The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) will launch a library this year to support research into the history of Catholic missions in Asia and the Diocese of Macau, which celebrated its 450th anniversary in January, the institution announced.

The Bibliotheca Diocesis Macaonensis ‘is an ambitious, long-term project in the field of digital humanities,’ which aims to ‘support research on the history of the Diocese of Macau and Catholic missions in East and Southeast Asia,’ according to a statement released by USJ.

‘Adopting a multidisciplinary perspective, the project is supported by a robust historical research infrastructure that uses computerised data analysis, enhanced by artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning technologies,’ the statement said.

For this project, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at USJ is collaborating with the University of Minho, through the ALGORITMI Centre and LASI – Associated Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, following a memorandum of understanding signed in March 2025.

The Macau higher education institution, the statement added, has been ‘working systematically with collections from various archives and libraries around the world,’ namely the ‘exceptional collections’ of two collaborative partners: the diplomatic archive of the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the library of the Ajuda National Palace.

‘This valuable partnership has enabled significant progress in the implementation of this project,’ the statement emphasises.

USJ also says it hopes to attract other institutions and researchers to the project, as well as welcoming the participation of volunteers.

‘This milestone is a celebration of the region’s history and a commitment to the preservation and understanding of its cultural heritage,’ the university’s statement concludes.

The Diocese of Macau was created 450 years ago, on 23 January 1576.

SOURCE: Notícias ao Minuto