News

Yesterday (18 June) the University of Macau (UM) held its Congregation 2012, which was attended by nearly a thousand graduates. Dr. Chui Sai On, chief executive of Macao SAR and chancellor of UM, said at the congregation that the Macao SAR government will continue to increase input in higher education and provide support to UM, so it can develop teaching and research systems up to international standards according to its unique strengths and nurture more outstanding graduates for the local community. UM Rector Wei Zhao said that UM members will use the advantage given by the new campus to significantly improve the university and win at the new starting line. The congregation took place at the Macau Forum. Chui Sai On officiated at the congregation in the company of Dr. Tse Chi Wai, chair of UM's University Council; Prof. Wei Zhao, rector of UM; and Prof. Simon Ho, Prof. Rui Martins and Dr. Alex Lai, vice rectors of UM. More than two thousand people, including members of UM's University Assembly and University Council, government officials, donors, scholarship sponsors, representatives from the education sector, community leaders, parents and UM staff, attended the congregation to witness the special moment and offer their best wishes to the students. In his speech, Dr. Chui stressed that the SAR government will earnestly implement the policy of "making Macao stronger and more prosperous through education" and will follow the "people-centred" principle in its public administration. He said the SAR government will constantly improve the act on higher education system in order to increase the overall competitiveness of higher education institutions and support the sustainable socio-economic development of Macao. Chui added that the government will do its best to ensure the construction of the new campus is completed on schedule and with good quality so as to elevate UM to a new height in both "hardware" and "software" respects. He pledged continued government support for UM in its development of a quality faculty team and in its implementation of the new "4-in-1" pedagogical model. He reiterated that the SAR government will implement and improve relevant policies to create more favourable conditions for local residents to receive higher education and pursue lifelong learning, thereby increasing the quality of the workforce. He noted that as a comprehensive university, UM should make an effort to contribute to the realization of this goal. In closing, he said that the SAR government will continue to ensure autonomy in higher education, enhance modern management of higher education, and study experience of other countries and regions, in order to establish an evaluation mechanism up to international standards and suited to the unique situation of each university, to help higher education in Macao scale new heights. In his speech, UM Rector Wei Zhao noted that UM has entered a stage where it is experiencing a quantum leap in all areas. Wei Zhao pointed out that numbers of undergraduates and postgraduates increased 20 percent and 84.3 percent respectively from 2006, and published papers by UM academics and citation frequency of papers published in top journals increased 100 percent over the past three years. He mentioned that UM has obtained approval from the Ministry of Science and Technology for the establishment of two state key laboratories, the first of their kind in Macao. He said that UM has stepped up efforts to develop new signature disciplines, while at the same time strengthening the existing characteristic disciplines of each faculty, resulting in some disciplines such as Chinese medicine, microelectronics, and Internet of Things, ranking among the top in Asia. He added that with the completion of the new campus at the end of this year, UM will have a much better environment for teaching and research. In closing, Rector Wei Zhao promised on behalf of all UM members to use the advantage given by the new campus to significantly improve the university so it can win at the new starting line. Student representative Law Chun Ieng from the Faculty of Business Administration, who is among the first graduates of the Honours College (HC), expressed thanks on behalf of all graduates to the teachers for steering the students into the port of knowledge like pilot birds and for teaching them the art of critical thinking like, as well as to all the other staff for arranging various activities and trainings and providing convenient facilities to create a harmonious learning environment for the students. UM graduated more than 1,100 students this year, from the Faculty of Business Administration, Faculty of Education, Faculty of Law, Faculty of Science and Technology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, and the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences. The first group of HC graduates also received certificates at the congregation. During the congregation all graduates sang the UM Anthem, which was performed for the first time by UM Choir, UM Symphonic Band and UM String Orchestra.
