CDEC and USJ Jointly OrganisedAcademic Conference for Leaders in Catholic Education and Roundtable for Hong Kong–MacauCatholic School Leaders
CDEC and USJ Jointly OrganisedAcademic Conference for Leaders in Catholic Education and Roundtable for Hong Kong–MacauCatholic School Leaders
26
May
26/05/2026
To mark the 450th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Macau, the Diocesan Catholic Education Commission (CDEC), in collaboration with the Teachers’ Professional Development Centre of the School of Education at USJ, organised a two-day series of academic events under the theme “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow of Catholic Education.”
To mark the 450th anniversary of the Catholic Diocese of Macau, the Diocesan Catholic Education Commission (CDEC), in collaboration with the Teachers’ Professional Development Centre of the School of Education at the University of Saint Joseph (USJ), organised a two-day series of academic events under the theme “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow of Catholic Education.” Held on 15 and 16 May at the Ilha Verde Campus of USJ, the Academic Conference for Leaders in Catholic Education and the Roundtable for Hong Kong–Macau Catholic School Leaders brought together scholars and Catholic school leaders from neighbouring regions. The events provided a platform to reflect on the educational mission of the Holy Church, while fostering exchange and collaboration through sharing developments in Catholic education and contemporary educational practices.
The initiation ceremony of the conference on 15 May was officiated by the Most Reverend D. Stephen Lee Bun Sang, Bishop of Macau. Distinguished guests in attendance included Ms Iun Pui Iun, Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ); Mr. Zhang Chuanwei, Division Rank Official of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macau SAR; Mr. Joseph Kung Kwong Pui, Episcopal Delegate for Education of the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong; Fr Joseph Chow Pak Fai, President of the Macau Catholic Schools Association (MCSA); Mr. Zheng Jiezhao, chairman of The Chinese Educators Association; Professor Marcus Im Sio Kei, Rector of Macao Polytechnic University (MPU); Mr. Hoi Kong Hong, President of Macau Association for the Promotion of Education Research; Dr. Kou Kam Fai, Member of the Legislative Assembly of Macau; Dr Alejandro Salcedo Garcia, Acting Rector of the University of Saint Joseph; Cón. João Evangelista Lau Him Sang, Procurator of the Catholic Diocese of Macau; Rev. Dr. Cyril Jerome Law, Jr., Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Macau; as well as representatives of the organising bodies, including Professor Isabel Tchiang Van Man, Dean of the School of Education at USJ, and Dr Stephen Chan Teng Fong, Director of the CDEC Office.
Guests illuminating signs that represent the Three Transcendental Virtues, the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and the “3V” core values of Catholic education in Macao, marking the official commencement of the two-day academic programme comprising the conference and round-table discussions)
In his welcome address, Bishop Stephen Lee noted that the 450th anniversary of the Diocese is an important milestone for reflection and renewal. He emphasised that while social values and the challenges faced by students continue to evolve, the foundation of Catholic education, rooted in Jesus Christ, remains unchanged. Addressing contemporary concerns regarding the development of artificial intelligence, Bishop Lee highlighted that, despite the transformation of teaching and learning models brought about by technological advancement, the core of education remains grounded in human relationships. He encouraged educators to remain committed to accompaniment and guidance, enabling students to grow in an environment of understanding and respect. This, he stressed, lies at the heart of the mission of Catholic schools in promoting core values education and in nurturing students’ character and virtues.
The Academic Conference for Leaders in Catholic Education featured keynote presentations by distinguished scholars, including President Lucia Lin Shih-Ling of Providence University, Professor Dai Guoqing of South China Normal University, Professor Teresa Vong Sou Kuan of the University of Macau, and Professor Thomas Tse Kwan Choi of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Their presentations addressed themes such as the faith foundations of Catholic education, cross-cultural textual traditions in Catechism, the contemporary identity of Catholic schools, and developments in local religious textbooks. The sessions also included interactive exchanges with participants.
The Roundtable for Hong Kong–Macau Catholic School Leaders, held on 16 May, brought together nine principals from Hong Kong and Macau to engage in in-depth discussion on five key educational themes.
Participating principals included the following representatives from Hong Kong: Principal Cheung Chok Fong (Yaumati Catholic Primary School), Principal Chan Lai Chu (St. Patrick’s Catholic Primary School-Po Kong Village Road), Principal Kwok Fu Wah (Pui Shing Catholic Secondary School), Principal Lau Yiu Hung (Kit Sam Lam Bing Yim Secondary School), and Principal Pang Yiu Kwan (Caritas Chong Yuet Ming Secondary School); as well as representatives from Macau: Principal Samuel Kio Su Iong (Colégio Diocesano de São José 6), representative of Escola São Paulo, Principal Irene Cheong Wai Ling (Colégio Mateus Ricci), Principal Candy Ng Sao Wai (Colégio de Santa Rosa de Lima – Secção Inglesa), and Sr Law Yuen Ming (Colégio do Sagrado Coração de Jesus).
During the roundtable, the participating principals shared their accumulated experience and insights on five key areas: the implementation of core values in Catholic education across the whole school; the dual-track development of religious education and formation in both formal and co-curricular contexts; the promotion of students’ holistic development; leadership succession and capacity building in school administration; and the transformation and pedagogical reform of Catholic schools in the age of artificial intelligence. The discussions were further enriched through interactive exchanges and concluding reflections. The roundtable aimed to draw upon the collective wisdom of Catholic school leaders in Hong Kong and Macau, translating practical experience into shared insight, and exploring new directions for the continued development of Catholic education.
After two days of enriching academic exchange, the event was brought to a fitting close with a closing Mass. The Mass was celebrated by Fr. Martin Yip Tai-Ho, SDB, with all present praying together for God’s blessing upon Catholic education in Hong Kong and Macao. Following the Mass, all participating delegates proceeded to the Chapel of the Holy Cross for a group photograph, bringing this academic event to a successful conclusion.
Source from https://macaucdec.org/events/269
