A signing ceremony of the “Partnership Agreement” between Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) and General Union of Neighbourhood Associations of Macau (UGAMM) was held at KWNC on 6 May 2011 morning. Vice-President of Board of Directors of Kiang Wu Charitable Association (KWCA) Lau Veng Seng and President of UGAMM Io Hong Meng were witnesses of signature on behalf of both parties, testified commonly by Director of the Tertiary Education Services Office Sou Chio Fai, Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors of KWNC Ho Va Tim and Vong Kok Seng, Vice-President of Board of Directors and General Secretary of KWCA Ung Pui Kun, Vice-President and Secretary-General of UGAMM Ng Sio Lai, and President of KWNC Van Iat Kio, etc.

In her address to the ceremony, President Van Iat Kio presented the purpose of the signing of the “Partnership Agreement”. This is a measure to integrate the superiorities and specialties of both institutions for launching the Benevolence Lights up my Later Life: A Tailored Meta-programme to Face with Ageing Population in Macau. The programme, sponsored by the Social Welfare Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, and academically supported by Macau Alzheimer’s Disease Association, Hong Kong Alzheimer’s Disease Association and the Nethersole School of Nursing of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, will commence from “Dementia Prevention and Care” as a preliminary scheme to fulfill within one and a half years. The scheme expects to train health care professionals and front-line caregivers as well as the general public or informal family caregivers for enhancement and renovation of the quality of elderly services while fostering the positive attitude towards population ageing, so that the quality of residents’ life can be improved. KWNC will also be benefited through the scheme in respect of its academic and research development.

President Io Hong Meng indicated that nowadays the strength of a single institution is inadequate to meet the pressing demands of clients. Therefore, the promotion of community collaboration is necessary. Not only the reciprocal cooperation among the government, civil organizations or enterprises needs to develop, but the collaboration among neighbours, volunteers and families should also be encouraged. It is hoped that through this collaborative programme with KWNC, the community caring spirit and good tradition of Macao can be carried forward to better serve the people. He also urged the government to pay more attention to the local health care and welfare affairs while working out long-term plan and cultivating more health care and social service talents to satisfy the crucial needs of society.

The first public lecture of “Benevolence Lights up my Later Life” titled “the Forgotten Time” was held at the Ilha Verde Community Centre of UGAMM on 7 May 2011, given by Dr. Zeng Wen, Associate Professor of KWNC and Chairman of Board of Directors of MADA. For details, please refer to the website:http://www.kwnc.edu.mo/web/cmain.htm.

President Van Iat Kio delivers a speech

President of UGAMM Io Hong Meng delivers a speech

Signing Ceremony of “Partnership Agreement” between KWNC and UGAMM