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“Exhibition of the 70th Anniversary of Han Tianheng”, jointly organised by the Macao Museum of Art under the auspices of the Cultural Affairs Bureau and the Han Tianheng Art Museum in Shanghai, was inaugurated on 17 June, at 6:30pm, at the Gallery of Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy on the 4th floor of the Macao Museum of Art. This exhibition features a total of 188 pieces/sets of Han Tianheng’s calligraphy, paintings, seal engravings and literati playthings for the audience to appreciate Han’s unique artistic creation style and achievements. Deputy Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao S.A.R., Cai Siping; Director of the Department of Education and Culture of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao S.A.R., Xu Ting; Acting President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao S.A.R. Government, Leung Hio Ming; Vice-President of the Shanghai Federation of Industry and Commerce, Tang Liang; Deputy President of the Yu Un Painting & Chinese Calligraphy Association, Sio Chun Iun; Vice-President of the Han Tianheng Art Foundation, Chen Limei; President of the Macau Artist Society, Lai Ieng; Vice-President of the Hou Kong Seal Association, Ho Pan; Artist of the exhibition, Han Tianheng attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Han Tianheng was born in Shanghai in 1940. His family came from Suzhou, in Jiangsu Province,. Han Tianheng is a prestigious master and scholar in contemporary painting and seal engraving, and has achieved remarkable success in the artistic field for his creativity and impact. Hailed for his innovative spirit and inspiring creation that inherits and transcends tradition, his accomplishments in seal engraving are especially prominent, his works being collected by museums and galleries in China and aboard, including the British Museum. Mentored by art masters such as Fang Jiekan, Fang Quji, Ma Gongyu, Lu Weizhao, Xie Zhiliu and Lu Yanshao, Han Tianheng holds a number of social positions. He is the current honorary Dean of the Academy of Chinese Seal Engraving Art, Vice president of the Xiling Society of Seal Arts and a consultant of the Shanghai Chinese Painting Academy, among others. He has frequently been associated with Macao’s art, culture and press circles since the 1980’s and has established a close friendship with many senior figures of the local art and cultural sector such as Chui Tak Kei, Lam Kan, U Kuan Wai and Lei Pang Chu, contributing significantly to artistic exchange between Shanghai and Macao. The exhibition features works from different periods, including copies and seal engravings of the inscriptions on pagodas in the early period as well as the large calligraphy work Selections of Large-Character Calligraphy and the zhuwen seal Dan Qing Wen Dao, Red legend, square-shaped seal, created recently. Literati playthings like inkstones, red stoneware utensils, water pots and arm rests made by the artist will also be showcased to illustrate his aesthetic interest from different perspectives. “Exhibition of the 70th Anniversary of Han Tianheng” will be held until 7 August at the Macao Museum of Art located at Avenida Xian Xing Hai, NAPE, Macao. Admission fee is MOP5.00, and admission is free on Sunday and public holidays (closed on Monday). For enquiries, please call through tel. no. 8791 9814 during office hours or visit www.MAM.gov.mo.