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Consumer Council released its latest specific price survey on seasonings. Survey result shows that prices of the 13 surveyed brands are similar to those recorded in April. Relevant data has been uploaded to the 'Specific Product Price Information Platform' on the Council's website. Consumer Council conducted a price check on 13 brands of seasonings from 20 retail outlets on 13th June. Survey result shows that general price differences of around 20 to 30 percent were recorded in most surveyed items. 'Tai Yang Hua Brand Table Salt (1lb)' recorded a price difference of 60 percent; 'Taikoo Granulated Sugar (2lb)', which was sold at $10.90 to $17.00, had a price difference of around 56 percent. Consumer Council indicates that selling prices of the same product are found to vary significantly in different retail outlets. Consumers are advised to check with the data provided by the Council on its website (www.consumer.gov.mo). The Council is also planning to include its specific price surveys data to its 'Supermarket price platform' iPhone and Android apps in the near future.
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The Monetary Authority of Macao announced today that the preliminary estimate of Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves amounted to MOP131.2 billion (USD16.41 billion) at the end of May 2012. The reserves rose by 0.7% or MOP0.9 billion from the revised value of MOP130.3 billion (USD16.31 billion) for the previous month. Macao SAR's foreign exchange reserves at end-May 2012 represented 20 times the currency in circulation or 160.6% of Pataca M2 at end-April 2012. The trade-weighted effective exchange rate index for the pataca, a gauge of the domestic currency's exchange rates against the currencies of Macao's major trading partners, rose by 0.52 points month-to-month and 1.69 points year-on-year to 88.72 in May 2012.
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Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) participates in the 26th Hong Kong International Travel Expo (ITE) to promote leisure and business tourism of Macau. MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes led the MGTO delegation and trade partners to join the opening ceremony of the Expo today. The 26th Hong Kong International Travel Expo takes place in Hong Kong from 14th to 17th June. Officiating the Opening this morning were Shao Qiwei, Chairman of China National Tourism Administration and the Financial Secretary of the Government of HKSAR, John Tsang Chun-wah. MGTO being one of the supporting organizations participates in the Expo together with Macao Economic Services, Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute, and 41 Macau trade representatives from hotels, travel agents, ferry companies and DMCs to showcase the latest tourism products to international exhibitors, trade buyers and public visitors. MGTO also hosted an in-booth cocktail reception today to greet over 200 Hong Kong travel trade partners, MICE organizers and media friends. This year, MGTO employs "Touching Moments Experience Macau" as the promotional theme as well as the booth design. The traditional Portuguese style building of the booth represents the blended culture of the East and the West spanning over 400 years. Through the tunnel with light trimming effect at the frontage, audience can experience the "Enchanting", "Fascinating", "Surprising" and "Tasteful" moments of Macau. At the centre of the booth, the iconic heritage site of Macau - the Ruin's of St Paul's – stands on top of a lotus pond, which signifies the rich cultural ambience of Macau. To strengthen the attractiveness and interaction with visitors, MGTO launched the first-ever KINECT e-book application at the Expo. By body gestures, participants can read the latest attractions and photos of Macau without using a controller. Tablets are also available for browsing Macau tourism information and the "Touching Moments Experience Macau" Facebook fan page. In addition, on 16th and 17th June, MGTO representatives in Hong Kong will organize 2 travel seminars titled "Touching Moments Experience Macau" to introduce the sightseeing options and the "Touching Moments-Bliss in Macau" campaign. Souvenirs and Macau travel guidebooks will also be distributed on site. In recent years, pre-show activities are organized before the ITE. On 13th June this year, international buyers from Mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Philippines, Czech Republic and India participated in the "Experience Macau!" familiarization tour organized by MGTO. They visited the world heritages and various tourist spots, as well as new hotels and business tourism facilities in Macau, to understand the city's potential as a quality destination for leisure and business tourism. MGTO treasures every opportunity to diversify source market and introduce the latest tourism offerings, in the effort to develop diversified tourism products and to build Macau as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure. The 26th Hong Kong International Travel Expo is an annual prime travel exhibition in Hong Kong, attracting over 650 exhibitors from 55 countries and regions this year. It serves as a crucial platform for international travel industry partners to exchange and develop business opportunities.
