**************************************************

Following is the text (English only) of a speech by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Joseph W P Wong, at the opening ceremony of the English for Professional Communication Final Year Project Exhibition today (Tuesday):

Professor Chang, distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to be invited to The Power of Communication Project Exhibition and to see so many high-quality projects prepared by graduates of the Higher Diploma in English for Professional Communication.

Communication has become one of the most important life skills as we approach the information age of the 21st century. And language remains one of the most important and effective mdium of communication. With a service industry base and a worldwide information network, Hong Kong is always in need of young men and women with a good command of English in order to maintain a competitive edge vis-a-vis our neighbouring economies.

Apart from being a place where young people pursue intellectual development, our universities should also help to produce graduates who are readily employable, and effective communication is a key employable skill. Being responsible for both education and manpower policies, I always find it heartening, as demonstrated by today's event, that we have young people coming out from the education system who are well-equipped with the kind of skills that employers look for in our workforce.

Enhancing language standards at the workplace, in particular English, is very much at the forefront of our thinking. The Government's language enhancement efforts have focused mainly on basic education, i.e. in primary and secondary schools, through such initiatives as the Native English-speaking Teachers scheme, the Extensive English Reading and Writing Schemes and other school-based enhancement programmes.

Through the Language Fund, we have been sponsoring English language projects relating to a number of professions and industries, including the accounting, building and construction, engineering and the mass media sectors. A total of more than five million Hong Kong dollars have been disbursed for these initiatives, which cover curriculum development materials, audio visual software and research studies on English language needs in specific businesses and professions in Hong Kong.

We are increasingly aware of the need to gear up our vocational language training, to help employees in various professions, industries and trades meet the language requirements in their respective positions. The business community in Hong Kong have made it clear that the English standard of the Hong Kong workforce needs to be raised to retain Hong Kong's competitiveness in the region. Likewise, other employers including professional associations have sounded a similar concern. They have in fact pledged their efforts to address the problem and are willing to join hands with the Government to work towards higher English language standards among our workers. We have already embarked on some preliminary discussions, and we hope to be able to come up with some workable proposals shortly.

Lastly, I wish to congratulate all participants, both tutors and students, irrespective of prizes and awards won, for their good work. And I wish the final year students all the success in their future careers. Thank you.

End/Tuesday, May 11, 1999

NNNN