News

After learning about the tragic news of the earthquake in Ya'an, Sichuan province, University of Macau (UM) students lost no time in organising a series of activities to help the earthquake victims. They prayed on the various social networking websites for people affected by the earthquake, and kicked off a one-week fundraising campaign today (22 April). In addition to the fundraising campaign, UM students will also organise a candlelight vigil, a charity ice cream sale, and a "blessing card" activity. They plan to put more donation boxes on campus to try to raise as much money as possible. UM also plans to provide full scholarships to three students from the earthquake-affected area to encourage them to continue with their studies and to stay positive in the face of the tragic disaster. A counselling team has been established to provide help to UM students who need assistance or emotional support. The donation boxes can be found at the East Asia College (EAC), the Pearl Jubilee College (PJC), the Honours College (HC), the ninth floor of the East Asia Hall, and the Student Centre. All donations received will be delivered to the Macau SAR Red Cross. The disaster relief activities have received great support from UM staff and students. The following UM units have been involved in the organisation of the activities—the China Mainland Students Association, the Postgraduate Association, the Students' Union, the Student Affairs Office, the Communications Office, the Academic Affairs Office, the Alumni and Development Office, the Global Affairs Office, HC, EAC, and PJC.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) organizes a series of events in Korea to promote diversified travel routes together with the trade partners and attract different types of Korean visitors to Macau. MGTO holds various functions in Seoul and Busan, Korea during April 22 and 25 including a press conference, the opening ceremony of "Vibrant Colours of Macau Photo Exhibition", a sharing session about photography, the award ceremony of "Macau Travel" Photography Contest, Macau Travel Mart and so forth. "Vibrant Colours of Macau Photo Exhibition" was launched at Insa Art Center in Seoul today (April 22) officially as a two-week event. MGTO Deputy Director Manuel Pires, Head of Overseas Marketing Department of Korea Tourism Organization, Kim Kee Hun, Macau's amateur photographer Antonio Leong and heads of several Korean travel agencies hosted the ceremony. The award ceremony of "Macau Travel" Photography Contest was also held at the occasion. Around 200 Korean contestants who once visited Macau submitted their photographic works for the contest. The contest's top ten works and Leong's photo works were showcased together at "Vibrant Colours of Macau Photo Exhibition" under the theme of four colours – "Red, Yellow, Green and Purple" to bring forth Macau's bright characteristics from different visual angles. Leong and the acclaimed Korean travel photographer, Park Sungbin hosted the Macau Photo Story Seminar, a session where they shared their experiences in travel photography and depicted enchanting stories about Macau through their photo works, winning great applause among the audience. During the function, MGTO and Korean travel agencies also jointly presented the 4-day Macau photography tour package which includes a travel route around the World Heritage "Historic Centre of Macau", Cotai District and Coloane, etc. They invited Park Sungbin to join the tour as well. Many attendees showed deep interest in the itinerary. During the press conference on the day, Deputy Director Pires remarked that several popular Korean movies and TV dramas have manifested the captivating scenes of Macau as a "World Centre of Tourism and Leisure" through different angles. The Korean market is therefore familiar with the beauty of Macau attractions. It is hoped that by launching a series of photography functions, more Korean visitors are prompted to enjoy a trip in Macau with different style. MGTO will continue to adopt specific promotion strategies which target the market nature of different countries or regions in order to attract various visitor groups and enrich the diverse combinations of visitor-source markets.