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Information from the Statistics and Census Service (DSEC) indicated that visitor arrivals in package tours increased by 28.0% year-on-year to 695,762 in April 2012. Visitors from Mainland China (491,337) went up by 20.3%, with 170,164 coming from Guangdong Province; besides, those from Taiwan, China (53,774); Hong Kong (41,672); and the Republic of Korea (23,247) soared by 95.6%, 68.6% and 25.3% respectively. In the first four months of 2012, visitors in package tours totalled 2,746,238, up by 40.7% year-on-year to account for 29.5% of the total visitor arrivals, higher than the 22.3% in the same period of 2011. In view of the Ching Ming Festival and the long Easter holidays, outbound residents in package tours surged by 64.6% year-on-year to 30,647 in April 2012. The most popular tour itineraries were Mainland China (81.7% of total); the Republic of Korea (5.0%); and Taiwan, China (4.1%), with 17,502 travelling to Guangdong Province. In the first four months of 2012, residents travelling in package tours totalled 104,225, up by 41.6% year-on-year. Meanwhile, outbound residents travelling under own arrangements using services of travel agencies increased by 25.8% year-on-year to 58,214 in April 2012; the main destinations were Mainland China (47.1% of total); Hong Kong (23.3%); and Taiwan, China (16.3%). In the first four months of 2012, those travelling under such arrangements surged by 56.9% year-on-year to 271,120. Attributable to the opening of new hotels, number of available guest rooms of the 97 hotels and guest-houses totalled 24,211 at the end of April 2012, an increase of 4,063 rooms (+20.2%) year-on-year, with those of the 5-star hotels accounting for 61.3% of the total. Hotels and guest-houses received 767,679 guests in April 2012, an increase of 13.6% year-on-year; the average length of stay decreased by 0.08 night to 1.4 nights. The average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses stood at 82.0%, down by 2.5 percentage points year-on-year; average occupancy rate of the hotels was 82.5%, with 5-star hotels leading at 83.1%. Number of guests increased by 13.6% year-on-year to 2,948,365 in the first four months of 2012; average occupancy rate of hotels and guest-houses stood at 82.9%, up by 1.0 percentage point year-on-year. From January to April 2012, visitor-guests accounted for 64.0% of the total number of overnight visitors, higher than the 61.0% in the same period of 2011.
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To promote Macau's rich cultures and attract more visitors from Europe, Macau Government Tourist Office led a team of lion and dragon dancers and martial art performers to take part in the Volvo Ocean Race and Lisbon's most popular event - the Popular Street Marching Parades. MGTO was one of the port partners of the Lisbon leg in the Volvo Ocean Race, the biggest maritime adventure of modern times and the most complex competition of circumnavigation. Lisbon was one of the stopovers among various legs and the boat fleet departed again from Lisbon on June 10th to Lorient (France), the next-to-last stopover of this nautical adventure. The participation of Macau was highlighted with a stand in the exhibition area, which allowed its visitors to learn about what Macau has to offer as a popular tourist destination and its UNESCO listed World Heritage. Macau also joined various exhibitions held on June 9th and 10th to promote Macau, with the performance by Dragon and Lion Dance and Martial Arts Group from Macau. Macau also marked its presence in one of the most popular events of the Lisbon Festivities 2012, the Popular Street Marching Parades, which once again made its way down Avenida da Liberdade (central avenue in Lisbon), bringing colour, music, arches, balloons and lots of entertainment. Commemorating its 80th anniversary, the Popular Street Marching Parades kicked off at 9pm on June 12th, the Saint Anthony's night. 22 typical Lisbon communities took part in this iconic event of Lisbon's popular culture, with the special participation of the Dragon and Lion Dance and Martial Arts Group of the Macau Lo Liang Athletic Association showcasing Macau's culture to wow the crowds.
