The Macao Museum, responding to the need for docent services by the public, students, educators and visitors, will offer the ‘Cultural Affairs Bureau’s Fourth Docent Training Course’ this September and October. Applications for registration can be submitted from now until July 16th . In recent years, the docent training course has enabled the museum to train a stream of promising and talented docents that provide guide services to Macao residents and visitors. The course is instructed in mandarin and cantonese by noted academics and professors from Hong Kong and Macao as well as specialists attached to the Cultural Affairs Bureau. They instruct students in different fields of knowledge, and lead them in practical training and discussion in the domain of docent services including museum knowledge, docent techniques, Chinese and western cultural history, arts and culture, the Historic Centre of Macao, archaeology, restoration of cultural relics, painting and calligraphy of the Lingnan region, and western painting. The course prepares docents for the Macao Museum and a wide variety of specialized exhibitions. There is no tuition for the course. Application is open to Macao residents that have graduated from senior middle school or higher who possess a desire to work in the field of docent services and with the public. A total of 38 students (including ten audient students) will be admitted to the course. Those who complete the course and pass the examination will receive a certificate of docent training issued by the Cultural Affairs Bureau. The course is also open (subject to a limited number of audient students) to individuals currently working as docents or individuals that have previously taken the docent training course. These students will be exempt from some practical training and certain classes on basic knowledge. After completing the designated specialized classes and exams, auditing students will be issued a certificate of advanced study in docent services issued by the Cultural Affairs Bureau. The course will be held from September 18th to October 31st on Saturdays and Sundays (Saturday 14:30 to 17:30, Sunday 10:00 to 13:00 and 14:30 to 17:30). Application forms, registration brochures can be obtained from the ticket office of the Macao Museum and the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre or downloaded from the websites of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (www.icm.gov.mo) and Macao Museum (www.macaumuseum.gov.mo). Applicants should return the completed application form, proof of identity, a copy of each academic credential document and a recent 1.5 inch colour photo in a sealed document envelope to the Macao Museum ticket office or the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre during open hours. The deadline for submission of applications is July 16th, 2010. The deadline for the submission of applications mailed to the Macao Museum (Praceta do Museu de Macau, No. 112) is July 16th , 2010 (based on the postmark). The organizer will select applicants based on educational background and experience. Preference will be given to candidates fluent in multiple languages, or Mandarin, English or Portuguese. Final selection of applicants will be determined based on an interview. The list of selected applicants and alternate applicants will be released on August 13th , 2010 and posted on the websites of the Cultural Affairs Bureau (www.icm.gov.mo) and the Macao Museum (www.macaumuseum.gov.mo). The list will also be posted at the Macao Museum ticket office and at the Kun Iam Ecumenical Centre. Registration inquiries can be made during office hours by contacting Ms. Becky (83941231) or Ms. Joana (83941205).