The press conference of KWNC’s 90th Anniversary of founding was held earlier on 1 February at the College’s Lecture Theatre, attended by Vice-Chairmen of Board of Directors of Kiang Wu Charitable Association (KWCA) and Vice-Chairmen of Board of Directors of the College Mr. Ung Hon Chao and Mr. Ho Va Tim, Vice-Chairman and Secretary-General of KWCA Ms. Ung Pui Kun, College President Professor Van Iat Kio, Assistant to College President Professor Xing Zhihong and Chairman of the Alumni Association Ms. Leong Pou Heng.

In the opening speech, Vice-Chairman Ung Hon Chao expresses that the nine-decade-old College has witnessed the changes of Macao as well as the course of development of Macao’s nursing profession. Upon its establishment in Year 1923, the College was known as one of the earliest schools in China offering nursing education. Despite having undergone various phases of difficulties, the College has never suspended the admission of students. Its graduates have spread all over Guangdong, Hong Kong, Macao and different places of the world. Because of the College’s spirit and devotion in serving the local society, it has become a brand name profoundly rooted in people’s hearts.

President Van Iat Kio indicates the significance of the College’s anniversary of founding by introducing the anniversary slogan “Carry on with loving care inherited from KWNC over the past 90 years; Together we build a better future to head for its centenary”. She expresses that the College has been sparing no efforts in enhancing Macao’s nursing services and promoting citizens’ health over the past century. It strives to keep pace with the nursing needs and trends of the region and the world, and to stay abreast with the times by consistently enhancing its teaching quality. In response to the demand for medical development, the College has expanded the admission quotas of nursing students in the recent years. In addition, to encourage the development of specialist nursing and increase the health care given to various groups such as the elderly and children, the graduated specialist nurses have gradually established the out-patient specialist nursing services. President Van also quotes the figures of a heath report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in Year 2012. The report presents the health data of 27 Asia-Pacific countries and regions, and shows that the number of nurses in Macao is only one-third of the average number of the members of OECD. Moreover, the ratio of doctors to nurses in Macao is relatively low compared to other Asia-Pacific countries and regions, showing the fact that the number of nurses in Macao is essentially inadequate. In view of the shortage of nurses, the College will continue to consolidate and improve the quality and quantity of nursing trainings, nurture outstanding personnel for the future development of Macao’s medical profession, and put efforts in correcting the health problems that Macao pays attention to.

Following the opening speech, President Van introduces the composition of the Preparatory Committee for College Anniversary Celebration and announces its official establishment. The Preparatory Committee is chaired by Mr. Fong Chi Keong, its Advisory Group and Chairman Group are composed of leaders of KWCA and members of the Board of Directors of the College, while the Committee members are formed by College staff, alumni and students.

Assistant to President Xing Zhihong shares that the College is planning to celebrate its anniversary and showcase its accomplishments and features by holding a number of celebratory activities and academic conferences, and issuing several publications. In June this year, the College will co-organize the “Seminar on Care Services” with Kiang Wu Hospital. In the Seminar, Nursing experts coming from across the strait will give lectures and explore the ways of integrating care into nursing education and nursing practices. In October, the College will host the “10th World Congress on Long Term Care in Chinese Communities” themed “socialization of home-based care – participation in elderly services by all citizens”. Representatives from Asian regions will exchange experiences in elderly services and discuss different modes of long term care services that are suitable for Chinese people living in different parts of the world. The Congress provides a valuable exchange opportunity for practitioners of elderly and medical services. In December, the College will organize the “16th Asia Pacific Regional Conference of Alzheimer’s Disease International”. The Conference is held with the aims to explore the latest development of the studies concerning Alzheimer’s disease, exchange ideas with experts and scholars from the Pearl River Delta regions and the world, and unite a greater strength to tackle the various challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, the Students’ Union and its affiliated associations will celebrate the College’s anniversary by organizing an activity entitled “Action of Love Giving”. Throughout Year 2013, students will participate in different social activities to show their loving care to the community and apply their professional nursing knowledge to helping people who are in need.

Nevertheless, the peak of the celebratory activities falls in November. The Cocktail Reception, Gala Dinner, School Open Day and Alumni Discussion Meeting will all be held in that month. Moreover, by that time, the anniversary commemorative album, corpus of care and other academic publications will have been published. Some alumni from overseas countries, Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland are planning to form groups to return to Macao to celebrate their alma mater’s 90th anniversary of founding. The College and the Alumni Association warmly encourage all alumni to take notice of the updates posted on newspapers and the College’s web page, and actively take part in the celebratory activities.