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The Macao Government is donating 100 million patacas to support relief works in Ya' an, Sichuan Province, and will send medical material and teams to the disaster area if needed. The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, said the Government and the people of Macao are deeply concerned for people in Ya'an, which was hit by a 7-magnitude earthquake on 20 April, killing more then 180. Mr Chui expressed his deepest condolences and sympathy to the victims and their families when he made calls to Secretary of the Sichuan Provincial CPC Committee, Mr Wang Dongming, and to the Governor of Sichuan Province, Mr Wei Hong. On behalf of the people of Macao, he sincerely wished the injured would recover soon and homes rebuilt as soon as possible, said the Chief Executive. The Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Cheong U, was appointed to contact Sichuan Government through Macao's supporting committee for the reconstruction works in Sichuan which was established in 2008, to get the latest information on the relief work in Ya'an. Mr Chui instructed the supporting committee to keep in closer contact with Sichuan to understand the actual needs of the victims and to make supporting plans accordingly.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the Composite CPI (121.11) for March 2013 increased by 4.95% year-on-year, attributable to higher charges for eating out and rising rentals for dwellings. In comparison with March 2012, notable increase was observed in the price index of Housing & Fuels (+8.46%) and Health (+6.81%), which was caused by higher rentals for dwellings and charges for out-patient services; however, price index of Education and Communication decreased by 3.13% and 2.88% respectively. The CPI-A (121.08) and CPI-B (121.61) increased by 5.45% and 4.90% respectively year-on-year. As the effect of the Lunar New Year faded out, the Composite CPI for March 2013 decreased by 0.29% month-to-month. Price index of Recreation & Culture and Clothing & Footwear fell by 6.23% and 2.90% respectively due to reduced charges for package tours and seasonal sale of Winter clothing. The CPI-A and the CPI-B decreased by 0.15% and 0.28% respectively month-to-month. For the 12 months ended March 2013, the average Composite CPI increased by 5.88% from the preceding period, of which the price index of Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (+24.13%) and Housing & Fuels (+8.14%) rose significantly, while index of Communication decreased by 3.01%. The average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 6.33% and 5.99% respectively. The average Composite CPI for the first quarter of 2013 increased by 5.38% year-on-year; the average CPI-A and CPI-B rose by 5.94% and 5.30% respectively year-on-year. The 2008/2009-based Composite CPI reflects the impact of price changes on the general population. The CPI-A relates to about 50% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP6,000 to MOP18,999. The CPI-B relates to about 30% of the households, which have an average monthly expenditure of MOP19,000 to MOP34,999.
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) is paying close attention to the strong earthquake that occurred this morning (20 April) in Lushan County, Ya'an City, Sichuan province and maintaining close contacts with the tourism industry for further developments. According to the information provided by the tourism industry, there is no Macao tour group in Sichuan. Only two Macao residents have joined a HK tour group to travel Sichuan's Jiuzaikou Valley (Valley of Nine Villages) - a nature reserve and national park located in northern Sichuan province of south-western China. They are all safe. So far GGCT has not received any calls for assistance or information. Macao residents may call the 24-hour Tourism Hotline at (853) 2833 3000 for assistance if necessary.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) joined hands with Macau Economic Services, Macau Trade and Investment Promotion Institute and the representatives of 26 enterprises from local travel industry to promote Macau business and incentive tourism in "Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings China 2013" (IT&CM China 2013) in Shanghai during April 17 – 19. The expo was held in Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center in Pudong, Shanghai this year. MGTO ran a booth themed around Macau and promoted the Incentive Travel Stimulation Program among the trade and incentive-travel organizers in the event. The booth also showcased Macau's latest business tourism trend and products to the industry buyers. The MGTO representatives attended the inaugural ceremony and welcome dinner of the expo on April 17 as well as the "TTG China Travel Awards 2013 Ceremony" on April 19, an evening occasion when MGTO was awarded the Best Tourism Organization in China. IT&CM China enjoys wide recognition as China's prominent business and exchange platform for professional Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE). It also serves as one of the leading business travel fairs in the Asia-Pacific region and an effective platform in the region to promote business and incentive travel. In addition to business and networking activities, the event program this year mainly comprised forums, seminars and talks hosted by experienced professionals. IT&CM China 2013 attracted over 3,000 MICE professionals from different sectors including MICE companies, tourism enterprises and related associations to explore business, education and exchange opportunities in the 3-day event. Over 400 buyers were invited to the expo which held 60 relevant meetings and more than 10,000 business appointments.
