With support from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance (GHMUA), the Faculty of Education and Human Development (FEHD) at EdUHK has collaborated with the School of Education at South China Normal University (SCNU) and the Faculty of Education at the University of Macao (UM) to establish the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao University Alliance for Teacher Education (GHMU-ATE).
The primary objective of this professional alliance is to harness the collective support and research capabilities of Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, to enhance collaboration and elevate the quality of university-level teacher education. By combining the expertise and resources of these regions, the alliance seeks to foster a robust and impactful environment for developing and enhancing teacher education practices.
On 8 March 2024, an inauguration ceremony took place at SCNU to mark the establishment of the alliance. Distinguished leaders from the Provincial Education Department, GHMUA Council, and the three founding universities were some of the notable attendees. They included Mr Li Jinjun, Director of the Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Office at the Department of Education of Guangdong Province; Ms Gu Wenli, a representative of the GHMUA Council Secretariat and Deputy Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange for Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Affairs at Sun Yat-sen University; Professor Yang Chengwei, Vice President of SCNU; Professor Bruce Macfarlane, Dean of FEHD; and Professor Zhou Mingming, Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Education at UM.
The ceremony was attended by over 50 teacher education experts and scholars from 15 universities in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as over 150 SCNU students. The occasion featured opening remarks from distinguished leaders and an unveiling ceremony, celebrating the collaborative efforts in advancing teacher education and establishing a solid foundation for the GHMU-ATE.
During his opening remarks, Director Li emphasized the GHMU-ATE’s pivotal role in teacher education within the Greater Bay Area (GBA). He expressed his aspirations for the alliance to nurture professionals who love their country, have a global perspective, and contribute to society.
Ms Gu expressed her gratitude to SCNU for hosting the momentous event and establishing the GHMU-ATE. She highlighted that the collaborative efforts within this professional alliance would form a robust platform for enhancing the quality of university teachers in the GBA and advancing the overall level of teacher education in the country.
In his address to the ceremony, Professor Yang highlighted that establishing GHMU-ATE significantly unleashes the educational advantages and teacher education characteristics of universities in the GBA. He added that it deepens the reform of teacher workforce development in the new era and supports the construction of an educationally strong nation.
Professor Macfarlane expressed EdUHK’s commitment to contributing its expertise, research capacity, and experience to eacher education in the GBA. He said, “Through this platform, we can work together to shape the future of teacher education and make a positive impact on children and youth.”
Prof. Zhou said the GHMU-ATE brings together elite universities from Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau, leveraging their strengths in technological innovation, talent exchange, and other fields. This alliance provides more development opportunities for scholars and students from the three regions, contributing collectively to promoting high-quality development in the GBA.
Following the inauguration ceremony, the first academic forum of GHMU-ATE took place. The forum featured 16 keynote presentations, focusing on four main topics: exchange and collaboration among teachers, cooperation in teacher education curricula, exchange and collaboration of student teachers, and special education. These topics were selected to address key areas of interest and significance in teacher education, promoting dialogue, sharing best practices, and fostering innovation among the participating institutions.
Prof. Lim Cher Ping, Associate Dean (International Engagement) of FEHD chaired the first session of keynotes in the afternoon. Also, the FEHD delegation made significant contributions to the academic forum by delivering three keynotes. The presentations were as follows:
· Prof. Yan Zi keynote on Collaboratively applying ‘Assessment for Learning’ and ‘Assessment as Learning’
· Dr Liu Duo keynote on Support for children with learning disabilities by regular school teachers in the context of inclusive education
· Dr Lu Jiafang keynote on Crossing System Boundaries: Sharing Mainland Education System and Development with Teacher Leaders in Hong Kong
By leveraging partnerships and knowledge-sharing with universities in Guangdong and Macau, FEHD aims to enhance the quality and effectiveness of teacher education practices.
