To enhance the cultivation of gerontological care professionals in Macao and strengthen nursing academic exchange and cooperation between Guangdong and Macao, the opening ceremony and in-person teaching activities for the fourth session of the “Advanced Training Programme on Aged Care” – a joint Guangdong-Macao nursing backbone training initiative co-organised by Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) and the School of Nursing at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine – were solemnly held at the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine on 6 January 2026. This training programme represents a flagship initiative jointly developed by the two institutions, signifying the deepening of collaborative nursing development between Guangdong and Macao while injecting fresh momentum into the Greater Bay Area's healthcare sector.
 
President Van Iat Kio of KWNC reviewed the collaborative journey and project outcomes between the two institutions. In response to the national ‘Healthy China 2030’ planning outline, Macao's ‘1+4’ strategy for moderate economic diversification, and healthcare service demands within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, both institutions jointly launched the ‘Guangdong-Macao Joint Nursing Core Training Programme’ in early 2023. The “Advanced Training Programme on Aged Care”, as the core initiative, has successfully completed three cohorts, training a cumulative total of 90 participants. The programme's quality has garnered widespread acclaim within the sector. She highlighted that the college obtained accreditation from the Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) in 2021 and successfully renewed this accreditation in 2025. Currently, nine courses hold international recognition, with this training programme being one of them, demonstrating the programme's professional calibre and alignment with international standards.
 
In his address, Vice-Principal Guo Hong of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine highlighted the programme's distinguished faculty and its inaugural expansion beyond Guangzhou to other Pearl River Delta cities, underscoring its broad influence and industry recognition. He encouraged participants to seize this learning opportunity to enhance their professional capabilities and collectively build a nursing exchange bridge across the Greater Bay Area.
 
“The Advanced Training Programme on Aged Care”, tailored by KWNC to global healthcare trends and its own teaching expertise, covers dementia care, palliative care, nursing research, and evidence-based practice. Delivered through a blended online-offline format, it comprises 75 academic hours. Participants will also undertake field visits to Macao to gain first-hand experience of the distinctive features of Macao's nursing education and practice, thereby fostering the integration of theory and practice.