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To further strengthen the knowledge of the operators on safety management concepts, in order that the operators can better implement their Safety Management Systems (SMS), hence creating the environment for adopting the same safety culture, the Civil Aviation Authority (AACM) organized an International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Safety Management Systems (SMS) course on 15 to 19 April 2013 to train the industry on the safety concepts and the elements of the Systems, with the objective that the industry can reinforce their understanding of the importance of safety management responsibilities, ultimately building a safe and reliable aviation hub for Macao's aviation. The SMS course is a five-day training programme with ten modules. Apart from lectures on theories on safety concepts, safety policy and objectives, safety risk management, safety assurance, safety promotion, as well as the relationship between the State Safety Programme (SSP) implemented by the regulatory body and the SMS implemented by the operators, the course was also incorporated with practical exercises to allow attendees to put theories into practice through working on a number of simulated and real cases. The attendees were divided into small groups and based on the given scenarios, they discussed about hazard identification, risk index setting, action plan formulation and SMS implementation plan formulation. An examination, in which attendees were required to sit for, followed after all theory and practical exercise sessions were done. Those who have successfully completed the course were awarded with the certificate. The course was lectured by three instructors, namely 1. Chief Technical Advisor, Cooperative Development of Operational Safety & Continuing Airworthiness Programme – South East Asia, ICAO, Mr. Kim Trethewey, 2. Senior Safety Officer, Flight Standards & Licensing, AACM, Mr. Joe Fong, and 3. Deputy Manager of Flight Safety of Hong Kong Government Flying Service (HKGFS), Captain Erik Young. Mr. Kim Trethewey has enriching experience in lecturing SMS. He has been invited by Macao in the past to lecture similar topics and is familiar with the safety management environment in Macao. He is able to convey to the Macao attendees the experiences in other countries as reference for application in Macao. Mr. Joe Fong has worked in AACM for over 10 years and is experienced in safety oversight work. He is also the coordinator for the task force on SMS and SSP. He completed the "ICAO SMS Train-the-Trainer Course" in the Singapore Aviation Academy in 2012. This time, his instructor role in the SMS training course for this week is his on-the-job training for acquiring the instructor qualification of ICAO SMS course. Captain Erik Young has 18 years of flying experience. His main duties in HKGFS include search and rescue and fire fighting. He is also a helicopter training captain in his organization. Like Joe, he has also completed the "ICAO SMS Train-the- Trainer Course". The SMS course was convened in AACM office with participation of more than 30 people, most of whom were management and technical staff responsible for flight safety, quality control, security and aircraft maintenance working in AACM, Air Macau Co. Ltd., East Asia Airlines Ltd., JetAsia Ltd., Fortuna Jet Aviation (their Air Operator Certificate application is undergoing AACM's assessment), Macau Jet International Co. Ltd, Administration of Airports Ltd., and Menzies Macau Airport Services Ltd. In his closing remarks, the President of AACM, Mr. Simon Chan said that it was important to work together with the industry to strengthen the management of safety and create a good safety culture. In achieving this goal, he said that AACM being the regulatory body in aviation safety matters has been organizing regular training courses for the industry operators to enhance their technical knowledge and help them better understand Macao's aviation regulations as well as ICAO standards and recommended practices. Mr. Chan concluded that AACM will continue to organize training courses with different technical aspects for the industry. Up till this moment, AACM has trained more than 180 industry personnel by the various SMS courses they organized here in Macao. The SMS is a systematic approach to managing safety and is implemented by the airlines, maintenance organizations, air traffic service providers and airport operators. Its elements include organization structure, accountabilities, safety hazard identification, safety risk classification, corrective action plan implementation, safety promotion and so on. In accordance with the Convention on International Civil Aviation, all aviation operators are required to implement SMS no later than 2009. In what regards the Macao aviation operators, all of them have complied with this requirement and implemented their SMS on time.
