The Portugal Specialist Nursing Exchange and Study Delegation, organised by Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macau (KWNC), departed for Portugal on 4 July. On 6 July, the delegation officially began a two-week clinical specialist exchange programme at Hospital da Luz, the largest private medical institution in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital. The delegation was led by Associate Professor Wang Sichen, Executive Officer of the Education Department; Assistant Professor Guo Yiqiang; and Leong Weng Si, Deputy Director of the Nursing Department of Kiang Wu Hospital. A total of 15 faculty members and students from the College’s doctoral, master’s and bachelor’s programmes in nursing took part. The activity was funded by the Education Fund of the Macao Special Administrative Region.

The exchange programme aimed to broaden the international horizons of faculty members and students in Macao’s higher nursing education sector, deepen their understanding of the healthcare system and professional nursing development in Portuguese-speaking countries, cultivate nursing professionals with international competitiveness and cross-cultural communication skills, and promote two-way exchange in professional knowledge, clinical skills and management concepts. Participants also looked forward to applying what they had learned and reflected upon to clinical practice in Macao, thereby further advancing the sustainable development of the local nursing profession.

During the exchange, faculty members and students were divided into groups to visit and observe various clinical specialties and management departments, including specialist nursing clinics, nursing management departments, intensive care medicine, adult emergency care, paediatric wards and paediatric intensive care units, oncology centres, obstetric wards, general surgical wards and operating theatres, hyperbaric oxygen medicine centres, and cardiovascular centres. Through clinical observation, professional seminars and case discussions, participants gained a comprehensive understanding of Portugal’s nursing service models and management philosophy. They also engaged in in-depth exchanges with local nursing teams on topics such as specialist nursing development, interprofessional collaboration and clinical practice.

During their visit to Portugal, the delegation paid a courtesy visit to the Macao Economic and Trade Office in Lisbon, where they exchanged views on Portuguese society and culture, Macao–Portugal cooperation, and talent development. In addition, the delegation was invited to attend the Reception in Celebration of the 99th Anniversary of the Founding of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army held on 10 July. There, they interacted with guests from various sectors of society in China and Portugal, further deepening their understanding of the fruitful achievements of China–Portugal friendship and people-to-people exchanges. Through participating in the event, faculty members and students not only gained a deeper appreciation of the glorious history and founding spirit of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, but also strongly felt the solidarity and cohesion of the Chinese community in Portugal, adding a valuable and unforgettable experience to the trip.