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The Elder Academy Scheme entered a new era today (November 2) with the launching of the Elder Academy Development Foundation and the commencement of the 2009/10 academic year for the academies.
The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, officiated at the launching ceremony to mark the important moment. The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, the Chairman of the Elderly Commission, Dr Leong Che-hung, some 400 representatives and students of elder academies and guests took part in the event.
Jointly launched by the Government and the Elderly Commission in 2007, the Elder Academy Scheme aims to encourage elders to continue learning at elder academies run by school sponsoring bodies and welfare organisations. It also encourages young students to take up voluntary work at the elder academies.
This year, the total number of elder academies has increased to more than 100, 98 of which are established in primary and secondary schools and the rest in tertiary education institutions.
Early this year, the Financial Secretary allocated $10 million in the Budget for the establishment of an Elder Academy Development Foundation to be co-sponsored by the Government and the community sectors to ensure the sustainable development of the scheme.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, Mr Tsang said that the Elderly Commission had set up the Committee on Elder Academy Development Foundation to administer the fund, examine funding applications, and formulate long-term strategies and measures regarding curriculum development, academic structure and extra-curricular activities of elder academies and the establishment of more elder academies.
The committee is chaired by Dr Leong Che-hung and consists of 20 members from the welfare, healthcare, education and academic sectors as well as Government officials.
Mr Tsang thanked the Law's Charitable Foundation for donating $5 million to the Elder Academy Development Foundation. He said, "I am sure the committee will make the best use of the fund to help more elders pursue continuous learning and realise our vision of 'education for all ages'."
At the ceremony, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung and Dr Leong Che-hung presented study awards to 121 elder students who have attained 50 hours of study in the last academic year and service awards to 29 elder academy volunteers in recognition of their achievements and contributions.
Ends/Monday, November 2, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:54
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