USJ Prison Outreach Programme Empowers Incarcerated Individuals through Education – Certificate Award Ceremony for the Academic Year 2024/2025 held in the Coloane Prison
USJ Prison Outreach Programme Empowers Incarcerated Individuals through Education – Certificate Award Ceremony for the Academic Year 2024/2025 held in the Coloane Prison
14
Jul
14/07/2025
The Correctional Services Bureau held a graduation ceremony at Coloane Prison, summarising the learning achievements of 24 incarcerated individuals who completed their courses in the academic year 2024/2025 through the USJ Prison Outreach Programme.
Recently, the Correctional Services Bureau held a Certificate Award Ceremony for the 2024/2025 academic year at Coloane Prison, summarising the learning achievements of 24 incarcerated individuals who completed their courses in 2024/2025 through the University of Saint Joseph’s (USJ) Prison Outreach Programme.
The Rector, Professor Stephen Morgan, extended his heartfelt appreciation to our collaborators from the Correctional Services Bureau, Director of Coloane Prison of the Correctional Services Bureau, Mr. Lam Kam Sau and Acting Head of Social Assistance, Education and Training Division, Miss Mak Kam Sim and our two benevolent organisations, Francisco Xavier Choi Man Wai, President of the Sacred Garment Charity Association and Ms. Jolene Zhao, President of the International Ladies Club of Macau, and USJs teaching team to attend the closing ceremony.
The transformative power of USJ’s prison outreach programme has benefitted a total of 69 incarcerated individuals since inception. During the speech, Rector Morgan said “At USJ, we believe in the potential for growth and in second chances.”
At the ceremony, Rector Morgan, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences Prof. Jacky Ho, and Prison Outreach Programme Leader Prof. Helen Liu, awarded certificates to 19 inmates. In recognition of their unwavering dedication and academic excellence, the Director of Coloane Prison Lam Kam Sau, and the Head of the Social Assistance, Education and Training Division Ho Sio Mei, presented them with the Correctional Services Foundation Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement. Their dedication and achievements inspire us all to never give up and never stop learning! The ceremony served as a powerful catalyst, encouraging incarcerated individuals to persist in their educational pursuits and become beacons of hope within the prison community.
In addition, USJ provide a variety of resources to ensure that every student can obtain sufficient support with which they can pursue their dreams, studying in a higher education. Therefore, apart from deducting inmates’ tuition fees, USJ offers Community Scholarships for them, particularly for those who need the financial support. One of male inmates was awarded by Mr. Francisco Xavier Choi Man Wai while one of female inmates was awarded by Ms. Jolene Zhao.
As an institution in, of and for Macao, USJ takes its responsibility for the sustainable development and improvement of Macao society seriously. This programme is a key element in discharging its duty to the wider society of Macao. USJ’s Prison Outreach Programme offers those in prison the opportunity to further their education and improve employment opportunities post-release. The aims of the programme are to educate and inspire them to achieve their academic and professional goals, prepare them for future social reintegration, and a better transition back into the community.
The Rector expressed his vision for expanding the programme further, offering a more diverse subjects from other majors to facilitate continual self-improvement and seamless societal reintegration for the incarcerated population. He also called upon other philanthropic entities to join hands in supporting this transformative initiative whilst USJ is prepared to dig into its own pockets to provide scholarships and fellowships, the more donors we have, the more ex-prisoners we are able to help.
