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Following is the speech (English only) by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) 10th Anniversary Launching Ceremony today (April 23):
Dr Chung, Chairman Lo, Professor Woo, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It gives me great pleasure to join you on this occasion to launch the HKUST 10th anniversary celebration.
The building of a university is a collective mission of our community. It stands for our belief that betterment of our society can be achieved through higher education. A fine university is the very best gift we can give to our children and to their children.
The decision to build HKUST symbolises the community's recognition of the importance of promoting science and technology education in Hong Kong. We must rely on innovation and technology to improve our productivity, enhance competitiveness, and add value to our products and services. What's more, in a knowledge economy, human capital counts for more than physical and financial capital; and education background certainly counts for more than family background. Indeed, knowledge lowers the entry barrier for creating one's own business and enterprises, and provides our citizens with greater upward mobility.
A survey conducted by University Grants Committee shows that 97% of our first-degree students last year (excluding those who pursued post-graduate studies) were successful in getting jobs, successful soon after their graduation, compared with only 40% for secondary school leavers in the same year. Unfortunately, at the moment, only 30% of our youths in the 17 to 20 age group are able to receive university education or post-secondary diploma education. I have set a goal in my last Policy Address to increase this number to 60% within 10 years. This is an ambitious goal, but a goal we must achieve if we want to secure a better future for Hong Kong.
I have every confidence that we will achieve this goal. To do so, we need not only financial resources, but also a more innovative and flexible approach to providing post-secondary education. But above all else, we need to ensure both quality and quantity of our universities and post-secondary education institutions. The "Can-do" spirit of HKUST has set an excellent example. Yes, we can do it and together we will do it.
Despite its relative youth, HKUST has made history in the local and international academia. HKUST is ranked by Asia Week as one of the top ten universities in Asia. Its School of Business and Management is listed in the Financial Times' Top 50 business schools in the world. On the science and technology front, its core strength, HKUST has established itself as a first class teaching and research institute in the world.
The success of HKUST owes a lot to the leadership of its Council under the chairmanship of Dr Lo, the dedication of its academic and administrative staff, and generous donations given to the university by private individuals and corporations, and indeed by many many of you who are now standing in this room. I would like to thank you all. I would like to pay particular tribute to Dr Chung, who has nurtured the university from infancy to maturity, by serving first as Chairman of the Planning Committee, then Founding Council Chairman and recently as the Pro-Chancellor. Dr Chung's exemplary leadership and his vision of giving HKUST a clear focus on science and technology have set the university on firm ground for future development.
And again on Dr Chung passing the baton onto Dr Lo, we know the university is in good hands and I know Dr Lo will continue to carry out the fine work that has been there for some time. I would also like to welcome Professor Paul Chu, a distinguished physicist who will take over in July as the new President of the university. Paul has excelled himself in the field of superconductivity and received numerous awards for his research breakthrough. I am sure with his impressive academic record and ample experience in higher education and research, Paul as new President will lead HKUST to scale new heights in achievements in the years ahead.
But most importantly tonight, I would like to thank Professor Woo who will be retiring from the university in July this year after having served it tirelessly for 13 years as its Founding Vice-Chancellor and later as President. A renowned physicist, Professor Woo was the first Hong Kong-Chinese appointed as the President of an American university. But driven by the desire to serve his motherland, he left the presidency of San Francisco State University to come back to Hong Kong to head HKUST. He has been instrumental in establishing HKUST, transforming it into a world-class institution in the fields of science, technology and business. Under his leadership, HKUST is able to attract world-renowned scholars and researchers, establish partnership with reputable universities around the world, and achieve a significant degree of recognition both locally and internationally. He has also established HKUST as a pioneer in technology transfer and incubation. In his position as the President of HKUST, Professor Woo has laid a firm foundation for the university to realise its vision to be a world-class university in the cutting edge internationally in all targeted fields of pursuit. Professor Woo, we are greatly indebted to you for helping to create in Hong Kong such a fine university. Your dedication and contribution to HKUST as its Founding President, as you can hear from the round of applause here, will be fondly remembered by the university and by us all.
Chia-Wei, "happy retirement". I say "happy retirement" to you with the hope and knowledge that you will continue to serve Hong Kong in other capacities, although hopefully in a more relaxed manner. Let me also take this opportunity to wish you once again good health, every success in your future endeavours and learn what I have done - enjoy my grand children.
Ladies and gentlemen, let me congratulate HKUST on its 10th anniversary and wish it continued success in its many more 10 years to come. And I think Chia-wei you will leave with the confidence that your baton has been passed onto a very capable new President of HKUST. I am sure HKUST will continue to devote its utmost to the education of our young generations and serve as a beacon to our society to galvanise our youths to the pursuit of excellence in learning and in life.
Thank you.
End/Monday, April 23, 2001
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