USJ Macao and UM host the “2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Inclusive Education Exchange Conference” promoting High-Quality Development of Inclusive Education
USJ Macao and UM host the “2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Inclusive Education Exchange Conference” promoting High-Quality Development of Inclusive Education
27
Jun
27/06/2025
The “2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Inclusive Education Exchange Conference”, jointly organised by the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Macao and the University of Macau (UM), under the guidance of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province, the Macau SAR Government’s Education and Youth Development Bureau, and the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Education Bureau, was held from 13-14 June.
The “2025 Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Inclusive Education Exchange Conference”, jointly organised by the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Macao and the University of Macau (UM) under the guidance of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province, the Macao SAR Government’s Education and Youth Development Bureau, and the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Education Bureau, was successfully held in Macao on 13 – 14 June.
With the theme “New Quality Empowerment: Integration and innovation”, the conference brought together over 400 experts, scholars, school principals, and frontline educators from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and various provinces across mainland China. The event served as a platform for professionals in inclusive education to exchange ideas, enhance expertise, and inject new productive forces into the cooperation and development of inclusive education.
The opening ceremony on 13 June was attended by Zhu Dongbin, Deputy Director of the Department of Basic Education of the Ministry of Education of the PRC; Li Boliang, Deputy Director of the Department of Education of Guangdong Province; Shi Shuzheng, Deputy Director of the Education and Youth Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Iun Pui Iun, Deputy Director of the Macao SAR Government’s Education and Youth Development Bureau; Sze Chun Fai, Under Secretary for Education of the Hong Kong SAR Government’s Education Bureau; Michael K. Hui, Vice-Rector of the University of Macau; and Stephen Morgan, Rector of the University of Saint Joseph.
Zhu Dongbin in his speech emphasized that inclusive education is key to advancing high-quality special education, ensuring educational equity and the rights of children with disabilities. Under the era of global digital transformation in education, he called for Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao to pool their expertise in exploring new pathways for high-quality inclusive education—focusing on human-centered approaches to empower educators and enhance innovations of inclusive education. He expressed hope for collaborative efforts to address key challenges and promote more inclusive, equitable, and human-centred education in the AI era. Li Boliang highlighted that special education is crucial for advancing educational equity and modernization of education, while inclusive education enhances students’ social adaptability. He stressed the importance of leveraging this platform to jointly promote fairer and higher-quality inclusive education. Iun Pui Iun discussed Macao’s efforts in cross-departmental collaboration with schools and social service agencies, emphasizing early intervention for children, learning support systems, and additional resources to strengthen school-family support networks. She underscored the need to create a conducive environment and support system for student development. Sze Chun Fai highlighted that technology is a driving force for educational innovation and expressed hope for continued exchanges among Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao to advance high-quality inclusive education.
The conference featured several keynote lectures: by Prof. Cao Shuqin from the Zhejiang Normal University on Autism Education in China. Additionally, Prof. Sze Tat Ming of the University of Macao), Prof. Chen Xiaomeng of the South China Normal University, Prof. Yuen Man-tak and and Dr. Zhang Jiahong of the University of Hong Kong delivered thematic presentations.
A series of lectures and discussions were held at the University of Saint Joseph on 14 June, where experts, scholars, and educators from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macao shared insights on three main themes: Differentiated Curricula and Learning Support, Inclusive Policies and Culture, and Technology and Support. Following the conference, attendees visited Escola Luso-Chinesa Técnico-Profissional, Pui Va Middle School, Colégio Diocesano de São José (5ª), and Escola Dom João Paulino to observe school-based practices and exchange experiences on successful inclusive education initiatives across different regions.
The conference was co-organized by the Special Education Professional Committee of the Guangdong Higher Education Association, the Special Education Professional Committee of the Guangdong Education Association, the Salvation Army Hong Kong and Macaou Territory, the Chinese Educators Association of Macau, Macau Higher Education Development Promotion Association, Macau Catholic Schools Association and Associação Educativa da Função Pública de Macau.
