Prof Lionel Ni, vice rector (academic affairs) of the University of Macau (UM) and a world-renowned computer scientist, recently received the Outstanding Contribution Award at the Tenth China Academic Conference on Sensor Network (Internet of Things) held in Chengdu, in recognition of his academic achievements and outstanding contributions to the field of computer sciences in China.

More than 300 scholars and researchers from China and abroad attended the conference. This year, a total of four awards were given, one in each of the four categories, namely Lifetime Achievement Award, Outstanding Contribution Award, Outstanding Service Award, and Youth Achievement Award. Prof Ni received the sole Outstanding Contribution Award. Prof Ni is a veteran researcher in computer science and engineering, with various research breakthroughs recognised by international peers.

Prof Ni is a chair professor in UM’s Department of Computer and Information Science. In scholarship, he follows the advice by Hu Shi, ‘Suggesting hypotheses boldly; testing them carefully.’ He has a wealth of managerial experience. During his professional life spanning 35 years, he has served at the Michigan State University in the United States and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and has supervised 64 doctoral students. His research findings have been widely cited. In 2011, he received the second prize of the National Natural Science Award from the State Council.

The Internet of Things Committee of the China Computer Federation is a professional, nonprofit organisation. It provides a platform for academic communication, collaboration, and exchange, and promotes the industrialisation of the Internet of Things. The first edition of the conference was held in 2007. So far more than 2,000 participants have participated in the conference.