News

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (full-time) programme, offered by the University of Macau’s (UM) Faculty of Science and Technology (FST), has received full accreditation from the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). Earlier this year, three other bachelor’s degree programmes in engineering offered by the FST, namely Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Bachelor of Science in Electromechanical Engineering, also received full accreditation from the HKIE UM received accreditation from the HKIE for its Bachelor of Science in Computer Science programme for the first time in 2013, and full accreditation in 2016. Students starting this programme between the 2011/2012 academic year and the 2018/2019 academic year will be eligible to apply for HKIE membership upon graduation to receive professional qualifications recognised worldwide. To better understand the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (full-time) programme, the HKIE accreditation team and representatives of the Macau Institution of Engineers in 2015 met with UM’s rector, vice rectors, the dean and all the faculty members of the FST, FST advisory board members, departmental advisors, and representatives of alumni and students. After the meeting, the accreditation team noted that UM has outstanding faculty, a solid academic foundation, and extensive resources to provide quality education to students from the programme. The HKIE is the only statutory qualifying body for engineers in Hong Kong. It is responsible for setting and maintaining professional and technical standards and undertakes professional accreditation to evaluate the quality of computer science degree programmes. The HKIE is a signatory of the Seoul Accord, which recognises substantial equivalence in the accreditation of academic qualifications in computing and information and communication technology (ICT)-related education. Computer science programmes accredited by the HKIE are recognised by all the signatories to the Seoul Accord.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that the total population was 652,500 as at end-June 2016, an increase of 3,400 quarter-to-quarter; female population (332,600) accounted for 51.0% of the total. There were 1,639 live births delivered in the second quarter of 2016, a decrease of 25 or 1.5% quarter-to-quarter. Male babies totalled 850 and the sex ratio at birth stood at 107.7, corresponding to 107.7 male babies per 100 female babies. In the first half year of 2016, a total of 3,303 live births were recorded, down by 71 year-on-year. Meanwhile, mortality totalled 562, a decrease of 95 quarter-to-quarter; the top three underlying causes of death were Neoplasms (171), Diseases of the Circulatory System (153) and Diseases of the Respiratory System (113). In the first half year of 2016, mortality went up by 197 year-on-year to 1,219. In the second quarter of 2016, Chinese immigrants totalled 1,271, down by 1,424 quarter-to-quarter. Individuals granted right of abode totalled 339, same as that in the first quarter of 2016. Non-resident workers totalled 182,459 at the end of the second quarter, an increase of 1,023 over the previous quarter. A total of 1,008 cases of marriage registration were recorded in the second quarter, up by 33 quarter-to-quarter. In the first half year of 2016, there were 1,983 cases of marriage registration, up by 92 year-on-year.
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From the tourist bus accident which left 32 people injured (12 male and 20 female), 22 have already been treated and discharged from the hospital, while there are still 10 being hospitalized in the Kiang Wu Hospital, 3 of which are in serious condition. Of the three seriously injured (all female) that are now in the intensive care unit, one is in coma and being accompanied by family members, while the other two are conscious and in stable condition. The remaining seven (3 male 4 female) are in the general ward, having their recovery monitored while also in stable condition and being treated for common injuries. No further tourists were discharged from the hospital today. The Health Bureau will continue to liaise with the Kiang Wu Hospital and follow up closely. After coordination between the Macao travel agency and Kiang Wu hospital, there will be no immediate need to settle the medical expenses, the travel agency will later contact the insurance company to process the claims. In addition, the mainland travel agency has stated that in on where it concerns personal insurance, the tourists should purchase individually appropriate travel insurance according to their personal needs. The 22 tourists that were discharged from the Hospital this morning were taken by the local tour operator in Macao to the Public Prosecutions Office in order to handle the necessary legal formalities and were in the afternoon taken to the Traffic Department of the Public Security Police Force for further follow up. According to the information collected, the tourists have already presented their formal complaints. The local Macao tour operator is currently negotiating the compensation terms with the tourists based on the level of injuries sustained and will advance the compensation payments. The local Macao tour operator is at the moment also in negotiations with the insurance company regarding insurance issues. The Mainland China travel agency in Shenzhen assisted last night in contacting the families of the injured and the family members of one of the tourists who is in serious condition had already arrived in Macao while the families of the other 2 seriously injured tourists and 1 of the tourists in the general ward have already applied for the necessary visit permits, the arrival of their families is expected later today. The local Macao tour operator has pledged to cover the transportation and accommodation expenses incurred by the injured tourists and their families in Macao. The 12 tourists that were not injured in the accident already left Macao yesterday. The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) will continue to closely follow up the case and coordinate with the Health Bureau, the Macao Government Tourism Office, Public Security Police Force, the tourism industry as well as other relevant entities in order to provide the necessary assistance to the families.