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The Institute for Tourism Studies (IFT) has been organising a 7-day professional training programme from 14 to 20 June for the officials from APSARA National Authority and heritage tour guides of Cambodia. This is IFT’s first-ever training programme specially designed for Cambodia and the first bilateral cooperation project after signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the Macao SAR Government and the Ministry of Tourism, the Kingdom of Cambodia. There are 4 tourism-related officials and 20 heritage tour guides to participate in the training programme which is themed the Capacity Building of Tour Guides for International Visitors at Ankor World Heritage Site, Cambodia. The programme will strengthen the professional capacity of the Cambodian heritage tour guides through lectures, workshops and visits to the world heritage sites of the Historic Centre of Macao. During their stay in Macao, the participants were received by Dr. Tam Chon Weng, Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture. The training programme is lectured by IFT Academic Coordinator of Heritage Management and Tourism Business Management bachelor degree programmes Dr. Sharif Shams Imon, Visiting Professor Dr. John Ap, Assistant Professor Dr. Cora Wong, as well as Mr. Ong Chin Ee, Lecturer, Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, National University of Singapore. The scholars share their expertise with the participants and have discussions together on varies topics, including the importance of quality visitor services at heritage sites, understanding international tourism and tourists, providing quality visitor experience through guiding, presenting a world heritage site to visitors, working with host communities, management of visitors at a heritage site and developing strategies for quality visitor experience at Angor Wat. At the end of the training, the participants are divided into small groups for presentations as conclusions. On 30 May 2016, the Macao SAR Government and the Ministry of Tourism, the Kingdom of Cambodia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to cooperate in promoting sustainable tourism development through enhancing human capital and establishing collaborations in tourism education and training between Macao and Cambodia. Earlier on October 12, 2015, Macao SAR Government and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Macao. The objective was to enhance cooperation between the two parties in improving the quality of human capital and increasing the competitiveness of tourism destinations (particularly in the Asia Pacific Region) in order to achieve sustainable tourism development. The Global Centre for Tourism Education and Training, soon to be set up by IFT, is tasked with the responsibility to organise training and education programmes, and other projects in collaboration with UNWTO, to achieve the objectives set out in the Memorandum. This training programme for Cambodian tourism officials and heritage tour guides is the first training cooperation organised in collaboration with UNWTO. Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 97 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students. Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has now 7 bachelor degree programmes with the Certification. Currently, the Institute has the most number of bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and won twice the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
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The University of Macau (UM) yesterday (16 June) held the Joint Meeting of the University Assembly (UA) and University Council (UC) for the 2015/2016 academic year in its Ho Yin Conference Hall. Dr Chui Sai On, chief executive of the Macao SAR, chancellor of UM, and chair of the UA, presided over the meeting. Dr Chui said as a main public university in Macao, UM has the responsibility of producing exemplary graduates and introducing talent to the city. He expressed hope that UM will use its strengths to attract overseas-educated Macao residents to return to Macao and serve the needs of UM and the local community. At the meeting, Dr Chui first thanked UA and UC members for their contributions to the development of UM over the past year. He said that the university continued to make progress in academic and research activities in recent years and has gained increasing recognition and influence, with significant enhancement on its hardware and software. Dr Chui hopes that the university will use its various strengths to attract overseas-educated Macao residents to return to Macao and serve the needs of UM and the local community, in accordance with the SAR government’s talent development policy. Dr Chui added that UM’s 35th anniversary is a new starting point for the university to continue to make innovations, to strengthen communication and interaction with the local community, and to assist the government in achieving the goal of developing Macao into a service platform for economic and trade cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking countries and a world tourism and leisure centre. Lastly, he hopes the university’s overall development will effectively increase Macao’s international competitiveness in higher education and will meet the needs of society in its future development. UC Chair Dr Lam Kam Seng reported the UC’s work in the 2015/2016 academic year. He said that in the past year the UC strengthened communication with internal and external stakeholders, so that the university can better serve the needs of society. Dr Lam added that the UC will continue to support the development of the university, to attract overseas-educated Macao talent to advance their careers in Macao, and to continue to enhance university governance. UM Rector Wei Zhao reported the latest developments of the university. He said that UM attained many achievements in academic affairs, research, and student development, and expressed hope that in the new academic year the university will continue to enhance its management system, consolidate teaching and research achievements, promote cross-disciplinary research, continue to enhance the ‘4-in-1’ model of education, strengthen the moral education of students, recruit top faculty members, give priority to locals in recruitment, training, and promotion, and accelerate the localisation of talent. The UA and the UC consist of prominent members of the community, UM’s management, and representatives of faculty members, students, and alumni. The following people attended this year’s UAUC Joint Meeting: Chui Sai On, Lam Kam Seng, Lei Pui Lam, Wong Chong Fat, Lau Veng Lin, Siu Yin Wai, Zhou Ligao, Maria Edith da Silva, Ma Iao Lai, Susana Chou, Ho Iat Seng, Joaquim Jorge Perestrelo Neto Valente, Wong Chi Seng, Wong King Keung, Lao Ngai Leong, Cheng Kar Shing, D José Lai, Kong Tat Choi, Anabela Fátima Xavier Sales Ritchie, Tong Chi Kin, Ma Chi Ngai, Kou Kam Fai, Chui Sai Peng, Au Chong Kit, Leong Heng Teng, Vong Hin Fai, Huen Wing Ming, Ip Peng Kin, Sou Chio Fai, Iong Kong Leong, Kuok Sio Lai, Wei Zhao, Lionel Ni, Rui Martins, Kou Mei, Chuxia Deng, Rose Lai, Agnes Lam, Ao Peng Kong, Kot Man Kam, Wong Soi Kei, Wong Chon In, and UA Secretary and UC Secretary-General Wendy Chan. Those who sat in on the meeting include Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture Tam Chon Weng and Chief of Office of the Chief Executive O Lam.
