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The Secretary for Education, Mr Michael Suen, today (July 8) extended a warm welcome to Japanese students to study in Hong Kong, which is enhancing its efforts to internationalise and diversify the higher education sector.
Mr Suen is leading a higher education delegation comprising presidents, vice-presidents and professors from seven local universities to Korea and Japan to showcase Hong Kong as a regional education hub and to promote the New Academic Structure (NAS) as well as the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE).
Following their visit to Korea, the delegation started the second leg of their tour in Tokyo where they attended an education seminar on "Nurturing Talent for Asia" this afternoon.
In a keynote speech delivered at the seminar, Mr Suen provided an overview of the education reforms in Hong Kong, including characteristics of the NAS and the international recognition of the HKDSE and its smooth articulation with overseas education systems.
Mr Suen also updated the Japanese community on the latest measures the HKSAR Government had been taking to nurture talent for Asia, including efforts to enhance education services by further internationalising and diversifying the higher education sector.
"I am confident that our education reforms, open door policies for overseas students and the modern city lifestyle of Hong Kong will continue to attract talented young people to our city. We certainly welcome more students from Japan," he said.
Mr Suen also called for closer collaboration in education between Hong Kong and Japan.
In the morning, the delegation visited the Yokohama Science Frontier High School, an innovative public high school emphasising the teaching of advanced science and technology, to learn about its experience in nurturing global scientific talent.
The delegation also attended a networking luncheon with Japanese businessmen who have interests in Hong Kong.
Tomorrow (July 9), Mr Suen and university representatives will brief the local media on Hong Kong's education reforms and the latest developments in the higher education sector. He will also call on the Acting Chinese Ambassador to Japan.
The delegation will return to Hong Kong on Saturday (July 10).
Ends/Thursday, July 8, 2010
Issued at HKT 18:20
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