News

The new issue of the Macao Higher Education Magazine - International Edition has been published. Interested parties can obtain the magazines in specific government departments, public libraries, higher education institutions etc. or access the website of the Tertiary Education Services Office (GAES) to view or download the magazine. The content of the Macao Higher Education Magazine – International Edition is comprehensive and diversified, comprising the discussion of relevant issues on higher education, overview of characteristic academic departments in local higher education institutions, sharing of students’ learning experiences, introduction of higher education students’ activities, information for further education, and the display of individual creations etc. The history of Macao’s modern higher education is not long, but it has been making prominent progress and attracting more and more non-local students to choose to further their studies in Macao. In this issue, the Magazine has interviewed some non-local students, who share their causes and thoughts of studying in Macao. In the meantime, the higher education institutions of Macao introduce their services and support, as well as extra-curriculum activities to non-local students. In addition, the Magazine introduces how the Macau University of Science and Technology presented the overview of Macao’s history through their research on antique maps from around the world in these two years. The University Librarian, Dr Paul Poon, who has recently received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Michigan, shares with the readers about the benefits and essence of reading. Magazine copies will be given out at GAES, Centre for Higher Education Students, Public Information Centre, Government Service Centre, public libraries, Macao’s higher education institutions, Plaza Cultural Macau, Starlight Bookstore etc. Interested parties can also browse the website of GAES (http://www.gaes.gov.mo/big5/) to view or download the new or previous issues for both the Chinese and International Edition of the Macao Higher Education Magazine.
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As scheduled, the exchange period of the Monkey and Rooster Zodiac Banknotes will end on 22 July 2016 (Friday). In consideration for convenience to the public, a grace period has been set up this year from 25 July (Monday) to 29 July (Friday) 2016. Registrants who have not yet conducted the note exchange are advised to exchange for their subscribed notes during business hours at their previously selected location within the grace period. In respect of the requirements concerning note exchange conducted by authorized representatives, please browse the webpage of AMCM (www.amcm.gov.mo) or call our hotline (Tel: 2856 5071 / 2856 5072) for enquiry.
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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 13 July to 19 July 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 specific price surveys on fresh pork and vegetables are 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. The relevant surveys include selling prices of local fresh pork and vegetables, and comparison on the respective selling prices rom Zhuhai, HK, and Macao. For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) is paying close attention to the incident of the attack on a train that occurred in Germany. Until the present moment, GGCT has not received any request for information or assistance. From information gathered through the Macao travel industry, currently there is no indication that Macao tour groups have been affected. If necessary, Macao residents can call: 24-hour Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000; The Chinese Embassy and consulates or the Global Emergency Call Center for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24-hour hotline: +86 10 12308 for assistance.
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The 30th Portuguese Language Summer Course, organised by the University of Macau (UM) Department of Portuguese, kicked off (18 July). The course will last until 5 August. Prof Hong Gang Jin, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, said that the course aims to help students develop four essential skills to prepare them to become competent global citizens: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. Vice Rector (Research) Rui Martins welcomed participants from different parts of the world and said in his opening remarks that over the past 30 years, the Department of Portuguese at UM has successfully graduated many competent Portuguese learners who have gone on to pursue other Portuguese-related studies. Prof Jin said that the faculty has spent many months preparing the course to ensure that students will be exposed to different ways of communication. She added that the course will give students an opportunity to work together as a team, to understand world languages and cultures form many different perspective, and to improve their Portuguese language knowledge and skills and apply the skills creatively in real life. The opening ceremony was held in the University Hall (N2). Guests attending the ceremony included João Neves, director of the Portuguese Oriental Institute and representative of the consul general of Portugal in Macao and Hong Kong; Chan Ka Hou, acting deputy director of the Tertiary Education Services Office; Ivone Isabel da Senna-Fernandes, representative of the Education and Youth Affairs Bureau; Cheong Iok Kuan, acting director of the Macau Security Force Superior School; and Vice Rector (Student Affairs) Haydn Chen. The purpose of the Portuguese Language Summer Course is to promote the knowledge of the Portuguese language and culture. This year's event, in particular, will give participants a chance to learn more about the linguistic, historical, social, economic, political, and cultural developments of Macao through various cultural activities, including visits to local museums and the Historical Centre of Macao. Participants will also have the opportunity to enjoy fun extracurricular activities such as Portuguese folk dance and choral singing. Over the years, the course has attracted many students from around the world. This year's event attracted approximately 400 students from mainland China, Macao, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States, East Timor, Australia, and other parts of the world. The course covers five different levels: beginner's level, basic level, intermediate level, advanced level, and superior level (which is introduced this year). Some of the new features of this year's course include a class in translation between Chinese and Portuguese.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, will lead an official delegation to Beijing from 20 to 22 July, for the advancement of Beijing-Macao partnership and for discussions on the city’s first Five-Year Development Plan. During his three-day visit to Beijing, Mr Chui will have a meeting with the Secretary of the Communist Party of China Beijing Municipal Committee, Mr Guo Jinlong. Mr Chui will also have a meeting with officials from the National Development and Reform Commission, to discuss Macao’s Five-Year Development Plan, which outlines proposals for the city’s social and economic development for the period 2016 to 2020. Members of the Macao delegation will include: the Chief of Office of the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms O Lam; and the Consultant to the Chief Executive’s Office, Ms Lei Ngan Leng. While Mr Chui is in Beijing, the Secretary for Administration and Justice, Ms Chan Hoi Fan, will be the acting Chief Executive.
