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The Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, signed today (July 7) a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on education co-operation with the Korean Minister of Education, Science and Technology, Mr Ahn Byong Man. Mr Suen is visiting Seoul with a higher education delegation from Hong Kong.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Mr Suen said: "The MOU endeavours to strengthen collaboration in education and to promote educational exchanges between the two places."
The MOU sets out four directions in advancing co-operation between Hong Kong and Korea:
* to recognise and support extensive collaboration between the educational communities of the two places;
* to strengthen partnerships and strategic collaboration that support internationalisation of education and lifelong learning;
* to enhance excellence and creativity in teaching, learning and research conducted by their educational institutions; and
* to contribute to professional development in the education sector.
Mr Suen also updated the minister on the latest developments on Hong Kong's education front and initiatives to promote Hong Kong as a regional education hub.
Yesterday morning (July 6), Mr Suen and university representatives briefed the local media on Hong Kong's education reforms. He then delivered a keynote speech in the afternoon at the opening ceremony of the "Study in Hong Kong" education exhibition which Hong Kong is staging in Korea for the first time.
Mr Suen provided an overview of the education reforms in Hong Kong, including characteristics of the New Academic Structure, the international recognition of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education and its smooth articulation with overseas education systems.
He pointed out that Hong Kong had three fundamental strengths, namely cultural diversity, opportunities and international standards, enabling it to become a regional education hub.
Inviting Korean education staff and students to study in Hong Kong, Mr Suen said: "By welcoming more overseas students to Hong Kong, we will be able to provide an even more culturally diverse learning environment for developing intercultural competencies which are much sought after by higher education in different countries."
Mr Suen and the delegates then met Korean students and alumni of Hong Kong universities to learn about their school life in Hong Kong. He also hosted a dinner for Korean education professionals, headed by Professor Park Se-il, Chairman of the Hansun Foundation, and had fruitful exchanges with them on education development in the two places.
On July 5, Mr Suen and the delegates visited the renowned Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity. They were briefed on the foundation's efforts in advancing public understanding of science and global issues, developing creative human resources by strengthening science and mathematics education, as well as promoting creativity in society.
Mr Suen also met the President of the National Institute for International Education, Mr Chung Sang-ki, to enhance mutual co-operation in educational exchanges between Hong Kong and Korea.
During his tour of the Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Mr Suen had a meeting with its president, Dr Hong Thomas Hahn, to learn more about its accomplishments and efforts to promote international co-operation.
In the evening, he called on the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, Mr Zhang Xinsen.
Mr Suen and the Hong Kong delegates will visit the Ansan campus of the Seoul Institute of the Arts later today before proceeding to Tokyo, Japan, in the late afternoon.
Ends/Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Issued at HKT 16:13
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