**********************************************
The Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, will lead a higher education delegation to Malaysia and Indonesia on Sunday (May 16), the first stop of a series of visits to Asian countries to promote the education services of Hong Kong.
The key purpose of the visit is to establish ties with the Malaysian and Indonesian education sector and update them on Hong Kong's latest initiatives in the development of education services.
Hong Kong aims to enhance its status as a regional education hub through internationalisation and diversification of the higher education sector.
During the visit, Mr Suen will also take the opportunity to promote Hong Kong's newly implemented New Academic Structure (NAS), in particular the international recognition of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) and its smooth articulation with overseas education systems.
Mr Suen will first stop at Kuala Lumpur where he will call on the Malaysian Minister of Education and the Minister of Higher Education. He will also meet with the key personalities in Malaysian education sector.
On May 18, Mr Suen will deliver a keynote speech at the education seminar entitled "Education Reforms in Hong Kong in the 21st Century for a Globalised World" and address a business luncheon on "Nurturing Talents for Asia".
While in Kuala Lumpur, he will visit the Tsun Jin High School and the Bukit Jalil Sports School to understand the diversified education system including the support for student-athletes.
Mr Suen will proceed to Jakarta on May 19 where he will call on the Indonesian Minister of National Education, and visit the University of Indonesia as well as a renowned vocational school, the SMKN 27 Jakarta.
Accompanying Mr Suen on the visit include Deputy Secretaries for Education, Ms Michelle Li and Dr Catherine Chan, Professor Tang Tao of Hong Kong Baptist University, Professor Jesus Seade of Lingnan University, Professor Ching Pak-chung of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Thomas Wong Kwok-shing of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Professor John Anthony Spinks of the University of Hong Kong.
Mr Suen will return to Hong Kong on May 21.
Ends/Thursday, May 13, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:32
NNNN
