EdUHK Holds 30th Anniversary Education Summit Engages in In-depth Educational Collaboration with Over 40 Educational Organisations
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held the “EdUHK 30th Anniversary Education Summit cum Collaborative Agreement Signing Ceremony” on 23 November 2024. The event aimed to discuss the future of education in Hong Kong. During the ceremony, EdUHK signed a collaborative agreement with 14 local school sponsoring bodies (SSBs) that were existing partners, while also welcoming 14 SSBs and 13 school councils and school principals' associations as new partners. This agreement seeks to deepen collaboration and promote partnerships within the Hong Kong education sector, symbolising our commitment to working together to cultivate quality teachers for the future development of education in Hong Kong.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dr David Wong Yau-kar, Council Chairman of EdUHK and Chairman of the Education Commission; Ms Michelle Li Mei-sheung, Permanent Secretary for Education of EDB; and Dr He Jinhui, Division Director of the Education, Science and Technology Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR. Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President of EdUHK, represented the University in signing the agreements. The representatives from the partner organisations who attended the signing ceremony included (listed in alphabetical order by organisation names):
Partners Renewing the Collaborative Agreement:
• Dr Wu Kam-yuen, Minister of Education, Caritas Hong Kong
• Mr Joseph Kung Kwong-pui, Episcopal Delegate for Education, Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong
• Mr Philip Poon Chin-chung, Chairman, Hong Chi Association
• Mr Peter Kwok Chi-kay, Director of Education Services, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui
• Mr Samuel Chui, Head of Education Department, Kowloon Tong Church of the Chinese Christian& Missionary Alliance
• Mr Lau Chi-chung, Principal Education Secretary (Primary & Special Education), Po Leung Kuk
• Rev Jackson Yeung Yau-chi, Bishop, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong
• Ven Ti Lun, Man, Managing Director of The Hong Kong Buddhist Association
• Professor Daisy Shum Kwok-yan, Chairperson of Education Services Department, The Hong Kong Council of the Church of Christ in China
• Mr Lam Kwong Fai, representative of Education Service Department, The Hong Kong Taoist Association
• Rev Yu Yan-ming, Head of the School Education Division, The Methodist Church, Hong Kong
• Colonels Philip Maxwell, Territorial Commander, The Salvation Army
• Ms Kwong Mei-sze, Kindergarten & Special Education Section Senior Education Officer (Kindergarten & Special Education), Tung Wah Group of Hospitals
• Mr Kenny Chiu Man-kin, Chief Executive Officer, Yan Oi Tong
New Partners (School Sponsoring Bodies):
• Mr Yeung Yiu-chung, Development Director, Heung To Education Organisation
• The Hon IP Kwok-him, Chairman, Hon Wah Educational Organization
• Mrs Joise Tan-chiu, Chairman, Hong Kong And Kowloon Kaifong Women's Association
• Professor Lau Chi-pang, President, Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers
• Mrs Wong-Chan Yuen-yeung, Chairman of Education Services Committee, Pok Oi Hospital
• The Hon Dr Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, Vice Chairman, Pui Kiu Educational Foundation
• Dr Albert So Chun-hin, Chairman, Shun Tak Fraternal Association
• Dr Lee Yiu-fai, Abbot of the Wong Tai Sin Temple, Sik Sik Yuen
• Mr Lee Ka-chung, Head of Education Department, The Association of The Directors and Former Directors of Pok Oi Hospital
• Dr Lee Shu-kam, Head of Primary, Secondary and Continuing Education Division, The Baptist Convention of Hong Kong
• Mr Michael Mok Man-too, Chairman, The Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society Kowloon
• Dr Allan Yung Tse-you, President, The Lutheran Church Hong Kong Synod
• Ms Chow Yin-yung, President, Tsung Tsin Mission of Hong Kong
• Dr Marcella Cheung Man-ka, Chairman of Board of Directors, Yan Chai Hospital
New Partners (School Councils and School Principals' Associations):
• Mrs Betty Ip-Tsang Chui-hing, Chairman, Association of Hong Kong Kindergarten Education Professional Exchange
• Ms Alice Yan Kin-foon, Chairman, Association of Principals of Government Secondary Schools
• Ms Kathy Chung Lai-kam, Chairperson, Hong Kong Aided Primary School Heads Association
• Mr Kwan Wing-bun, External Affairs Secretary, Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council
• Mr Chim Hon-ming, President, Hong Kong Island School Heads Association
• Ms Cindy Yu Lan-ching, Chairperson, Hong Kong Kindergarten Association
