We are greatly honored to invite Dr. Vivian Chan, founder of the Macao Qipao Society and president of the Jiangmen Overseas Chinese Women Association to share her practical experience and insights. The guest lecture titled “From Culture to Community: The Establishment, Operation, and Value Creation of Modern Women’s Associations”, for Year 2 students of the Hotel Management Programme (Chinese medium) in the Club Management course.
Dr. Chan began by explaining how the Qipao has evolved from personal clothing into an important cultural symbol that brings women together. She emphasized that in Macao—a city where Eastern and Western cultures blend—the Qipao not only represents traditional Chinese aesthetics but also serves as a cultural bridge connecting the past and the present as well as spreading Chinese culture to the world.
“A single Qipao carries five thousand years of Chinese civilization,” Dr. Chan said. She explained the main purpose of establishing the Macao Qipao Society in 2016 was to connect people, especially women in society and in support to Macao’s role as a “base for Chinese cultural exchange.” Over the past eight years, the club has stayed true to its mission of promoting Qipao culture and preserving Chinese aesthetics.
Meanwhile, Dr. Chan also introduced the Jiangmen Overseas Chinese Women Association, which was established in June 2024. She explained that this association operates differently from the Macao Qipao Society. While the Qipao Society has an international focus, the Jiangmen Association emphasizes “emotional connection and local engagement.” It helps overseas Chinese women through skills training, resource sharing, and others .
Both clubs have also done meaningful charity work. The Macau Qipao Society regularly donates money and helped people with special needs. The Jiangmen Overseas Chinese Women Association uses creative charity models to support members’ businesses .
Besides, Dr. Chan imparted about her work in the health and wellness industry. She led companies to explore new ways to combine traditional wellness with modern tourism, offering fresh ideas for the “tourism + wellness” industry.
As a successful enterpreneur and community leader, Dr. Chan shared her advice on balancing work and life. She supports the ideas of “focusing on what matters most” and “working as a team.” She stressed that instead of trying to do everything, it is better to concentrate on key goals. “True balance is about making choices and trusting others. Teamwork can help free up your time,” she said.
During the Q&A session, students asked many questions about cultural legacy and community management. One student said, “Dr. Chan’s lecture showed us how cultural traditions can adapt to modern times. This is very helpful for our future careers.”
