To celebrate “International Nurses Day” on May 12, promote the spirit of nursing, and carry forward the legacy of the profession, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) held a grand pinning and cap conferment ceremony on the morning of May 8, 2026. The event aimed to promote the deep integration of nursing education with national development strategies, guide students to strengthen their sense of mission and responsibility, and cultivate a new generation of nursing professionals who possess both professional competence and a strong sense of social responsibility.

In her address, KWNC President Van Iat Kio stated that the 15th Five-Year Plan fully reflects the nation’s high regard for the younger generation. She shared three expectations with the nursing students: first, to have a sense of national pride and integrate personal growth into the broader context of national development; second, to excel in their profession and respond to new trends in healthcare development with innovative thinking; and third, to care for society, serving the public and giving back to society with compassion. Drawing on the theme of International Nurses Day 2026, she emphasized that nursing is not merely the practice of clinical skills, but a deep integration of scientific rigor and humanistic care. She stated that nurses are not merely auxiliary roles within the healthcare system, but rather a vital force in safeguarding life and promoting health. She expressed her hope that all nursing students would continue to empower themselves, enhance their professional judgment and compassionate care, and shoulder the responsibility of advancing the healthcare sector in this era.

During the student sharing session, third-year student Lan Yuanhong and fourth-year student Zhuang Yulin shared their profound insights gained from classroom learning and clinical internships. They noted that with the rapid advancement of medical technology and artificial intelligence, the nursing profession is evolving toward greater autonomy and professional judgment. Nurses are no longer merely executors of medical orders but indispensable decision-makers within the healthcare team. The two students also emphasized that no matter how rapidly technology evolves, the core value of nursing remains people-centered care and companionship, embodied in every instance of sincere communication and attentive care provided to patients.

As an important annual tradition of the college, the pinning and cap conferment ceremony holds profound significance for nursing students, carrying the vital mission of passing on the torch of professional spirit. During the ceremony, senior nursing experts and educators placed pure white nursing caps on the third-year nursing students and presented them with candles symbolizing the spirit of Florence Nightingale. This gesture signifies the passing on of the responsibilities and honors of the nursing profession, inspiring students to embrace the challenges of clinical training with unwavering professionalism.