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For the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June, Consumer Council collects prices of fresh pork and vegetables from wet markets and supermarkets for consumers’ reference. The mentioned data collected during 3 August to 9 August are used for comparing the selling prices of the same products from Zhuhai and Hong Kong. The relevant data has been uploaded to the Council’s website for consumers’ reference. The comparison report is now available on the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), iPhone & Android ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ app, and the Council’s WeChat Account page. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The tickets for the 30th Macao International Music Festival (MIMF), organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, went on sale on 7 August. A large number of music fans waited at different ticket offices to purchase tickets. Sales reached a satisfactory result as 5,500 tickets were sold up to 5pm on the first day of ticket sales. The 30th MIMF will be held from 1 to 30 October, featuring 20 shows and a total of 27 performances. At 8:30am on the first day of ticket sales, the organiser sent staff to each ticket office to maintain order and to distribute, queuing vouchers to waiting purchasers from 9am onwards, thereby making ticket purchase more convenient for the public. Sales on the first day were in good order, and more than 300 queuing vouchers were issued at various ticket offices. In order to celebrate the Festival’s Pearl Jubilee with the public, the organizer promoted “‘Music’ with the Public Lucky Draw”, supported by the Macau Coca-Cola Beverage Co., Ltd. IC staff encouraged the public to participate, giving them the opportunity to enter the lucky draw by posting a “Like” on the MIMF’s page on Facebook or by taking photos with portable frames specially designed for this edition of the Festival. All participants were offered prizes such as Cola-Cola glasses, beverages and MIMF’s badges, thereby creating a more festive atmosphere. With an enthusiastic response on the first day of ticket sales, tickets for the Berlin Philharmonic String Quintet, Quintessence Night, Magic Bow and The Story of Pipa, among others, are already sold out. All tickets for the free admission concert Gloria were completely distributed, while sales for local shows and for the performances A Dream of Fragrancy and Bravo Macao! were also successful. In addition, the performances Turandot, Ray Chen – Violin Recital, From Russia, With Classics and the free performance Chaplin Once More! were highly sought after. Those interested are advised to purchase tickets as soon as possible. From now until 14 August, an early bird discount of 30% is available for ticket purchases for 4 or more different performances, for 10 or more tickets for the same performance, and for valid full-time Student Card or Teacher Card holders; Macao Senior Citizen Card or Disability Assessment Registration Card holders can enjoy 50% discount on ticket purchases (one discounted ticket per performance per card holder only). Holders of designated bank card and credit card can enjoy a 20% discount. For more details on the programme, please access the Festival’s website at www.icm.gov.mo/fimm. Ticketing hotline: 2855 5555. Ticketing website: www.macauticket.com.
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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) participates in the event known as “Beautiful China – Grasslands Silk Road Tour” and the Event for Tourism Exchange and Cooperation between Inner Mongolia, Hong Kong and Macao. During the event, MGTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation with the Tourism Bureau of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region today (9 August) to foster mutual exchange and cooperation in the tourism field. Jointly organized by the Department of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), Tourism Bureau of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Tourism Commission of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and MGTO, the “Beautiful China – Grasslands Silk Road Tour” and the Event for Tourism Exchange and Cooperation between Inner Mongolia, Hong Kong and Macao is held in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region from 8 to 12 August. The co-organizers include Asia Tourism Exchange Center, Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) and Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong. MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse and Head of Communication and External Relations Department, Kathy Iong, participate in the event together with delegates of travel trade from Macao including President of Association of Macao Tourist Agents, Guan Dehui, and representatives of China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd. The “Beautiful China – Grasslands Silk Road Tour” and the