FS visits former North Kowloon Magistracy (with photos/video)

FS visits former North Kowloon Magistracy (with photos/video)
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     The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, today (July 30) made a site visit to the former North Kowloon Magistracy in Sham Shui Po, where the Hong Kong branch campus of the renowned art, design and digital media institution in the United States - Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) - will be established.

     Mr Tsang first received a briefing on the SCAD-Hong Kong project by the Commissioner for Heritage, Mr Jack Chan, and SCAD's representative, Mr Bob Dickensheets.

     He then toured the brand-new learning environment in the revitalised building, including classrooms, the library, the design studios, as well as the conserved jail cells and courtroom.

     Mr Tsang said: "SCAD is a world famous institution, and it will help Hong Kong nurture experts in different creative fields with an international dimension."

     He added that the school would give fresh impetus to the local creative sector and provide excellent learning opportunities for young people who wished to join the industry.

     The North Kowloon Magistracy is the first project to be completed under Batch I of the Revitalising Historic Buildings through Partnership Scheme.

     Mr Tsang said: "It will promote Hong Kong as a regional art and design educational hub and improve its global competitiveness in digital media and creative industries.

     "The project will bring in 1,500 local and overseas students to Sham Shui Po district and help revitalise the old community."

     Registration of 14 non-local undergraduate and postgraduate courses, including animation, advertising design, photography, graphic design and illustration, with the Education Bureau was completed in the third quarter of 2009.

     SCAD-Hong Kong plans to commence operation in the revitalised building in September 2010.

     The Hong Kong branch campus of SCAD will be its first branch in Asia and its second overseas branch (the first is in Lacoste, France).

     Joining Mr Tsang at today's site visit were the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Permanent Secretary for Development (Works), Mr Wai Chi-sing.

Ends/Friday, July 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:28

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