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Following is a speech by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mrs Fanny Law, at the HKCAA 10th Anniversary International Conference today (December 4):
New Millennium: Quality and Innovations in Higher Education
Professor Leong, Professor Gu, Miss Wong, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
I am deeply honoured to have been invited to officiate at the opening of this International Conference in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation. The conference has brought together distinguished academics and education experts from around the world to explore the new dimensions of quality assurance in higher education in the new millennium; an era marked by globalisation and innovations. The changing landscape of higher education calls for more international collaboration in quality assurance, and I applaud the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation and the Chinese Society of Higher Education for the initiative in organizing this conference. I am sure we will all benefit from the sharing of international perspectives and experiences.
Global Challenges
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Recent developments have shown that as new technologies increase the mobility of people, information and services across the world, they open up opportunities previously beyond anyone's imagination. The breakdown of barriers in time and space has made the transmission of knowledge more efficient, more accessible and more user-friendly. Virtual universities are no longer a myth as web-based programmes are now offered on a transnational basis, and at a more affordable cost. They offer hope and promise to many who, for one reason or another, have missed the opportunity of higher education. In Hong Kong alone, we have about 630 courses offered by more than 150 non-local institutions from seven places, and the trend is on the rise.
In a knowledge-based society where lifelong learning is the only way to uphold one's currency, continuing education is a thriving business, and transnational education, a booming trade. There are now over 4000 corporate "universities" providing training for their own staff. New education providers emerge at an unprecedented rate, offering a wide range of programmes on the internet, from sub-degree to postgraduate levels. According to International Data Corporation (IDC, 1999), the worldwide academic market will grow from US$24 billion to over US$2,000 billion in the next decade. The corporate market will mushroom from US$343 billion to US$11,560 billion. With an increasing number of for-profit education providers entering the market, we can expect intensified competition triggering more innovations and demanding greater entrepreneurship in the race for market share.
How to assure the quality of higher education in an increasingly competitive market, operating under a disparate circumstances, including the unregulated cyberspace, is a confounding question for quality assurance agencies. It begs a series of questions, for example:
* Could a centrally controlled quality assurance mechanism, which involves elaborate accreditation processes, keep pace with the rate of change as the "half life" of education programmes shortens in a knowledge-based society?
* If not, should we give full play to market forces instead, and let "buyers beware" by increasing the system transparency and access to information by the consumer?
* Or, is there a happy medium somewhere in between the two extremes?
* And, as more programmes transcend national boundaries, are national laws adequate in regulating what is fast becoming a global market? What is the feasibility of instituting an international quality assurance mechanism?
These are just a few of the emerging challenges that quality assurance agencies will face. I do not have ready answers to offer, and will look to the distinguished speakers and participants of this conference for advice and enlightenment.
Local Challenges
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In Hong Kong, we "think globally and act locally". Against the backdrop of an increasingly knowledge-based, technology-driven and competitive environment, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government accords top priority to education, as a cornerstone of our social development policy. We are firmly committed to investing in human resources as an investment in the future. We have recently completed a comprehensive review of our education system, from early childhood to higher education, and developed a blueprint of education for the 21st century. Our vision is to nurture a new generation of global citizens who are creative, resilient, effective in communication, capable of independent and critical thinking, and committed to lifelong learning.
Let me focus on tertiary education. At present, there are eight publicly funded universities in Hong Kong, and a number of private as well as subsidized tertiary institutions that offer sub-degree programmes. About 30 per cent of our secondary school graduates participate in tertiary education of one form or another, both local and overseas. As Hong Kong undergoes continuous economic re-structuring, and with China's impending accession to the World Trade Organisation, the demand for knowledge workers is expected to increase. Our Chief Executive has recently announced in his policy address a vision to provide tertiary education for up to 60 per cent of the 17 to 20-year age cohort within ten years.
This is a bold and ambitious target, but is necessary if Hong Kong is to remain competitive in the knowledge economy of the 21st century. We expect the bulk of the expansion to be in sub-degree programmes as there is a huge unmet demand for associate professionals. We invite existing tertiary institutions, continuing education institutions, private corporations and professional organizations to participate in contributing towards this vision, and we welcome collaboration with overseas institutions. We envision the development of a more diversified, flexible and progressive system of higher education, which will provide for multiple points of entry and exit, and accumulation and transfer of credits among institutions.
How to assure quality as we expand tertiary education is a predominant issue on the government agenda. We aspire for a quality assurance mechanism that is robust, without being intrusive; responsive and flexible, without compromising on standards. We will facilitate progression, articulation, portability and recognition of qualifications between providers, across sectors, and among levels. In the final analysis, the quality assurance mechanism must bear credibility, inspire confidence and earn recognition among employers and professional bodies. This is a tall order, but I am confident that Hong Kong will rise to the challenge with the same vigour and determination as we have demonstrated in the past. The HKCAA, with its expertise and track record, will be a major player and facilitator in developing a quality assurance mechanism suited to the evolving higher education system.
Partnership with HKCAA
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Over the past decade, the HKCAA has tendered invaluable advice to the Hong Kong Government on the academic standards of degree-awarding institutions and their programmes. Since 1997, it has become the advisor to the Registrar for non-local higher and professional qualifications. On the occasion of its 10th Anniversary, I wish the HKCAA continued success. I also look forward to working closely with HKCAA in developing a comprehensive quality assurance mechanism as Hong Kong moves ahead in building a more diversified, flexible, and accessible system of higher education that is consistent with Hong Kong's vision of being a world city in Asia and a major city of China.
In the next two days, we shall hear from experts around the world the latest trends in higher education. I wish you fruitful discussions and a very successful conference. To those of you who have traveled a long way to Hong Kong, I wish you an enjoyable stay and hope you will have time to visit and experience the spirit and vibrancy of Hong Kong, the City of Life. Thank you.
End/Monday, December 4, 2000
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