Event for Tourism Exchange and Cooperation between Inner Mongolia, Hong Kong and Macao features the three destinations’ presentation, announcement ceremony of the incentive travel policy and promotion scheme for Hong Kong and Macao visitors to Inner Mongolia, signing ceremonies, travel mart, familiarization visits along the Grasslands Silk Road, summary discussions and so forth. The Hong Kong and Macao delegations were kindly received by senior officials including CNTA Vice Chairman, Li Shihong, and Vice Chairman of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Government, Yun Guangzhong. On 9 August, Inner Mongolia, Hong Kong and Macao held a joint destination presentation followed by an array of signing ceremonies in Hohhot, during which Director of Tourism Bureau of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Wei Guonan, and MGTO Deputy Director Cecilia Tse signed the Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation to enhance mutual cooperation and communication as well as to foster tourism developments of both destinations. CNTA Vice Chairman Li Shihong, and Vice Chairman of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional Government, Yun Guangzhong, Head of Department of Affairs on Tourism of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan of CNTA, Liu Kezhi, and Director of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR, Sun Xiangyi, witnessed the ceremony together with other guests. On the day, MGTO elaborated Macao’s tourism development and presented the latest tourism facilities and products while publicizing Macao’s positioning as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. Tourism Bureau of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and HKTB both presented the tourism situation and resources of their destinations as well. During her speech, Deputy Director Cecilia Tse remarked that with Macao being a major hub along the Maritime Silk Road, the SAR Government will actively support the “Belt and Road Initiative”. By joining hands with the Mainland authorities, participating in and promoting the work involved, the SAR Government will strive to raise the international influence of the “Silk Road” cultural tourism brands including “Maritime Silk Road” and “Grasslands Silk Road” and jointly promote regional tourism development. Through participation in the event, MGTO seeks to deepen tourism cooperation between Macao and Inner Mongolia, while creating opportunities for members of the travel industry from both destinations to connect and share their latest industry news and tourism products for stronger connections and collaboration. The delegation of MGTO and Macao’s travel trade will pay familiarization visits to a range of major tourism resources and facilities in various places including Hohhot, Xilamuren Grasslands, Baotou as well as Ordos around Inner Mongolia as part of the Grasslands Silk Road from 9 to 12 August.
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The Macao Art Museum (MAM) under the Cultural Affairs Bureau, has been organizing the “Macao Arts Window” since 2012, which aims to encourage creativity and promote the development of contemporary art in Macao. The theme of this edition of the “Macao Arts Window” is the exhibition “Geometry of the universe: 3D and multimedia works by Akin Vong”, the vernissage will be held on Thursday, 11 August, at 6:30pm, on the third floor of the MAM. The “Macao Arts Window” aims to provide an open and diverse exhibition space and exchange platform and to encourage local artists to explore and express the concepts and forms of contemporary art. Akin Vong was born in Macao. As an illustrator, Akin works in traditional media, digital images and animation, as well as lighting design, and design of themed exhibitions for malls. Akin is one of the winners of First Prize in the Painting and Sculpture categories of the Phillippe Charriol Foundation Annual Art Competition and has won several scholarships, allowing him to carry out study visits to Europe and the United States. In 2011 he was one of the winners of the Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Designers Awards. The artist combines the basic geometric elements with time, rhythm, patterns, sizes, angles and hues, and creating unlimited images in these works. In the world of geometry he sees an infinite universe, which evolved from a point to a line, a plane and a cube. He thinks that the universe is infinite! Just in a single drop of seawater microscopic creatures abound. A man can be very small or very big, depending on the perspective. Everyone has his/her own value, once they found their balance point! The exhibition “Geometry of the universe: 3D and multimedia works by Akin Vong” is held until 25 September 2016 at the Macao Museum of Art, located in NAPE, Avenida Xian Xing Hai, and is open daily from 10am to 7pm (no admission after 6:30pm; closed on Mondays). Admission fee is MOP5 and admission is free on Sundays and public holidays.