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The 63rd edition of Macau’s annual sporting event, the Macau Grand Prix, will be held this year from November 17-20, 2016. The Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee held a sponsorship signing ceremony today (July the 18th) at the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre where Dr. Alexis Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture of the Macau SAR Government and President of the Macau Grand Prix Organizing Committee, witnessed the signing of the title sponsorship agreement between the Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR and Suncity Group. During the event, Mr. Pun Weng Kun, President of Sports Bureau of the Macao SAR and Mr. Alvin Chau, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Suncity Group, marked the signing of the sponsorship agreement with the presentation of a giant cheque. This year’s event is officially named the Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix. Sports Bureau President Mr. Pun Weng Kun expressed his gratitude to the Suncity Group for for their promotion and support of the event, and towards the development of local sport. Since it began, each year the Macau Grand Prix is warmly welcomed by local and international competitors, as well as fans and visitors from all over the world. Over the years, the success of this international event has relied upon the vital support and cooperation by Macao SAR Government departments and professional associations. This year, the Macau Grand Prix will be run by a new Organizing Committee which will continuously coordinate the preparatory work of other departments, partners and individuals to ensure exciting and thrilling races for audiences. Mr. Alvin Chau, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Suncity Group, reiterated his organisation’s full support of the development of local sporting events and cultural creativity. He noted that Suncity Group was honored to take title sponsorship of Macau Grand Prix for the third consecutive year, and looked forward to the collaboration. The Macau Grand Prix continues to grow each year, with the 62nd running of the event posting record revenues of MOP53 million. More than 80,000 spectators filled the grandstands in 2015, in excess of 1,000 media representatives from 19 countries and territories covered the Grand Prix for over 200 news organisations, and the Grand Prix was telecast in 934 separate broadcasts for a combined total of 752 hours to countless millions around the world. Visitors to the official website increased 53% over the previous year, recording 15 million hits in just four days. Promotion for this year’s event continues to gather pace after a Macau Grand Prix roadshow at the Shanghai Chinese F1 Grand Prix in April and in Wuhan in May. The Grand Prix is again benefitting from the strong support of the Macau Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and, since April this year, has already featured in numerous promotional events in Mainland China, Chinese Taipei, Korea, Australia, France and the USA. Further promotional events will be held in Shenyang, Zhaoqing, Shenzhen, Hong Kong and Nanjing between now and October. Once again, a number of educational visits to the Macau Grand Prix Building are being held, with students from several local schools visiting between March and July. Action on the Guia Circuit begins with two practice and qualifying days, with races held on the weekend of November 19 and 20. Tickets range from MOP50 (USD6.50) for practice days up to MOP900.00 (USD115.00) for a spectator seat at the Lisboa Stand for each of the race days. For the second consecutive year, Maserati Safety, Medical, Rescue and Official vehicles will be provided by Auto Italia Limited and Kong Fong Motors Company Limited. The Suncity Group 63rd Macau Grand Prix will be held from November 17-20, 2016. Further information can be found by visiting the official Macau Grand Prix website at http://www.macau.grandprix.gov.mo or by downloading the mobile applications. Organisers look forward to seeing both local residents and visitors celebrate the carnival atmosphere surrounding this prestigious local sporting brand through a wide variety of events.
