USJ Social Outreach
As a higher education institution, the University of Saint Joseph (USJ) plays an important role in shaping communities’ development. The USJ Social Outreach Programme is committed to working closely and developing these relationships with local and international institutions that are in line with good practices, and to collaborate with the wider society to address social needs, which includes environmental, economic, scientific, technological and political advancements, through the promotion of Prison Outreach Programme, Social Entrepreneurship, Inclusive Education, Financial Assistance (poverty and inequality alleviation), Health & Wellbeing, along with Partnerships & Collaborations.
USJ PRISON OUTREACH PROGRAMME
The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) Prison Outreach Programme offers incarcerated individuals the opportunity to further their education and improve employment opportunities post-release. The aims of the programme are to educate and inspire incarcerated individuals to achieve their academic and professional goals, prepare them for future social reintegration, and a better transition into communities.
SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP
USJ promotes entrepreneurship and innovation in the sustainability and social sectors by providing education and practical training, and engaging the academic community and the general public, in projects and activities with a positive social impact.
Activities Highlights:
- USJ support student union entrepreneurial project to promote Macao’s sustainability culture and creative industries
- “Aiming Higher in a Transforming World” Documentary Series
- Urban Thinkers Campus
- USJ Centre for Social and Legal Studies
- United Nations Day 75th anniversary
- DSES Exchange Activities about Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Macao and Guangdong
- 8th University Scholars Leadership Symposium at the United Nations Bangkok
- UN Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Congress
- USJ’s Internationalisation Week
- USJ Staff Development Workshops: Leadership in a Global Context
- “Macao Youth Entrepreneurship & Innovation Cultivation Seminar”
- Spirituality and Religion in Social Services
- Leadership and Management in NGOs
- The Localisation of Psychosocial Support Services in Hospitals in Mainland China
- USJ was awarded the “Award of Blood Drive Motivation” by Macau Blood Transfusion Centre
- The 16th APSSA International Conference 2018 in Malaysia
- Global Tourism Economic Forum 2019
- CESL Asia and Friends Sport Fun Day 2019
- CESL Asia and Friends Sports Fun Day 2020
- USJ joined the seminar of Judiciary Police to discuss improving the abilities of scam prevention for students
- USJ participated seminar held by Judiciary Police to discuss how to enhance the crime prevention education for students
- USJ representative attended crime prevention exchange meeting
- FSS Professor Gave Talk on School Bullying to Local High School Teachers
- 4th World Philanthropy Forum
INCLUSIVE EDUCATION
We believe that everyone deserves quality education equally. The USJ is actively promoting the development of research in inclusive education, linking research and educational practice, policy making, decision making and action. Furthermore, USJ is committed to the application of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Activities Highlights:
- FSSE students visit to Chu Kwong Center
- Visit to the Correctional Services Bureau
- USJ’s Outreach Programme (Prison Education Initiative)
- Bishop Domingos Lam Centre for Research in Education
- The 3rd Macau Abilympics Awards
- Blind Walk 2019
- Outreach Programme by Faculty of Social Sciences
- Caritas Macau and USJ co-hosted the 2019 Asia Pacific Accessible Art Festival
- USJ Academic Exchange Tour on Infant Education, Special Education and Inclusive Education in Taipei
- Prof. Carrie Ho delivered Keynote Speech at the International Conference on Aesthetics and Virtue in Early Childhood Education in Taiwan
- Prof. Edlia Simões, professor of Psychology, presented her research project findings to official schools of Macao
- Public Lecture: Practical Strategies for Inclusive Education 融合教育的實用策略
- Public Lecture: Inclusive Education in Portugal: the challenge to educate all with all
- Public Lecture: Teaching and supporting students with Down syndrome in inclusive classrooms
- Public Lecture: Sign Bilingualism and enrolment in Inclusive Education for the Deaf
- Public lecture: Assistive Technology to Support Learning Differences in the Classroom
- Public Lecture: Understanding the Gifted Ones
- Public Lecture: From Prevention to Solutions: Discipline with Dignity
- Public Lecture: Career and talent development of high ability students – The roles of parents and teachers
- Public Lecture: How do you look at me? Different looks at people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)
- Sign Language Song Workshops with “Macau Deaf Association”
- Conference – Inclusive Education Sports & Social Media
- Inclusive Education, Sports & Social Media Conference
- Visit to the School of Special Education, Normal College, Chengdu University
- Rehabilitation International Asia & Pacific Regional Conference
- GD-HK-Macao Inclusive Education Forum
- Sharing Session On The Needs of People Who Are Visually Impaired
- World Social Work Day 2015
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (Poverty and Inequality Alleviation)
As a Catholic university, USJ is imbued with certain values. The Catholic education values of solidarity, cooperation, and justice. These values act as a compass for the development of policies and procedures targeting both our academic community, such as scholarship, hardship and fellowship schemes for students with low-incomes, and the wider society, through activities promoting the access to basic services by economically underprivileged social groups.
Activities Highlights:
- USJ 2020/2021 Community Scholarships and Fellowships Award Ceremony
- USJ Hardship Fund
- USJ Scholarships and Fellowships
- Caritas Charity Bazaar 2020
- Caritas Charity Bazaar 2016
- USJ Scholarships and Fellowships
- World Vision Macau on Poverty Alleviation
- Walk for a Million 2017
- BOC Fun Run
HEALTH & WELLBEING
USJ aims to contribute to the health and well-being of the academic community and the wider society. With that aim several activities are carried out. We provide free counselling services to all members of USJ, as well as by a low fee, to the wider population. We conduct research on mental health issues in Macao, awareness events, and educational programmes opened to the public on Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Activities Highlights:
- 2021 World Social Work Day: “Macau Social Work under Pandemic”
- Head of the Department of Social Work of USJ helping professionals in the early months of the Pandemic
- USJ Blood Drive 2021
- Prof. Vitor Teixeira on “How long does time have? Children’s Time Use” Webinar
- “Challenge Station” promotes health on USJ Campus
- Macao Depression Screening
- Prof. Vitor Teixeira gave a talk in Macao Science Center about Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD
- Mental Health First Aid Course
- Mental Health First Aid Basic Training Course
- Mental Health First Aid Workshop
- 2017 World Social Work Day Activity
- 2018 World Social Work Day Activity
- 2019 World Social Work Day Activity
PARTNERSHIPS & COLLABORATIONS
USJ understands that its future and success depends on the development of a web of relationships with like-minded people and institutions throughout the world. Therefore, we collaborate with the government and several NGOs and business institutions in different collaboration projects. Below you can find more information about the organisations and collaboration projects
Activities Highlights:
- UNUMACAU – United Nations University Institute in Macau
- USJ shared experience on adopting the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals as a framework
- GEG Foundation
- Clean the World and Las Vegas Sands Corps.
- Caritas Macau
- ARTM – Association of Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers of Macau
- CURB – Center for Architecture and Urbanism
