Macau Millennium College (“MMC” or the “College”) has recently achieved two important breakthroughs in the fields of language services and education for older adults, further expanding its platforms for social service. It has been approved to join the National Language Service Corps of China, established under the leadership of the National Language Commission. Meanwhile, MMC Silver Age Academy has been formally admitted to the International Association of Universities of the Third Age (“IAUTA”). These two achievements, recognised respectively by a national professional platform and an international professional body, fully demonstrate the positive results MMC has achieved in continuously broadening its social service platforms and deepening its distinctive “Digital Intelligence+” approach to education.

Following a vote conducted by correspondence, the Council of the National Language Service Corps of China formally approved the admission of 17 institutions, including MMC. This is the first time that MMC has become a member of this national-level professional organisation. It signifies national recognition of the College’s professional strengths in the interdisciplinary fields of language services, digital technology and public safety, and provides an important platform for MMC to participate more deeply in China’s emergency response system and contribute to the national initiatives of Peaceful China and Digital Chinese. 

As a higher education institution in Macao distinguished by its “Digital Intelligence+”, MMC has in recent years taken an active part in emergency language service practice. In 2025, the College’s Institute of International Language Services Studies responded swiftly to the multilingual communication needs arising in sudden disasters such as earthquakes and successfully developed the Multilingual Intelligent Language Service Platform for Earthquake Relief. The platform effectively supported frontline rescue efforts by facilitating the delivery of information and offering emotional support to those affected. This achievement attracted considerable attention from the National Language Service Corps of China and became an important basis for the College’s admission.

At the same time, MMC Silver Age Academy has been formally admitted to IAUTA, an international organisation with a history of more than fifty years, becoming the first institution in Macao for older adult education to receive recognition from this authoritative international body. This is not only a strong endorsement of the Academy’s educational philosophy, programme quality and social contribution, but will also bring it access to richer international resources, broader academic exchange platforms and new opportunities for collaboration.

IAUTA, as a global non-profit organisation, has long been committed to promoting and coordinating the development and cooperation among Universities of the Third Age worldwide. It advances a model of later-life education centred on autonomy and mutual support, with a network spanning more than 40 countries and regions. Since its establishment, MMC Silver Age Academy has remained rooted in the needs of Macao society and has continued to promote the deep integration of older adult education with digital empowerment. It has already launched a series of distinctive local initiatives. These include digital skills courses closely aligned with contemporary developments, such as the AI Digital Art and Design Course for Older Adults and Digital Art for Older Adults: Mobile Creation Course, which have attracted enthusiastic participation from learners with an average age of over 70. The Academy has also helped bring the ERNIE Bot Series: Introductory Artificial Intelligence Course for Older Adults into the Government’s Continuing Education Development Plan, where it has received wide praise from learners and a positive response from the wider community.

These two achievements, recognised respectively by national and international professional platforms, not only reflect MMC’s distinctive educational strengths and practical capabilities, but also point to the College’s latest progress in expanding its social service platforms, supporting Macao’s development and responding to the needs of the times.