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The Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Specialisation in Professional Accountancy programme and the Bachelor of Science in Accounting with Specialisation in Accounting and Information Systems programme, both offered by the University of Macau’s (UM) Faculty of Business Administration, have been accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA). Students of the two programmes admitted from the 2013/2014 academic year onwards are eligible for exemption from all or part of the papers at the Fundamentals level of the ACCA Qualification, provided that the corresponding courses are completed. Graduates of the two programmes are eligible to claim exemptions from nine papers (Paper F1 – F9) and eight papers (Paper F1 – F5 and F7 – F9) at the Fundamentals level, respectively. They can then work towards completing their ACCA Qualification by passing the remaining examinations, together with three years of practical experience and the Professional Ethics module. The title of ‘Fellow’ will be awarded to those who complete the continuing professional development (CPD) and have been an ACCA member for five years. Founded in 1904, the ACCA is a global organisation for professional accountants and supports 178,000 members and 455,000 students worldwide. ACCA members benefit from a network of 95 offices that provide a wealth of resources and support. An ACCA member is also entitled to use the ACCA designation with his or her name.
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Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) held the “Parade for the Celebration of the Year of the Monkey” at Macao’s Northern District tonight (13 February). Livening up the district with festive joy, the Parade attracted large crowds of local residents and visitors. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, President of Macao Sports Bureau, José Tavares, and Head of Department for the Development of the Performing Arts of Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC), Kent Ieong Chi Kin, officiated the kick-off ceremony together with other guests at Rua Norte do Patane at 8 p.m. tonight. Featuring 14 floats in total, the Parade began at Rua Norte do Patane. The parading procession then marched through Avenida do Conselheiro Borja, Estrada do Arco, Estrada da Areia Preta, Avenida de Venceslau de Morais, Rua Quatro do Bairro da Areia Preta, Avenida da Longevidade and Rua do Mercado de Iao Hon until the finishing point at Iao Hon Market Garden. At the starting and finishing points, MGTO gave away small presents such as monkey mascots and hats, illuminated wrist bands and flashlight clappers, which went widely popular among the audience. Stage performances started in Iao Hon Market Garden at 8:15 p.m, featuring local singers Filipe Tou, Alan Tse, Ken Sou, Kevin Cheng, Viviana Lo, Elisa Chan, Ring Hun and Kayaku Sou. The event was culminated with the finale performance presented by Hong Kong artist Vincent Wong. The response from the public was overwhelming and the stage performances came to an end at 9:30 p.m. After the parade, the 14 floats are showcased at Tap Seac Square until 6 p.m. on 21 February (the 14th day of Lunar New Year). The floats are dazzling with illuminations to allow photo opportunities for local residents and visitors from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. between 14 and 20 February. MGTO is actively promoting community tourism development while making great efforts to develop diversity of tourism products. Following the mega outdoor celebrations rolled out at the heart of the Macao Peninsula on the first day of Lunar New year and the first Parade on the third day, MGTO specially arranged the float parade at Macao’s Northern District, encouraging visitors to explore different neighborhoods and experience Macao in different ways. Besides the float parade which fills the town with festive vibe, with Valentine’s Day coming on this Chinese New Year, MGTO specially presents “Valentine's Day Fantasia 2016 – The Fairytale of Lights” at the Taipa Houses-Museum area and numerous attractions nearby in Taipa from 7 to 29 February, offering a fascinating choice of leisure and entertainment for local residents and visitors. The 3D mapping show themed as “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper” will radiate romantic sparks from 12 to 22 February and let the warm ambience go on throughout this festive season. In addition, MGTO rolls out a prize-redemption game named “Macao Hunt” on WeChat from 1 to 28 February, guiding local residents and visitors to look out for golden monkeys along four designated walking tour routes under the theme “Step Out, Experience Macao’s Communities”, for a chance to win electronic coupons from merchants and enter a lucky draw. The game is launched to further enhance the charm of community tourism. This press release is available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/
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With Valentine’s Day and Chinese Lantern Festival soon arriving, Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) is kicking off its 3D mapping show, a highlight of “Valentine's Day Fantasia 2016 – The Fairytale of Lights”, with an opening ceremony held at the Amphitheater of the Taipa Houses-Museum tonight (12 February). The 3D mapping show themed as “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper” is presented to local residents and visitors with the warmest blessings and wishes that all lovers and families can enjoy the sweetest happiness and bliss every day. MGTO Director Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes, President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, Ung Vai Meng, and Administration Committee Member of Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau, Isabel Celeste Jorge, unveiled the 3D mapping show of “Valentine's Day Fantasia 2016 – The Fairytale of Lights”. Beautiful like a dream, the enchanting 3D mapping show “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper” was officially launched tonight, inviting spectators to travel through time and step into an imaginative world of romantic fairytale. The MGTO-organized “Valentine's Day Fantasia 