A delegation of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR paid a visit to Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) on 17 December 2013 to learn about the College’s operations and the development of nursing higher education of Macao. The delegation was formed by Deputy Director of the Liaison Office Mr. Chen Sixi, Director of Department of Education and Culture of the Office Mr. Liu Xiaohang, Deputy Director of Department of Education and Culture Ms. Xu Ting, Head of Youth Section Mr. Hong Bo, Assistant Ms. Cen Lichun and Secretary Mr. Tang Ning. The group was accompanied by Chairman of Board of Directors of KWNC Mr. Fong Chi Keong, Vice-Chairmen Mr. Ung Hon Chao and Mr. Vong Kok Seng, President of KWNC Professor Van Iat Kio, Vice-President Professor Xing Zhihong, Executive Officer Ms. Lau Gar Bo, Deputy Executive Officers Professor Zhu Mingxia and Ms. Cheong Hoi Ieng, Associate Professor Zeng Wen and Assistant Professor Chuang Yao-Chen, etc.

Chairman Fong Chi Keong, on behalf of the Board of Directors of KWNC, extended his gratitude to the Liaison Office for its long-term support rendered to the College and Macao’s nursing education. Chairman Fong expressed that the College has been striving to enhance the nursing education over the past nine decades. It pays great attention to cultivate students’ characters and actively develops collaborations and exchanges with both local and non-local institutions.

President Van Iat Kio introduced the College’s operations and gave a brief review of the College’s evolutions alongside Macao’s development in the recent nice decades. The College entered the higher education era ten and more years ago, and since then it has been consistently establishing programmes of higher levels and elevating students’ professional attributes to meet society’s ever-growing demand for nursing professionals. President Van also indicated that apart from fostering students’ academic and clinical competence, the College attaches high importance to cultivating students’ spirit of serving the community. To that end, the College enthusiastically develops new modes of social services and encourages College teachers and students to get involved in promoting public health.

Director Chen Sixi showed recognition for the College’s long-year effort in preparing large number of nursing professionals for Macao. He noted that the nine decades of history does not come easily. Today, the College has turned into a very important nursing school in Macao, raised the social status of the nursing profession, and built up a brand of excellence by actively establishing exchanges with Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas countries. Director Chen also spoke highly of the College’s educational philosophy of “From Personhood to Benevolence” which he believed not only embodies the people-centred education, but also highlights the spirit of benevolence and devotion that are essential to the upbringing of outstanding nursing talents, and the philosophy should be kept as a life-long pursuit. At present, the Chinese Mainland is experiencing severe shortage of nursing professionals and many of the nursing staff do not receive formal trainings. In view of this, Director Chen encouraged the College to continue making strides in nursing education and help maintain a stable development for Macao’s nursing profession. Moreover, he expected the College to have a closer collaboration with the Chinese Mainland in terms of talent nurture and make an effort to build up its international status and reputation.

The delegation members visited the College’s nursing laboratories and gained a better understanding of the characteristics of nursing education and the training sites. They also watched the simulated dementia assessment and consultation conducted by the College’s Nursing & Health Education Research Centre via video conferencing.