Co-organized by Macau Management Association (“MMA”) and Galaxy Entertainment Group (“GEG”), the “GEG Youth Achievement Program” assists young people in developing their skills and making personal discoveries. To celebrate the successful completion of the fifth “GEG Youth Achievement Program” and acknowledge the outstanding performance of the program participants, MMA and GEG held an award presentation at the Grand Ballroom of StarWorld Hotel today. In addition, the collaborators also took the opportunity to assert their commitment to cultivate local talents and assist Macau on enhancing its overall competitiveness by launching the sixth “GEG Youth Achievement Program”.

The ceremony was attended by many Guests of Honors, including: Mr. Chan Un Tong, Deputy Director of Labour Affairs Bureau; Mr. Lou Pak Sang, Deputy Director of Education and Youth Affairs Bureau; Mr. Hong Bo, Director of Department of Culture and Education, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Ms. Li Nan, Director General of Department of Public Diplomacy and Information Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Macao SAR; Ms. Hong Wai Man, Senior Officer of Tertiary Education Services Office; Mr. Chui Sai Cheong, President of MMA; Mr. Tommy Lau, Council Chairman of MMA; Mr. Paul Tse, Council Vice-Chairman and Honorary Secretary General of MMA; Mr. Alex Mok, Council Vice Chairman and Honorary Treasurer of MMA; Mr. Francis Lui, Vice Chairman of GEG; Mr. Philip Cheng, Director of GEG; and Ms. Eileen Lui, Group Director of Human Resources and Administration of GEG.

Mr. Tommy Lau, Council Chairman of MMA, said that as a non-profit association, MMA is committed to cultivating local talents. For the past several years, we have been working closely with GEG, who shares the same vision, in shouldering the responsibility of nurturing Macau’s young talents. Via our long-term partnership, we strive for excellence by continually improving and injecting new elements to the Program, which has gained a good reputation in Macau. Since its inception, the GEG Youth Achievement Program has attracted 1,800 participants who had completed a series of activities designed to facilitate their interaction with the community, enhance their care for the underprivileged, and develop their teamwork and leadership skills through learning and sharing.

Mr. Philip Cheng, Director of GEG, said that young people are the future pillars of society and that GEG is committed to developing young people’s all-round talents. Not only does the Program provide participants with the skills needed to establish and carry out their plans, the Program also focuses on assisting young people with their mental and emotional development. The six members of the champion group from last year’s YAP final project were invited to serve as ambassadors in this year’s Program. Through experience sharing, the ambassadors helped participants overcome their difficulties during the project execution phase and assisted teams in achieving their goals through communication and teamwork.

With the theme on “caring for the community”, the fifth “GEG Youth Achievement Program” received 295 applicants. Through a series of activities including training camps, workshops, community service challenge day and community canteen, participants were encouraged to identify the needs of society and uncover their personal strengths. Among the 295 participants, 76 of them were selected to enter the final project. After an intense competition, the group “Creation”, formed by So Wai Chung, Tong Wai Hou, Lam Ka Wa, Chao Man Cheong, Hou Im Hong and Pun Man Leng, took home the champion award with their outstanding performance. The winning group received a certificate, a trophy and a six-day study tour in Brunei where they experienced the local culture, explored the National Park and historical landmarks. In addition, the winners also visited a local charity and communicated with local underprivileged. Apart from the champion group, MMA and GEG also handed out several awards, including “Workshop Outstanding Performance Award”, “Community Care of Macau Introspection Award”, “Community Contribution Award” and “Top 5 Outstanding Award” to motivate young people to further establish their potential, engage in community services and advocate social harmony.

The 2016 – 2017 “GEG Youth Achievement Program” was also launched during the event. Ms. Violet Ng, Training Manager of MMA, provided an outline of the Program, which focuses on career development. Application by Macau youths, aged between 18 through 29 will be accepted from today until October 31. MMA and GEG hopes to help young people create a more solid foundation for their future career by having them construct and realize their innovative ideas via the Program.