2016 – The Fairytale of Lights” is staged at the Taipa Houses-Museum area and numerous attractions nearby in Taipa from 7 to 29 February, presenting light installations at over ten locations, an interactive game as well as a 3D mapping show. The Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau and Cultural Affairs Bureau are the event co-organizers. By holding a wide variety of events and activities, MGTO encourages visitors from around the world to visit Macao for a long vacation besides offering new choices of leisure and entertainment to local residents, as the Office keeps on forging Macao into a “City of Events” and supporting the SAR Government to foster Macao’s development into a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. The 14 groups of light installations, including 9,999 rose illuminations, are dazzling across the Taipa Houses-Museum area and Carmel Parish between 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. from 7 to 29 February. As for another highlight in the event, the 3D mapping show “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper” is staged to express heartwarming wishes to residents and visitors at the Amphitheater of the Taipa Houses-Museum between 12 and 22 February, a period which covers Valentine’s Day, the 7th day of Lunar New Year known as “Human’s Birthday”, as well as Chinese Lantern Festival, a traditional occasion celebrated by Chinese lovers. Themed as “Cinderella’s Glass Slipper”, the 3D mapping show is staged from 7 p.m. until the last show at 9:55 p.m. each night during the aforementioned period. The story of Cinderella comes to life in a brand-new way through an extravaganza of lights. The story is about a prince who travels through time to meet his girl again in Macao on Valentine’s Day. The prince helps the girl to put on her glass slipper, and they live happily ever after, with sweet blessings showered upon every resident and visitor. An interactive game is also available after each round of 3D mapping show, with the last game presented at 9:40 p.m. The game combines bicycle generators and 3D projection mapping techniques, allowing participants to weave their own romantic fairytale. The Office rolled out “Macao Light Festival 2015 - Journey of Lights” last December, a spectacular event that went widely popular with positive feedback received. Following the success, MGTO brings on another lighting extravaganza at the Taipa Houses-Museum area and numerous attractions nearby, hoping to enrich the calendar of festive activities on Taipa and also create beautiful memories in the heart of visitors and residents this festive season of joy and love. In the days ahead, MGTO will keep up its efforts to organize a diversity of events and activities, as well as strengthen the partnership between tourism, culture and sports to radiate a greater synergistic effect, hoping to let visitors experience the city in various styles. The Office will also keep assessing and evaluating the effectiveness of the events and festivals, while hearing ideas and suggestions from various circles in the society. The Office will be dedicated to achieving a balance between the needs of residents and visitors, striving for the best and widening the public’s participation. On top of the above endeavors, the Office will look into the possibilities of rolling out more fun, innovative and colorful events in various local districts at different times of the year, hoping to gain the support and love of residents and visitors alike. This press release is available at: http://industry.macaotourism.gov.mo/en/pressroom/
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The Government would formulate a detailed plan to conserve and where possible restore the pavilion and relics damaged in a suspected accidental fire at A-Ma Temple. It is estimated by the Cultural Affairs Bureau that the basic work would take two to three months. The likely timetable was announced after several site visits and meetings with the management board of the Temple. It might take at least one year to repair fully the structure and interior of the affected pavilion, which is A-Ma Temple’s main pavilion, added the Bureau. The Government would give its full support to the Temple’s management during the restoration process. The help would include: providing a thorough fire safety inspection at the Temple; safeguarding the architectural structure of the Temple and protecting its surroundings; and providing advice for the restoration work. The fire broke out early on Wednesday morning, resulting in severe damage to a temple altar, some wall plaques, inscribed tablets and some wooden furniture. The main structure of the affected pavilion – including its main beams, walls and roof – was slightly damaged, but can comfortably be repaired. The statue of the Goddess A-Ma – the item of greatest historical value in the damaged pavilion – suffered no major damage, the Bureau said. The suspected cause of the fire was a malfunction of electrical equipment. The affected pavilion of A-Ma Temple remains closed until further notice. The Government is highly concerned about this incident and calls on all owners, managers or staff at Macao’s heritage sites to ensure they are properly protected. They are asked to pay particular attention to electrical safety. A-Ma Temple is an important part of the Historic Centre of Macao, which is included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