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Consumer Council conducted a survey on prices of driving lessons of 125cc motorbike and light vehicle. Responses show that all driving schools charge both driving lessons at the same price but in different ways, and consumers may not be able to get full refund if they choose to terminate their paid courses, consumers are suggested to inquire about charges and relevant terms of driving schools before applying for these lessons. Details of the survey can be found in issue no. 275 of Consumer Report. Same lesson fees but different charges for driving test application Among the 22 answered surveys, all driving schools charge the same price for lessons of both 125cc motorbike and light vehicle, fees include theory and practical lesson, as well as car rental fees during driving examination. However, practical skills lessons are paid either in lump sum or by installments, and there are differences in the service charge of driving test application. Withdrawn lesson may not get full refund In case a consumer fail to pass the body check or wish to terminate his lessons in midcourse, some driving schools respond that they would not impose any service charge on the consumer, some say they would charge about $100 to $600, and some say no refund or any unused lesson fees will be given to consumers who terminate lessons in midcourse. Different driving course also set out different regulations for consumers who wish to terminate driving lessons and ask for day off. Make comparison and inquire more Consumers are advised to check the details of the mentioned survey and make inquiry at driving schools before choosing any lesson that suit themselves. Meanwhile, any agreement should be listed on the invoice or other transactional documents to safeguard personal consumer rights. Driving schools suggested to include detailed regulations for lesson services Driving schools are suggested by the Council to set up clear and detailed regulations for its driving lessons, and let consumers know before consumption to safeguard the rights and responsibility of both parties. The mentioned survey on driving lesson fees is now available in issue no. 275 Consumer Report. Consumer Report is now available free of charge at the Council (Av. Horta e Costa, N.º 24-A, Edf. Cheung Heng, R/C), and the service counter of the Council at Macao SAR Government Service Centre (Rua Nova da Areia Preta, Nº52), Public Information Centre at Vicky Plaza, libraries and bookstores. Consumers may also access the magazine online on the Council’s official website (http://www.consumer.gov.mo) and WeChat official account. For enquiry, please call 8988-9315.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today (Monday) directed all relevant Government departments to provide all necessary medical and practical assistance to the victims of this afternoon’s accident involving a tourist bus. Mr Chui gave the instruction this evening during a meeting with Government officials and representatives of the Kiang Wu Hospital. The Chief Executive visited the hospital to gain a better understanding on the condition of the injured. At approximately 2.42pm today, the Fire Services Bureau was notified that a tourist bus had crashed into a building in Rua da Entena, near Kiang Wu Hospital. The bus was carrying 44 tourists from several provinces in the mainland that had travelled from Shenzhen in Guangdong Province to Macao. Details of the accident were given during a press conference held this evening at Government Headquarters by the Office of the Government Spokesperson. Representatives of the Fire Services Bureau; the Public Security Police Force; the Health Bureau; the Kiang Wu Hospital; the Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau; the Macao Government Tourism Office; and the Social Welfare Bureau attended the press conference. A total of 32 mainland tourists – ranging in age from seven years to 78 – were injured in the accident. A total of 31 of the injured were treated at Kiang Wu Hospital, while one person was sent to the Conde S. Januário Hospital. Among those injured, three patients were said to be in critical situation. Two of the three were being treated in intensive care with non life-threatening head injuries and were conscious when admitted to hospital. The third, a 46-year-old woman with head injuries, remained in a coma after surgery. A further five patients were being kept under observation. The remainder of those that were treated in hospital had since been discharged. The police said the driver of the tourist bus was a local resident and had been kept for questioning following the accident. The police were carrying out further investigations into the cause of the accident: there was suspicion that dangerous driving was involved. One theory is that the driver may have failed to apply the handbrake properly before leaving the bus. The driver told police he left the bus because his vehicle had been hit by another vehicle; he got off to check the situation. The Government has initiated work to reinforce the building hit by the tourist bus. The Land, Public Works and Transport Bureau said one of the supporting pillars of the building was seriously damaged in the crash. Only once reinforcement measures were completed could the authorities remove the bus from the scene. The affected building has six storeys, accommodating a total of 21 residential units and six shops. More than 10 residents in the building were evacuated after the accident. The Centre for Victims of Disaster, located in Ilha Verde, has been made available to provide shelter for residents from the affected building. Police on duty at the crash site – along with community associations – were available to provide assistance to affected residents, including arranging admission to the Centre for Victims of Disaster. Officials from the Macao Government Tourism Office and the Tourism Crisis Management Office visited the crash site and the hospitals where the injured were treated, in order to provide assistance to tourists affected by the accident. The accident has been reported to the China National Tourism Administration and the Guangdong Tourism Bureau. The Government would make arrangements to assist relatives of those being treated in hospital to come to Macao.
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In response to the serious tour bus accident that occurred this afternoon, the Macao SAR Government activated its tourism crisis response mechanism and an emergency meeting was held at 8 p.m at the Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) in order to discuss the follow-up work and assist the affected tourists. The Offices of the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, the Secretary for Land, Public Works and Transport and the Secretary for Security, the Unitary Police Service, Public Security Police Force, Macao Government Tourism Office, Health Bureau, Fire Service Bureau, Macau International Airport Co. Ltd., Administration of Airports Ltd., Association of Macao Tourist Agents, Travel Industry Council of Macau were all represented among a total of 18 entities who joined the meeting to discuss several topics such as the treatment of the injured tourists, the support by the tourism industry to the travel agency involved in the accident and visit permits of the injured tourists. The Tourism Crisis Management Office will continue to coordinate with the relevant entities and follow-up. If necessary, affected tourists and their families can contact the 24-hour Tourism Hotline: (853) 2833 3000.
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