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The Cultural Affairs Bureau (IC, from the Portuguese acronym) presents the exhibition “Plis & Replis 3－Works by Noël Dolla”, showcasing 32 works by French artist Noël Dolla. Part of the associated Project of the Le French May Arts Festival, the exhibition is organized by IC and co-organized by the Consulate General of France in Hong Kong and Macao, the Alliance Française de Macao and the Bernard Ceysson Gallery, and will be inaugurated on Friday, 24 June, at 6:30pm, at Tap Seac Gallery. Noël Dolla is the youngest member of the Supports/Surfaces group. In the early 1960s, he participated in the process that led the new phase of the avant-garde art movement. Breaking with the traditional form of the picture, his works were then made of mundane materials, discarding the usual materials and structures and using abstract painting to represent his reflexions and studies on the essence of painting. This exhibition features Noël Dolla’s works over 40 years of his creative career. His works from 1960s to the present feature a unique and diverse style, which inspire the audience to reflect. The exhibition also comprises photographs of a wide array of works exhibited by Noël Dolla around the world, thereby hoping to introduce to the public the painter’s diversity of works and creative ideals as well as share the vitality and creative thinking of this French artist. The organizer hopes this exhibition can show the rich and varied fruits of French art. The exhibition “Plis & Replis 3－Works by Noël Dolla” will be held from 25 June to 9 October, at Tap Seac Gallery, located at No. 95, Avenida do Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida. Admission is free. The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 9pm. Admission is free.
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Consumer Council conducted its first ‘Supermarket price survey’ in June on 17 June for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 June. Surveyed locations included supermarkets in São Lázaro and São Lourenço Parishes. The latest ‘Supermarket Price Survey’ is now available on Consumer Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo), ‘Supermarket Price Information Platform’ iPhone and Android apps, and on the Council’s WeChat account page. 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. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. With reference to the local seven parishes and the number of supermarkets in each parish, the Council has divided around 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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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 “Cnidoscolus Quercifolius: Alexandre Marreiros”, the vernissage was held on Thursday, 16 June, at 6:30pm, at the third floor of MAM. The artist gave a finishing touch to his works by varnishing them. The “Macao Arts Window” aims to offer an open and diverse exhibition space and exchange platform, and encourage local artists to explore and express concepts and forms of contemporary art. Alexandre Marreiros was born in 1984 in Cascais, Portugal, and graduated in Architecture from the Arts and Architecture College of the Lusíada University, Lisbon, where he also attained his Master’s degree. He lived in Rio de Janeiro, where he developed his art. He currently resides and works in Macao. Strongly influenced by the German photographer Thomas Florschuetz and the Brazilian artist Carla Guagliardi, Alexandre Marreiros participated in a number of art-related exhibitions and was awarded an honourable mention of Portuguese Contemporary Illustration in 2015. This body of works, entitled “Cnidoscolus Quercifolius”, is divided into three sections. The artist portrays Rio de Janeiro’s slums through paintings or even more directly through photographs, where the shacks built everywhere as if they were an embroidered robe that covered the mountains. This old form of living still exists today. Through these works, the artist hopes to introduce the true facet of the slum’s constructions as well as to show that these are not imaginary objects and that they express the culture of the slums. The exhibition “Cnidoscolus Quercifolius: Alexandre Marreiros” is held until 31 July 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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The Tourism Crisis Management Office (GGCT) is paying close attention to the earthquake that occurred today in Hokkaido, Japan, and maintaining close contact with the Macao travel industry for further developments. From information gathered through the Macao travel industry there is currently no Macao tour group in Hokkaido and until the present moment, there is no indication that Macao residents have been affected. Until the present moment, GGCT has not received any request for information or assistance. If necessary, Macao residents can call the 24-hour Tourism Hotline (853) 2833 3000.