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The Cinematheque．Passion under the Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC) will host a second talk this year entitled “How film festivals are organised”, conducted by Hong Kong professional filmmaker Jonathan Hung, to be held on Saturday, 27 February, from 3 to 5pm. Admission is free. Hong Kong critic and filmmaker Jonathan Hung, who has years of experience in film festival organisation, will discuss with the audience how to design, plan and organise film festivals with distinctive character. Topics of the talk include criteria for film selection, programme planning, film renting, screening venues, ticketing, promotion and education. Hung is currently director of InD Blue (Hong Kong) and InDPanda International Film Festival. He has started writing film and theatre critique in several newspapers, magazines and columns since 1997. He was a development manager at the Film and Video Department of the Hong Kong Arts Centre and participated in ifva Festival and the release of independent films in Asia. Seats are limited. All interested parties are welcome to enrol in the above-mentioned talk via email (info.dpicc@icm.gov.mo) indicating as subject ‘Enrolment for the talk “How film festivals are organised”’, as well as providing respective name, contact number and contact email, by 26 February (Friday) at 12pm. For enquiries regarding the talk or the Cinematheque, please contact Mr. Leong though tel. no. (853) 2892 4040 during office hours. For details, please visit the Cultural Affairs Bureau website (www.icm.gov.mo) or the Macao Cultural and Creative Industries Website (www.macaucci.com).
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Consumer Council conducted its latest ‘Supermarket price survey’ on 11 February for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included 11 supermarkets in Taipa and Coloane area. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), and the ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM’s Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. With reference to the local six parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided over 100 supermarkets into 8 areas for price collection. The Council collects prices from these supermarkets for the provision of a more comprehensive database for consumers to check price discrepancies and make price comparisons according to their desired locations. For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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According to statistics released today by the Monetary Authority of Macao, new small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) lending approved by Macao banks rebounded in the second half of 2015. Concurrently, the utilisation of SME credit in proportion to the credit limit approved by banks dropped when compared with the previous survey period. New lending approved In the second half of 2015, new SME credit limit approved by Macao banks totalled MOP20.6 billion, up by 14.5% from the first half year but down 17.9% from the same period last year. The collateralised ratio, which indicates the proportion of credit limit with tangible assets pledged, was 83.7%, up 5.2 percentage points when compared with the last survey period or 1.7 percentage points when compared with the same period of 2014. Credit utilisation As at end-December 2015, the outstanding value of total SME loans increased 2.3% from end-June 2015 or 11.3% from a year earlier to MOP66.7 billion. When compared with end-June 2015, SME loans to “non-monetary financial institutions”, “restaurants, hotels and similar activities” and “construction and public works” increased at respective rates of 51.5%, 14.7% and 11.4%, whereas those to “wholesale and retail trade” and “manufacturing” dropped 18.0% and 10.0% respectively. The utilisation rate, defined as the proportion of outstanding credit balance to the credit limit granted, dropped 3.5 percentage points from six months ago to 61.2%. Delinquent loans At end-2015, the outstanding balance of delinquent SME loans increased by 87.0% from six months ago to MOP366.2 million. Compared to a year ago, the balance grew 168.5%. The delinquency ratio, a ratio of delinquent loans outstanding balance to total SME loans outstanding, rose 0.25 percentage points from end-June 2015 or 0.32 percentage points from a year earlier to 0.55%.
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The Government would propose including the Zika virus in Macao’s official list of infectious diseases, as part of the Government’s effort further to minimise the risk of the spread to Macao of the mosquito-borne disease. The list is included in the law relating to the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The announcement was made after the Health Bureau was notified on Tuesday (9 February) by the National Health and Family Planning Commission about the first imported case of Zika on the mainland. The Government is closely monitoring developments relating to the Zika virus and has taken a series of preventive measures endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Key tools used in monitoring for Zika virus and preventing its transmission in Macao include: the strengthening of existing monitoring measures for infectious diseases; ensuring sufficient laboratory capacity and testing facilities for detecting the disease; the strengthening of cooperation with the WHO and with neighbouring places including the mainland and Hong Kong for information on the latest developments relating to the disease; and enhancing efforts on sharing information with the public on the risks associated with the virus. Further to safeguard public health, the Government has suspended – with effect from 5 February – accepting blood donations from those returning from affected areas, unless they have been back and symptom free for more than four weeks (28 days). This is the time period recommended by several international organisations to prevent the Zika virus from spreading via blood donations. The Government will launch a mosquito eradication campaign beginning in March in a bid to combat any threat from the virus. It can be transmitted to humans from mosquito bites. Most cases of transmission of the virus from mosquitoes to humans were reported in countries and territories in Central and South America and the Caribbean. They include Brazil, Columbia, Mexico and Venezuela. Contraction of the Zika virus by women in the early stages of pregnancy could lead to abnormalities at birth in human infants. The Health Bureau urges pregnant women and those women planning to become pregnant to consider deferring any scheduled trip to affected areas. Travellers are suggested that if they must travel to the affected areas to wear light-coloured and long-sleeved clothing, apply insect repellent, and stay in air-conditioned places or places with mosquito screens. If any symptoms of Zika infection, such as fever or rash, develop after returning from overseas, affected travellers should seek medical advice immediately.