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The 16th Macao City Fringe Festival, organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), will be held in January next year. Call for proposals of programmes is now open. IC invites all local associations registered at the Identification Services Bureau and artistic practitioners to submit proposals of programmes until 26 August 2016. Macao City Fringe Festival has adopted the slogan “All around the city, our stages, our patrons, our artists” over the years and has become a distinctive event with innovative performances derived from the abstract concepts by artists from local and different parts of the world presented in streets and lanes of the city. This edition’s Macao City Fringe Festival will use this creative concept again and develop more channels and exchange platforms for local artists, producers and artistic practitioners to participate in the event. Call for proposals of programmes of this edition’s Macao City Fringe Festival is now open. The programmes can be local, overseas works or cross-regional collaborations produced in any art form. Artists are encouraged to transform their audacious ideas into concrete programme proposals. In addition, this edition’s Macao City Fringe Festival will have interactive sessions such as Programme Showcase, to allow foreign artists to have better understanding about the current art development in Macao, thereby enhancing the possibility of collaboration between local and overseas artists. Interested local associations registered at the Identification Services Bureau and artistic practitioners should submit application forms and relevant documents during office hours (including lunch hours) by 26 August 2016 to the Cultural Affairs Bureau Building located at Tap Siac Square, indicating the following on the envelope: “Attn: Division of Performing Arts, Cultural Affairs Bureau, Call for Proposals of Programmes for the 16th Macao City Fringe Festival”. The regulations and application form of proposals of programmes are available to download at the IC website (www.icm.gov.mo). For enquiries, please contact staff members of IC Ms. Chau through tel. no. (853) 8399 6601 or email MargaridaChau@icm.gov.mo; or Ms. Tong through tel. no. (853) 8399 6608 or email pitong@icm.gov.mo during office hours.
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Organised by the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), the “Roaming Vision + Digital: Exhibition of Ink Paintings by Leung Kui Ting” is now being held at the IACM Temporary Exhibitions Gallery. Hong Kong artist Leung Kui Ting has introduced novel design elements to the ink painting tradition and these paintings are worth to be appreciated. The organiser has, with the approach of the summer holidays, extended the exhibition period to Sunday, 14 August, to enable more young people to appreciate these contemporary art works in unique styles. Hong Kong is unique and diverse in terms of its cultural background. With the Chinese cultural tradition at its backbone, it is also receptive to international trends, and these various constituents are able to harmoniously coexist. Leung Kui Ting absorbs worldly elements available to him, and he forges a style that is uniquely Hong Kong. Leung studied painting under renowned artist Lui Shou-kwan and learnt design from Wucius Wong in his early years. He founded the Hong Kong Chingying Institute of Visual Arts in 1980 and worked as a part-time lecturer at the Hong Kong Polytechnic Institute for over ten years. This exhibition presents Leung’s 28 ink works, allowing visitors to appreciate his unusual painting style and techniques and allowing them to get to know a new approach to ink painting. Based on the transformation and exploration of Chinese traditional painting, his landscape ink paintings come from his heart and are abstracted from concrete appearance rather than being mere reflections of reality. Leung invented a digital landscape painting technique which superimposes digital lines and dots on the outlines of mountains and rocks drawn in a traditional way, which makes his contemporary art ink works truly unique. The exhibition is open daily from 9am to 9pm, including on public holidays. Docent services in Cantonese are available from 3pm to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays during the exhibition period. Groups and schools are advised to make reservations. For enquiries and reservations, please call IC through tel. no. 8988 4100, during office hours.
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Consumer Report issue no. 274 includes a report conducted by Consumer Council on the hygienic condition and quality of condoms, and a detailed report on the analysis of product labels of routers. Consumers may get the magazine for free and various locations, or browse the contents on the Council’s website and WeChat official account. Consumer Council examined 18 types of condoms from the market to test their leakage, breakage, and hygiene, etc.; all samples tested pass the China’s national standards for technique and hygiene. Even though the dimensions of the tested products comply with the requirement of the testing standard, there is generally no labeling about the product dimension on all product packages, and most of the condoms claim to be ‘thin’ or ‘extra thin’ but the thickness is not listed on the package as well. Consumers may check the detailed report in the latest issue of Consumer Report. For safety and health reasons, Consumer Council reminds consumers to pay attention to the expiry dates of condoms, and not to purchase condoms of unknown sources and poor packaging. Consumers now generally use wireless router at home, and it may require some professional knowledge when buying one, the Council therefore collects 17 different dual-band routers and compares the information on their product labels, including wireless technique format, speed, functions, and prices, etc.. Details of the comparison and suggestions on how to choose a router that fits consumer’s personal needs can be found in Consumer Report. The Council and Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau (IACM) work together to test on the quality of bottled water. The annual test result shows that all 30 examples of distilled water, spring water, and mineral water pass the test. Details of the report and other suggestions on purchasing bottled water can be found in 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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