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The Government will hold, on 24 and 25 June respectively, discussion sessions to hear public opinion regarding the proposal for Macao’s Five-Year Development Plan. Registration for the sessions will end on Friday (17 June). The Government is currently conducting a two-month long consultation – which runs until 30 June inclusive – on the proposal for the Five-Year Development Plan. The Plan suggests a blueprint for the city’s socio-economic development spanning the period from 2016 to 2020. The session on Friday, 24 June, will be held from 8pm to 10pm. The session on Saturday, 25 June, will run from 3pm to 5pm. Both sessions will be held at the Tourism Activities Centre, at Rua Luís Gonzaga Gomes No. 431, on Macao peninsula. People interested in contributing their opinion during one of the two sessions can register via either: the website of the Committee for Development of the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure (http://www.cccmtl.gov.mo/); or by telephone on +853 8987 1365; or by fax to +853 8987 1367; or in person at the Policy Research Office (during office hours) at Rua do Desporto, No.185-195, Taipa, Macao. All members of the public are welcome to contribute – before midnight on 30 June – their opinions on the proposal for the Five-Year Development Plan. They can do so via either: the website of the Committee for Development of the World Centre of Tourism and Leisure (http://www.cccmtl.gov.mo/); or by email to, message@gep.gov.mo; or by post to, Post Office Box No.1201; or by telephone on +853 2882 3610; or by fax to +853 2882 3426; or in person (by prior appointment only) to representatives of the Policy Research Office at Rua do Desporto, No.185-195, Taipa, Macao.
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Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on tissue papers, household cleansing products, and oral care products on 15 June for the implementation of Section 2b), Article 10, Law 4/95/M of 12 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, as well as on the Council’s WeChat account page. For inquiry, please call the Council’s hotline: 8988 9315.
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The Institute for Tourism Studies of Macao (IFT) hosted Tourism Education Student Summit ― Spring 2016 (TEd Summit) on 15 June 2016. This event was an opportunity for the Institute to showcase the best of its senior student researchers. Twenty students, after having completed an individual research-based investigation of the current state of affairs within the Macao tourism industry, were featured in this half-day event as they presented their research findings and responded to comments and questions from an expert panel, comprised of industry professionals and moderated by an IFT faculty member for each of the five concurrent sessions. Finally 5 students with the best papers were selected and were awarded scholarships(see below). * please findd the attached file The TEd Summit represents the first public event of its kind to celebrate and promote respect for the practical application of undergraduate research. It is the second time IFT has held this event. As a public higher education institution in Macao, IFT considers this element of it curriculum a flagship endeavor that will help to develop future managers. IFT is the only higher education institution in Macao that includes this individual research component as a graduation requirement for all its Bachelor of Science undergraduate candidates. Starting from the 2015/16 academic year, IFT’s Bachelor of Science daytime degree programmes have incorporated an individual capstone thesis/project, as a requirement, to ensure that its graduates have capacity, not only in practical operations but in analysing and understanding how to utilise currents trends in the industry. Altogether 282 students have successfully completed this research component in this academic year. Guiding students through a scientific process of investigation gives them essential managerial skills. This event was an opportunity for companies to view some of our best candidates as well as understand what the students have been able to discover through their investigations. The TEd Summit occur twice annually, with the Winter Summit occurring in January and the Spring Summit occurring in June, to coincide with our different cohorts of research candidates. Established in 1995, the Institute for Tourism Studies, Macao (IFT) offers the most extensive selection of tourism and hospitality related bachelor degree programmes in Macao, and about twenty thousand participants attend its vocational and professional training courses annually. IFT collaborates with 97 universities and tourism organisations around the world, and builds strong links with 500 leading tourism and hospitality corporations to offer internship opportunities to its students. Being the first institution accredited by the UNWTO.TedQual Certification System for tourism education, IFT has now 7 bachelor degree programmes with the Certification. Currently, the Institute has the most number of bachelor degree programmes certified under the System of any tertiary education establishment worldwide. IFT has received the Medal of Merit in Tourism from the Macao SAR Government, and won twice the Gold Award in ‘Education and Training’ from the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
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