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The Chief Executive, Mr Chui Sai On, today met with the Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR, Mr John Tsang Chun-wah, who was in Macao for the Fifth Hong Kong-Macao Co-operation Meeting. At the meeting at Government Headquarters, Mr Chui welcomed Mr Tsang and said he believed that the two SARs could further enhance their partnership in various areas. Mr Chui introduced Macao's recent efforts in regional co-operation, especially its work with Guangdong Province on projects in Hengqin and Nansha. Mr Tsang said, after having visited the Institute of Tourism and learnt more about Macao's tourism industry, that he believed Hong Kong and Macao could further boost their co-operation in tourism. The Fifth Hong Kong-Macao Co-operation Meeting was co-hosted by the Secretary for Economy and Finance, Mr Tam Pak Yuen, and Mr Tsang. They were joined by senior officials from areas of regional co-operation, environmental protection and finance. Mr Tam said since the last meeting both sides had made solid progress in their co-operation in 18 areas, in particular finance, tax, environmental protection, tourism and judicial assistance. They also extended exchanges in cross-jurisdiction infrastructure, civil servants training, immigration and emigration, public health, food safety, culture, sports and intellectual property rights. Mr Tam said he wished both sides could strengthen co-operation in tourism, convention, Chinese medicine, education and creative industries in the future as development in these areas would help the diversification of Macao's industrial portfolio.
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Consumer Council conducted a price check on 12 brands of tissue papers from 24 supermarkets and drugstores on 6th June. Survey result shows that 10 brands recorded price differences of around 10 to 20 percent in different retail outlets. 'Andrex Bathroom Tissue (3 ply) (10pcs)' was sold at $36.60 to $50.00, which differed for $13.00. 'Aus & New 3ply Bathroom Tissue (180gx10pcs) also recorded a price difference of around $9.00 in different retail spots. The Council reminds consumers that surveyed brands sometimes differ due to additional gift and package change, for example, 10-roll tissue papers are sometimes sold with '2 free rolls' as 12-roll package. Consumers are reminded to check the remarks on the survey and make practical price comparisons. The Council also conducted another price check on 7 brands of oral care products from 30 retail outlets on 7th June. Survey result shows that a general price difference of 70 to 80 percent exist in many of the surveyed brands. The most significant price difference was recorded in 'Oral-B Tooth and Gum Care (100ml)', which was sold at $10.90 to $20.0; 'Colgate - Plax Complete Care Mouthwash (500ml)' were sold at $28.00 to $50.00, with a price difference of 78.5 percent. Consumer Council indicates that selling prices of the same product are found to vary in different retail outlets. Consumers are advised to check with the data provided by the Council. The two mentioned specific price surveys on tissue papers and oral care products are now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). For enquiry, please call 8988 9315.
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Owing to the flooding in Victoria of Australia, Macao Post announced that mail delivery services (including Correspondence, Printed Matters, Small Packet, Parcel and EMS) from Macao to Victoria, particularly the areas with postal codes as below are subject to delay until further notice. Postal Code
Victoria:
3875, 3953, 3844, 3854, 3856, 3840, 3858, 3860, 3971, 3847, 3862 and 3851 Thank you for your kind attention.
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"2012 Science Express Camp – A Kickoff of Biomedical Engineering", organized by Macau Society of Biomedical Engineering and IEEE-EMB Hong Kong - Macau Joint Chapter, co-organized by Biomedical Engineering Laboratory of University of Macau and Communications Museum, wraps up this year's series of summer activities. Its objective is to inform students on the development and prospects of Biomedical Engineering in order to broaden their visions of what may prove beneficial to their future studies. The summer camp is targeted to students promoting to Form 4 or above. Grasp this great opportunity and come to register. * please fine the attached file.
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