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The University of Macau (UM) and its State Key Laboratory of Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI (AMSV) are pleased to announce that three papers and three (PhD) Student Research Previews were accepted and presented at the 63rd ISSCC that took place, as always, in San Francisco, California. This was again an excellent harvest for AMSV the leading laboratory in the field of Electronics in the Greater China region. The IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society is the world’s most authoritative forum in the field of IC (Integrated Circuits) design, and their IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) is considered the ‘Chip Olympics’ of IC academia and industry. This year the conference’s theme was: SILICON SYSTEMS FOR THE INTERNET OF EVERYTHING. Prof Pui-In Mak (Elvis), Dr Jun Yin (Kevin) and PhD student Ka-Meng Lei, presented their papers, entitled ‘A 0.038mm2 Saw-less Multiband Transceiver using an N-Path SC Gain Loop’, ‘A 0.003mm2 1.7-to-3.5GHz Dual-Mode Time-Interleaved Ring-VCO achieving 90-to150kHz 1/f3 Phase-Noise Corner’ and ‘A Handheld 50-pM Sensitivity Micro-NMR CMOS Platform with B-Field Stabilization for Multi-Type Biological/Chemical Assays’, respectively. This last paper was also selected for a Demonstration Session and received the Silk Road Award for the best PhD student paper from the Far-East. PhD Students Liang Qi, Chio-In Ieong (Tom) and Wei-Han Yu (Hank) presented their communications and posters at the Student Research Preview, entitled ‘A 12.5-ENOB 5MHz BW 4.2mW DT Multirate 2-1 Mash ΔΣ Modulator with Horizontal/Vertical Opamp Sharing in 65nm CMOS’, ‘A 0.45V 147-to-375nW Hardware-Efficient Real-Time ECG Processor with Lossless-to-Lossy Data Compression for Wireless Healthcare Wearables’ and ‘A 2.4-GHz Digitally-Modulated Class-D Polar Pa Using Power-Gating, Interactive Am-Am Modulation and a Dynamic Matching Network for Battery Lifetime Extension’, respectively. The last 2 research previews received Student Travel Grant Awards. Finally, Prof Seng-Pan U, Deputy Director of AMSV, received also at the conference his IEEE Fellow certificate attributed in 2016 by the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society. When compared to world-top level universities and companies, the above results are really outstanding and unique by any standards in the state-of-the-art area of Electronics, the leading discipline of the 4th Industrial Revolution also known as INDUSTRY 4.0.
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The Government would spare no effort in conserving and if possible restoring those relics damaged in what is suspected to have been an accidental fire at A-Ma Temple, said the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Mr Tam Chon Weng. It was distressing to learn that a temple altar and some wall plaques in a pavilion of A-Ma Temple were damaged as a result of the fire, Mr Tam told reporters after a tour of the site on Wednesday (10 February). A-Ma Temple is included on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The fire broke out early on Wednesday morning. The suspected cause was a malfunction of electrical equipment in a pavilion. The affected pavilion of A-Ma Temple remains closed until further notice. The Secretary pledged the Government would strengthen safety measures and safety promotion in the city’s temples and heritage attractions, in a bid to prevent further accidents. The Government has always paid great attention to protecting the city’s heritage attractions and makes frequent inspections of them to ensure they are properly managed. This year’s safety promotion campaign started on 28 January, as the city’s temples usually receive many visitors during the Lunar New Year period in particular. The Fire Services Bureau and the Cultural Affairs Bureau have between them inspected more than 20 temples to promote fire safety message.
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