The Reo pening Ceremony of the BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Programme and BSNS (Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Supplementary) Programme for the 2012/2013 A cademic Y ear of Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau was held on 24 August 2012 and 27 August 2012 respectively. Guests invited to the Reo pening Ceremony of the day-time programme included Vice-Chairman of Board of Directors of the College Ho Va Tim and Vong Kok Seng, Board Member Chan Kam Meng, KWH (Kiang Wu Hospital) Director Wang Ting Huai, Assistant to KWH Director Cheong Chan Veng, Assistant to KWH Director and Manager of the Nursing Department Fok Wai Lan, and Deputy Manager of the Nursing Department Ng Wai Ha.

At the ceremony, KWNC President Van Iat Kio delivered a speech to all teaching staff and students. President Van indicated that in response to the medical policy of the Macao SAR Government and the growing demand for nursing service by the community, the admission quotas for the BSN Programme continues to grow in this academic year. In addition, the College continues to offer the BSNS Programme. This academic year is the first time that the College simultaneously offers four different nursing programmes ranging from the Bachelor to the Master level, marking an improvement of the College's programme structure. Under this comprehensive programme structure, nurses are able to further their studies through a broader channel. This improvement also indicates that the development of Macao's nursing service is consistently moving forward. In this new academic year, a number of 70 students enroll for the BSN Programme, including both local and Chinese Mainland students who come from nearly 30 high schools; and a number of 40 new students enroll for the BSNS Programme. In the College, up to now there are more than 300 students who receive an education above the Bachelor level. In order to ensure that the teaching quality will be maintained even though with an increased number of students, the College has recruited some more teachers to enlarge the teaching team, and has invited a number of renowned experts and scholars from home and abroad to hold the posts of Guest Professors and Honorary Professors. At the same time, the College is actively preparing for the expansion of teaching venues, laboratories and teaching equipment, to provide students with a better learning environment, and thereby enhance students' motivations to learn and allow them to be fully concentrated on their nursing studies. President Van also conveyed encouragements to working nurses who are now purs u ing further studies. Serving as the pioneers, practitioners and promoters of the development of Macao's nursing profession, working nurses help and encourage each other, promote the development of Macao's nursing service together with the College's teachers and students, contribute to the community and strive for the benefits of the public.

At the ceremony, Dr. Cheong Chan Veng, Assistant to KWH Director, introduced the history and the current service situation of Kiang Wu Hospital. He emphasized that the Hospital has developed into a modernized and integrated teaching hospital. Since its establishment, the Hospital has been upholding the spirit of Dr. Sun Yat-sen and the spirit of being industrious and thrift in running a hospital, and is committed to providing high quality medical service to Macao residents. Nursing staff plays a vital role in hospitals and residents' expectations on nursing service are gradually increasing. In view of this, Dr. Cheong encouraged students to learn earnestly and be well-prepared, consider nursing as their lifelong profession and devote themselves to the community. At the ceremony, the College also presented scholarships and Best Nursing Preceptor Awards to the relevant students and nurses. Nurse Lao Mei, Nurse Chao Tak Hong of Kiang Wu Hospital, and Head Nurse Lao Ka Po of the Health Bureau were awarded the Best Nursing Preceptor Awards. The College also presented the appointment certificates to Clinical Instructors.

In order to help new students adapt the college life soon, like in the previous years, the College arranges“Orientation Camp”and“New Students Orientation Week”for the freshmen. These two activities are organized to enhance students' understanding about the nursing profession before they formally attend classes, allow students to get familiar with the College, as well as to help them engage in the roles of nursing students. Since this year is the 90 th anniversary of the College, a series of celebrating events will be arranged. Through organizing different events, the College would like to promote the development of the nursing profession, publicize and strengthen Macao residents' understanding about the nursing service, and promote all-people healthy nursing, in the hope of giving more encouragement and support to the development of the nursing profession.