and Design has consistently emphasized the development of students' academic capabilities, cross-cultural communication skills, and international engagement. Participation in the 2026 IDSFC International Design Symposium represented a significant practice for graduate students to proactively integrate into the international academic community and present their interim research outcomes. Students delivered paper presentations across diverse areas including design research, cultural understanding, spatial experience, social innovation, digital technologies, and interdisciplinary methodologies, addressing the core theme of "Design Beyond Borders" from various perspectives. Their work demonstrated the sustained reflections of our young scholars on the boundaries of design disciplines, methodological innovations, and socio-cultural values.

At the conference, two of our students were honored with the Best Paper Award, in recognition of their solid research foundations, clear paper logic, and strong English presentation skills. This achievement not only affirms the students' individual research and academic communication abilities but also reflects the positive outcomes of the Faculty of Innovation and Design in graduate education, design research training, and international academic exchange. From topic formulation, literature review, and research methodology design to English presentation preparation and live Q&A sessions, the participating students continuously refined their work under the guidance of their supervisors and within the faculty's supportive academic environment, ultimately showcasing the scholarly excellence of City University of Macau's design students on the international stage.

Acceptance Speeches:

He Yuqian (Ph.D. student in Design):

Participating in the 2026 IDSFC has been an invaluable academic experience. The conference theme, "Design Beyond Borders", prompted me to rethink how design can address real-world issues in contemporary society through cross-disciplinary approaches. Receiving the Best Paper Award is both an encouragement and a motivation for me. I am deeply grateful to Dr. Li Kerun for his patient guidance on my paper topic and research methodology. Through the on‑site exchanges, I not only enhanced my academic presentation skills but also gained new insights from the diverse perspectives of other researchers. In the future, I will continue to pursue my passion for design research and deepen my work within an international horizon.

Li Jiani (Master's student in Design):

I am truly honored to receive the Best Paper Award at the 2026 IDSFC International Symposium. This award has significantly boosted my confidence in research and provided me with rich experience. I owe special thanks to Dr. Shi Hongchun for her rigorous guidance and invaluable suggestions, which drove me to continually refine and improve my work. Her unwavering support and encouragement were pivotal to this achievement. I look forward to accumulating more experience, honing my professional skills, and constantly challenging myself on my future academic journey.

This participation and the award have broadened the international academic horizons of students from the Faculty of Innovation and Design at City University of Macau and facilitated valuable exchanges with other universities and researchers. Looking ahead, the Faculty will continue to support master's and doctoral students in actively engaging in high‑level international academic conferences, enhancing their research capabilities, innovative thinking, and global competitiveness through interdisciplinary, cross‑cultural, and cross‑sectoral academic dialogue. We remain committed to advancing design research and talent cultivation in diverse cultural contexts.