• Ms Levian Lee Ching-man, Chairperson, Hong Kong Special Schools Council
• Ms Lee Yi-ying, Chairman, Hong Kong Subsidized Secondary Schools Council
• Ms Jessica Man Sze-wing, Vice Chairman, Kowloon Region School Heads Association
• Mr Chu Wai-lam, Chairperson, New Territories School Heads Association
• Ms Cheung Chok-fong, Chairperson, Subsidized Primary Schools Council
• Dr Leung Wing-hung, Chairperson, The Hong Kong Special Education School Heads Association
• Ms Belinda Ip Wan-ting, Chairperson, Union of Government Primary School Headmasters and Headmistresses
EdUHK and its partner organisations will collaborate in various areas, including providing scholarships for secondary students aspiring to become prospective teachers and study at EdUHK; organising professional development programmes for teachers from schools of partner SSBs or members of partner councils and associations; arranging field experience opportunities for preservice teachers; and co-organising educational activities.
Right after the signing ceremony, the Education Summit with the theme of “The Future of Education in Hong Kong” commenced. The Summit featured two keynote speeches delivered by Dr David Wong Yau-kar and Professor John Lee Chi-Kin on the topics of “Education of Future” and “Future of Education” respectively, addressing the challenges and opportunities that the Hong Kong education sector was facing.
EdUHK Council Chairman Dr David Wong Yau-kar said, “We are in an era rich with both challenges and opportunities. As rapid technological advancements and globalisation reshape our world, education stands at a pivotal crossroads. Our education system must play a crucial role in nurturing talent and equipping students with the skills essential for the future. It is our collective responsibility to collaborate and drive the transformation and development of education in Hong Kong. Together, let us work to forge a brighter future for our children, cultivating the talents that will benefit society and contribute to the prosperity and stability of both Hong Kong and our nation.”
EdUHK President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin remarked, “Looking to the future of education, we continue to emphasise the profound importance of “Education Talent Virtue” (育才弘教 立德樹人). This includes essential educational topics such as national security, Chinese culture, artificial intelligence, professional ethics and new media. We serve a diverse group of individuals, and it is vital that everyone, not just teachers, cultivates personal virtue. Moral education is the foundation of Chinese culture, and “cultivating students” (樹人) means that teachers nurture students through moral development. Education must promote this concept using a variety of approaches, methods, and frameworks. As a publicly-funded university, EdUHK should leverage its unique position to lead the future of education.”
The Summit also featured a roundtable discussion led by various distinguished guests, including the Hon Professor Starry Lee Wai-king, a member of the Legislative Council; The Most Revd Andrew Chan Au-ming, Archbishop and Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui; Ms Lee Yi-ying, Chairman of the Hong Kong Subsidized Secondary Schools Council; Ms Kathy Chung Lai-kam, Chairperson of the Hong Kong Aided Primary School Heads Association; and Professor Kong Siu-cheung, Research Chair Professor at the Department of Mathematics and Information Technology and Director of the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Competency Education Centre at EdUHK. They explored how Hong Kong education can respond to the rapidly changing social demands and align with national development from various perspectives, including education policy, school leadership, technological development, and student growth.
In the concluding remarks of the roundtable discussion, Professor May Cheng May-hung, Vice President (Academic) of EdUHK, stated, “EdUHK is dedicated to fostering strong connections with educational organisations to enhance the quality of education in Hong Kong. School sponsoring bodies, school councils, and school principals’ associations are essential stakeholders in this endeavor, providing invaluable support in teacher education that empowers EdUHK to nurture generations of exceptional educators. Looking ahead, the skills students must develop will go beyond traditional subject knowledge. To cultivate students' confidence in facing future challenges, we must draw upon the collective support and collaboration of all sectors. In today’s rapidly changing landscape, the partnership between EdUHK and various organisations is more crucial than ever.”
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