In order to enhance the professionalism of Macao's healthcare professionals in the field of healthcare management and perioperative care, the Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) has launched the ‘Healthcare Management and Leadership Course II (Excellence in Management and Leadership)’ and the ‘Advanced Perioperative Care for Surgical and Interventional Procedures’ courses in March 2025, with the commencement ceremony cum ‘Smart Healthcare Organisations’ seminar being held at the Islands District Medical Complex Campus on 8 March.
 
The event attracted experts and scholars in the healthcare field from the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Many healthcare practitioners and educators gathered together to witness the launch of the new programme and discuss the development trend of smart healthcare.
 
The event kicked off with the Opening Ceremony, which was attended by representatives from Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in Macao, the Education and Youth Development Bureau, the Health Bureau, the Social Welfare Bureau, as well as the Hospital of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Union Hospital, the Alumni Association from KWNC, the Qianhai Taikang Hospital, Zhuhai People's Hospital, Kiang Wu Hospital and Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau.
 
Executive Officer of Nursing & Health Study Centre, Lei Wai In, emphasised in her speech that the College is committed to improving the standard of local healthcare through education, and that the two courses offered this time are in line with the needs of the industry and have a large number of participants. Ung Pui Kun, Director of Kiang Wu Hospital, then spoke, noting that the enhancement of healthcare management and nursing skills is the cornerstone of quality healthcare services, and pinned high hopes on the future performance of the trainees. Professor Fung Hong shared his views on the development of smart healthcare from the perspective of the Greater Bay Area and encouraged the trainees to seize the opportunities of the times. Cheong Kuan Iao, in her capacity as an alumnae of the College, sent a message to the students, stressing the importance of lifelong learning for professional advancement.
The ceremony reached its climax with the lighting of the lamp by the officiating guests, signifying the official launch of the new programme and the exploration of smart healthcare.
 
The talk on ‘Smart Healthcare Organisations’, which followed the Opening Ceremony, was delivered by Professor Fung Hong, who explained the core concepts of smart healthcare and how artificial intelligence, big data and the Internet of Things can enhance healthcare efficiency, optimise resources and improve patient experience. Taking The Chinese University of Hong Kong Hospital as an example, he demonstrated the application of smart healthcare in accurate diagnosis and efficient operation, which won wide recognition from the participants.
 
The roundtable, chaired by Cheong Kuan Iao and Leung Shui Kei, then invited Professor Fung Hong, Director Ung Pui Kun, President Van Iat Kio and Assistant Dean Shek Lan-ping to start the dialogue. The experts focused on the development strategies and challenges of smart healthcare. Director Ung emphasised that Macao should take into account the local characteristics to promote smart transformation; President Van pointed out the key role of education in nurturing smart healthcare talents; and Assistant Dean Shek shared the innovative practices in Shenzhen, which provide inspiration for Macao. During the discussion, experts unanimously agreed that smart healthcare needs to overcome the barriers of technology, funding and talent training, and called for deeper co-operation among Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao to achieve complementary resources and synergistic development.
 
KWNC has launched two new programmes with unique design to meet the different needs of the healthcare industry. The ‘Healthcare Management and Leadership Course II (Excellence in Management and Leadership)’ aims to develop managers who are capable of assuming important roles in complex healthcare environments. The programme covers good management practices, adverse event response and high-performance leadership development, and helps trainees to lead their teams to achieve excellence in service delivery and promote the sustainable development of their organisations by strengthening their self-awareness and team motivational skills.
The ‘Advanced Perioperative Care for Surgical and Interventional Procedures’ focuses on the professional enhancement of frontline nursing staff. The programme is taught by senior experts from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, who combine their rich clinical experience to help trainees master the core skills and improve the quality and safety of nursing care.
The programme also established a platform for exchange with colleagues in the Greater Bay Area to promote professional growth and regional co-operation.