EdUHK Holds 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner: Education, Talent, Virtue - Shaping the Future of Education in Hong Kong Together
To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), a gala dinner was held tonight (23 November) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The event was attended by distinguished guests including representatives from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government), the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (LOCPG), the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC in HKSAR (OCMFA), the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government (OSNS) in the HKSAR, experts from the education sector, dignitaries and friends, as well as EdUHK Council members, senior management, faculty, students, and alumni. Around 2,000 guests gathered to celebrate EdUHK’s 30 years of achievements and to look forward to an exciting future.
The Chief Executive of HKSAR Government and EdUHK Chancellor, Mr John Lee Ka-chiu was unable to attend the dinner in person due to official duties; however, he recorded a video message in advance to convey his congratulations. In his message, he said that the Government was committed to developing Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education. He also highlighted that, in his third Policy Address delivered last month, he proposed a series of measures to nurture more outstanding professionals for Hong Kong, including supporting the training of teachers, and promoting the long-term development of the teaching profession. The government will continue to advance higher education, and encourage UGC-funded universities in offering courses more closely related to Hong Kong's future economic development. Looking ahead, he said that he believed EdUHK would uphold the theme of its 30th anniversary celebration, "Education Talent Virtue", inspiring more education specialists in Hong Kong and contributing significantly to the high-quality development of the country and Hong Kong.
The gala dinner featured a distinguished line-up of officiating guests including Chief Secretary for Administration of HKSAR Government, Mr Chan Kwok-ki; Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of LOCPG, Mr Wang Weiming; Director-General of the International Department of OCMFA, Counsellor Wang Jian; Director of the Liaison Bureau of OSNS in HKSAR, Mr Diao Weixiong; Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs, Miss Alice Mak Mei-kuen; University Grants Committee Chairman, Mr Tim Lui; EdUHK founding Council Chairman, Dr Simon Ip Shek-on; Former Council Chairman, Dr Pang Yiu-kai, as well as EdUHK Council Chairman, Dr David Wong Yau-kar; Deputy Chairman, Professor Terence Chan Ho-wah; Treasurer, Ms Imma Ling Kit-sum; Former President of Hong Kong Institution of Education (former EdUHK), Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung; EdUHK President, Professor John Lee Chi-Kin; Vice President (Academic) Professor May Cheng May-hung; Vice President (Research and Development), Professor Chetwyn Chan Che-hin; Vice President (Administration) , Dr Tom Fong Wing-ho; and the four new honorary doctors, Professor Stephen John Ball, Professor Marilyn Cochran-Smith, Professor Frederick Ma Si-hang and Dr the Hon Maria Tam Wai-chu.
In his welcome speech, Council Chairman Dr David Wong Yau-kar extended a warm welcome to guests attending the 30th Anniversary Gala Dinner. He said, “Over the past three decades, EdUHK has dedicated itself to being a leader in education, ensuring that our graduates emerge as exceptional and ethically responsible educators and professionals. We support them in lifelong learning and equip them to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world.” Looking ahead to the next decade, he said that EdUHK would continue to strive for academic excellence, enhance its research capabilities, expand partnerships in the Greater Bay Area, Mainland China and beyond. He added that EdUHK is increasing integrating technology into its teaching methodologies, while continuing to cultivate outstanding and responsible teachers and professionals for society. This commitment aims to help develop Hong Kong as an international education hub and to support the latest policy initiative to establish the ‘Study in Hong Kong’ brand.
In his address at the gala dinner, President Professor John Lee Chi-Kin expressed that EdUHK has inherited a century-old tradition of teacher education, upholding the educational philosophy that emphasises both talent and virtue. Over the past 30 years, EdUHK has nurtured more than 130,000 teachers and a diverse range of exceptional professionals; providing vital expertise and intellectual support for the development of Hong Kong, the nation and the world. In the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject, EdUHK ranked 20th in the world for education, while placing sixth in the Education and Educational Research subject rankings according to the 2024-2025 US News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings. It also holds 13th position in the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS) by ShanghaiRanking. Additionally, 49 EdUHK scholars have been recognised in the world’s top 2% of scientists, and the University has won over 170 international innovation awards, since 2018.
Professor Lee said, “EdUHK’s achievements today are a collective effort, and we are deeply grateful for the unwavering support from the HKSAR Government and society. Our Council, students, alumni and colleagues are the core driving force behind the sustainable development of EdUHK’s mission.”
Looking ahead, Professor Lee expressed his hope that EdUHK will uphold its idea of the “Education Futures”, nurturing students and the younger generation to become patriotic talents who embrace innovation, technology and artificial intelligence, while promoting sustainable development and inclusivity to foster collaboration and development with the Greater Bay Area, Mainland China and the world.
The event was hosted by EdUHK Alumnus and Honorary Fellow Mr Chung Chi-kwong, alongside alumna Ms Karen Cheng Sui-man and students Mr Alex Cao Zheyu and Miss Emily Cheung Yu-yi. Gifts were presented to the four recipients of honorary doctorates, thanking them for their profound knowledge and professional contributions to the advancement and benefit of society.
Faculty, students and alumni, including those from the five former colleges of education, were filled with excitement at the gala dinner. They greeted one another warmly, engaged in lively conversations, and took numerous photos to commemorate the occasion. Elite athlete students and the University’s senior management joined together on stage to raise a toast, celebrating the University's anniversary. The evening was both grand and heartfelt, radiating a warm atmosphere filled with joy and enthusiasm.
-Ends-
