For the purpose of facilitating the academic exchange between mainland China and Macao, and learning the implementation progress of rehabilitation therapy after the WenChuan earthquake, Macao Polytechnic Institute (MPI) co-organised an exchange programme with Sichuan University (SCU) - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, to enhance students’ knowledge and techniques of medical rescue service. An MPI teacher and students of the Nursing and Speech-Language Therapy Programmes of the School of Health Sciences participated in this exchange programme. Inspired by such an exchange programme, MPI students are resolved to become outstanding medical professionals and thus contribute to the Macao Society.

SCU is one of the national key universities of the People's Republic of China. The Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, which is jointly founded with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, is an education institute specialised in disaster management. MPI participants attended lectures about disaster education, so as to study the rescue techniques of natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires, floods and windstorms, the physical examinations after disasters, the process and clinical features of psychological stress and the importance of psychological recovery. In addition, MPI participants visited the Simulation Laboratory of SCU, Sichuan Vocational College of Physical Education, Mianyang Central Hospital, etc., to observe therapy skills of exercises, mental health and chronic rehabilitation. MPI participants also learned various treatments of orthopedics and wound care in the West China Hospital, SCU. Besides, SCU arranged MPI participants to visit the Sichuan Disaster Prevention and Reduction Museum, the Dujiangyan Irrigation System and Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding.

The MPI teacher of the School of Health Sciences stated that this was a meaningful trip, providing opportunities for MPI students to understand the status and development of rehabilitation therapy in China. Student Lao of the Nursing Programme said that it was an eye-opening experience to observe a patient eating and standing under the assistance of training equipment, thus to activate blood circulation and prevent pressure sores. While visiting Sichuan Disaster Prevention and Reduction Museum, student Hui of the Speech-Language Therapy Programme felt shocked by the destructive forces of nature, and believed that the knowledge and techniques of disaster prevention learned from this exchange programme are very practical. Students thank MPI for organising such an exchange programme. Their awareness of rehabilitation therapy has been enhanced by every lecture and visit, and therefore has encouraged them to put more effort into studying their professions.