The “Outstanding Contracted Docent Award Ceremony 2012”, hosted by the Macao Museum, was held last Friday (December 14) to recognize well-performing contracted docents for their quality service to the public this year, encouraging them for their excellent long-term contribution to the general public and school education.

Speaking at the ceremony, Chan Ieng Hin, Director of the Macao Museum, said in his speech, “Macao Museum has trained over 100 docents since its first training program in 2005, and this year is the 8th of the training already. Having served 3,551 participants in 2005, the number of participants has been increasing gradually year by year. The services provided have been expanding, from public relation guided tour services, to those customized for schools and communities, to on-site guided tour services etc. The coverage has even been enlarged to cover the guided tour services to the Mandarin House.” From January to November this year, the number of visitors using guided tour services has reached 15,888, which has already exceeded the total of last year. Top government officials both at home and abroad, students, residents and visitors who have been entertained demonstrated their appreciation to the docents. The guided tour services have made a great contribution to improve Macao residents’ and visitors’ knowledge of history and culture in Macao, as well as manifest the special characteristics of integration of Chinese and Western cultures in Macao. Until November this year, the number of guided tour services has increased 10% compared with last year. The figure tells not only the public’s great concern on the Museum, but also the successful achievements that the Museum made on promoting quality guided tour service and improving docents’ guiding skills.

Ung Vai Meng, the President of Cultural Affairs Bureau, came and encouraged the docents. Filled with passion and enthusiasm, he highly appreciated docents’ dedication to social services which was significant of enhancing Macao’s cultural image. Docents were improving themselves during social services and they are expected to keep on their spirit. Ung Vai Meng gave the awards to docents after his speech. Special award of this year, “Long Term Docent Award 2012” was granted to volunteers, Wong Cheng Lai and Lau Si Weng, who have served over 5 years.

“Outstanding Contracted Docent Award 2012” was granted to Lei Cecilia Sam I, Wong Siu Wai, Hou Kaina, Ip Chi Kin, Fong Chi Wan, Fong Un Wa, Chan Sok Yi, Lei I Seong, while three received the “Enthusiastic Contracted Docent Award 2012”, including Wong Cheng Lai, Chan Teng Teng and Lau Sin U. “Contracted Docent Award 2012” was granted to Hou Kaina, Chan Sok Yi, Lei I Seong, Lei Cecilia Sam I, Ip Chi Kin, Fong Chi Wan, Wong Siu Wai, Fong Un Wa, Chio Ieng Soi, Vai Oi Leng, Ieong Un U, Kou Iun Fong, Cheong Mei Iong, Ieong Wai In, Lei Kit Peng. “Docents of the Mandarin House Certificates” were granted to 20 docents on the same occasion.

The video clips and photos recorded during the guided tours and Zhaoqing trip this year were especially showed to the attendants and some awardees were invited to share their experiences on tour guiding. There were also party and lucky draw, creating a nice and friendly atmosphere for the activity. Agreed to gather next year, everyone was impressed by the joy of the guided tour services and rewards.