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The Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner for the Asia-Pacific Academy of Economics and Management (APAEM), University of Macau (UM), was held on 17 April, signalling the official start of operation of APAEM. With a strong teaching and advisory team comprised of well-known scholars and business leaders, including three Nobel Prize laureates, APAEM is committed to nurturing more internationally competitive and socially responsible future leaders for Macao and the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Tse Chi Wai, chair of the University Council of UM; Prof. Wei Zhao, rector of UM; Prof. Jacky So, dean of the Faculty of Business Administration and director of APAEM; and Prof. William H. Mobley, co-director of APAEM, jointly officiated at the plaque-unveiling ceremony. Rector Wei Zhao said in his speech that he hopes APAEM can become a leading think tank and talent incubator in the region, adding that he believes with the trust and support of the community, UM has confidence to succeed in this role. At the ceremony Prof. Jacky So introduced the mission and vision of APAEM. He noted that APAEM aspires to become a world-class research, executive development and advisory hub to develop regional policies and nurture more internationally competitive and socially responsible future leaders for the Asia-Pacific region, through the organisation of the executive education programme, international conferences and distinguished forums, case studies, research, and publication of papers. APAEM boasts a strong teaching and advisory team comprised of well-known scholars and business leaders. It has invited distinguished academic and business figures to give lectures, including Prof. Robert Kegan from Harvard University, who is considered a master on leadership, and Anthony Bolton, president-investments at Fidelity Worldwide Investment. APAEM has three Nobel Prize laureates—Prof. Robert A. Mundell, Prof. James A. Mirrlees, and Prof. Lawrence R. Klein—serving on its Honorary Advisory Board. APAEM has supported Cornell University in the United States, and the Institute for the Study of Commercial Gambling, which is under the Faculty of Business Administration of UM, in their co-organisation of a large academic conference. Currently it's collaborating with the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Macau and the Ocean Park Hong Kong on case studies. In the future, APAEM plans to collaborate with more well-known universities in Europe and the United States to explore more teaching, research and publication opportunities.
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The 24th Macao Arts Festival (MAF) returns to the city's stages next month, with an array of extraordinary performances scheduled for May 3 through June 3. The Festival's programme encompasses theatrical works, Chinese traditional opera, music, visual arts exhibitions and dance performances. As always, local productions feature prominently in the Festival, whose goals include promoting development within the territory's own arts scene, and Macao's talent and creativity in the dance genre are well represented this year. My Chair 20:13, by Contemporary Stage, presents the story of a modern young woman fighting her way to "victory" and calls for introspection into the values of contemporary society. Presented to the public at the Old Court Building on May 4 and 5 (Saturday and Sunday), there are two shows daily, at 3pm and 8pm. That same weekend the Sir Robert Ho Tung Library hosts Here She Dances (May 4-5, 8pm), a mixed media work based on the poetry of Jenny Ng, uniting multimedia arts with literary excerpts and music. Produced by the local, non-profit cultural association Comuna de Pedra, Here She Dances is an excellent example of the capabilities and creativity of local talent. The following Wednesday brings the opportunity to witness the fruits of an innovative programme of cultural and artistic exchange among the Pearl River Delta regions. Love Letters is a modern ballet, depicting a precarious relationship that spans several decades, based on the correspondence contained in five letters. Woven through with romantic classical music, this deeply inspiring dance work takes to the stage at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium on May 8, at 8pm. Local groups stand side by side on the Festival programme with noteworthy international dance companies. Xavier Le Roy (France) inhabits the Old Court Building from May 16 through 19 (Thursday to Sunday), presenting his work Self Unfinished each evening at 8pm. Known for his scientific approach to dance, Xavier Le Roy offers audiences a solo choreography filled with surprising movements that distort his form as far as possible from a recognisable human figure. Inspired by famous works of Israeli female poets, Reflections tells the story of a turbulent love triangle with a combination of movement, lighting effects, music, video and puppetry. Produced by Fresco Dance Company (Israel), Reflections ascends the Stage of the Macao Cultural Centre Small Auditorium on May 31 and June 1 (Friday and Saturday) at 8pm. Wayne McGregor | Random Dance brings the Festival to a close with FAR, an extraordinary, anatomy-defying choreographic work performed by ten incredible dancers and accompanied by a superb score and jaw-dropping visuals. FAR can be seen on June 1 and 2 (Saturday and Sunday), at 8pm, at the Macao Cultural Centre Grand Auditorium. Tickets for the 24th Macao Arts Festival are still available, in limited numbers, at all Kong Seng Ticketing Network outlets. Telephone bookings may be made on 2855 5555. For more information please check the MAF website at: www.icm.gov.mo/fam.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on dairy products on 16th April for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12th June. Result of the mentioned survey has been uploaded to the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and is available in the Council's 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone and Android apps. For inquiry, please call the Council's hotline: 8988 9315.
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