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The Education and Manpower Bureau of the HKSAR Government and the Department for Education and Skills of the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) today (May 11) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Education Cooperation to strengthen the collaboration in education and to promote the exchange of people between the two places.
This is the first MoU on education cooperation signed at a governmental level between Hong Kong and the UK.
Signing the MoU were the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur KC Li, on behalf of the HKSAR Government, and the Minister of State for Higher Education and Lifelong Learning, Mr Bill Rammell MP, on behalf of the UK Government.
Accompanying them were the Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mrs Fanny Law; Chairman of University Grants Committee, Dr Alice Lam; British Consul-General to Hong Kong, Mr Stephen Bradley; and Director of the British Council Hong Kong, Ms Ruth Gee.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Li said, "The MoU represents the earnest efforts of both sides towards the objective of strengthening education cooperation. It will lay a solid foundation for further collaboration and exchanges between the institutions and students of the two places."
Mr Bill Rammell MP said: "The Agreement we sign today will increase the education links at all levels between the UK and Hong Kong. It will help us share experience and build good practice, including through exchanges of students and academic staff. This is what the Prime Minister's Initiative for international education is all about."
Based on the MoU, the two places will promote the development of mutually beneficial relations in the fields of education and research. The two sides will strengthen partnerships and strategic collaboration that supports internationalisation of education and lifelong learning; enhances excellence and creativity in teaching, learning and research; contributes to professional development in the education sector.
Both sides will also promote exchanges of students, scholars and academic staff between the educational institutions of the two places.
"All these efforts will inevitably add new impetus and momentum to the long-standing rapport between Hong Kong and the UK," Professor Li added.
The main text of the MoU, which has taken immediate effect, can be viewed at the website of the Education and Manpower Bureau (http://www.emb.gov.hk).
Ends/Thursday, May 11, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:14
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