The graduation ceremony for the fourth “Guangdong–Macao Joint Nursing Backbone Talent Development Programme – Advanced Training Programme on Aged Care”, jointly organised by Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC) and Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, was held on 27 June 2026.

As a signature programme jointly developed by the two institutions, the training programme aims to deepen the cultivation of older adult care professionals in Guangdong and Macao, and to strengthen academic exchanges and cooperation in nursing between the two regions. Its successful completion marks a further step towards deeper collaboration in the coordinated development of nursing in Guangdong and Macao, while also providing strong support for the development of healthcare services in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area.

In her speech, President of KWNC, Van Iat Kio stated that Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau has enjoyed a long-standing and close cooperative relationship with Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine and its affiliated hospitals. To implement the national “Healthy China 2030” Planning Outline, support the Macao SAR Government’s “1+4” appropriate economic diversification strategy, and promote the development of healthcare services in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area, the two institutions jointly launched the “Guangdong–Macao Joint Nursing Backbone Talent Development Programme” in 2022. The Advanced Training Programme on Aged Care is the first certificate course under this initiative.

President Van noted that the programme has now been successfully held for four editions, training a total of 120 older adult care elites for the Greater Bay Area. She commended the participants of this cohort for demonstrating strong professional enthusiasm throughout the learning process, overcoming challenges, actively engaging in the programme, and contributing to a vibrant learning atmosphere with remarkable outcomes.

In his address, Vice President Guo Hong highly praised the achievements of the training programme. He said the curriculum is closely aligned with global trends in older adults’ health and care, focusing on industry frontiers and practical challenges. It covers core modules such as dementia care, hospice and palliative care, nursing research, and evidence-based practice. The programme adopts a model combining online theoretical teaching with offline study visits and exchanges in Macao, ensuring both theoretical depth and practical breadth.

He encouraged all participants to transform what they had learned, seen and reflected upon during the programme into practical applications in their clinical work, using their professional competence to empower the upgrading of elderly care services and promote the standardised and professional development of elderly nursing services in the Greater Bay Area.

The 30 participants of this cohort came from major Pearl River Delta cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan, Gaozhou and Zhuhai. All participants successfully completed the systematic training, with six outstanding participants receiving Certificates of Excellence.