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The Education Bureau (EDB) will host its first International Education Forum and Expo (IEFE) between July 14 and 16 to showcase the successes of Hong Kong's education reform and the articulation of the New Academic Structure (NAS) with education systems around the world.
Themed "Learning Journey for the Globalised World", the three-day event at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre will comprise a Ministerial Roundtable, an International Conference, and an Education Expo.
Speaking at a press briefing to release details of the IEFE today (June 10), the Deputy Secretary for Education, Dr Catherine K K Chan said, "The event will signify the launch of the Hong Kong New Academic Structure in the international arena."
On the Ministerial Roundtable to be held on July 14, Dr Chan said, "We are honoured by the presence of Education Ministerial Officials represented by delegations from 10 countries and cities, including Austria, Mainland China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Korea, Singapore, the UK, the USA and Macau. World-renowned education expert Sir Michael Barber will be the facilitator."
The roundtable, she said, will focus on how different nations bring forth the desired quality of human resources for sustainable development, and new competencies in facing the ever-changing challenges of today's globalised world.
She noted that the strengths of the NAS to meet these challenges lies in the adoption of a student-centred learning approach that provides learning opportunities for all students in Hong Kong to succeed in further studies or work. Hong Kong's strengths as an education hub are also built into the NAS, she added.
Dr Chan said the International Conference on July 14 will focus on how global trends and reform in school and higher education contribute to human resource development, with keynote speeches to be delivered by Professor Ruth Hayhoe, Sir Michael Barber, Professor Geoff Hayward, Dr Moses Cheng and Professor Edmond Ko.
More than 60 parallel sessions will be held on July 15 and 16 for parents and schools, covering the learning opportunities in Hong Kong for all students to succeed under the NAS; the articulation of the Hong Kong New Senior Secondary education (NSS) with other countries; and how the NSS curriculum prepares students for transition and attaining success via multiple pathways.
Workshops will also be offered by the EDB and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority for the local and international community on the NSS curriculum and the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education.
"The event will be held for some 7,000 local and overseas education professionals and 11,000 parents," Dr Chan said.
The International Conference on July 14 is open to all secondary school heads or their representatives. Invitations will be issued to them by mid-June 2011.
The parallel sessions on July 15 are open to secondary school principals and teachers who may enrol through the "EDB Training Calendar System", while those on July 16 are open to parents, with admission tickets being sent to schools for distribution to interested parents.
The Education Expo, to be held on July 15 and 16, features about 60 exhibition booths to highlight the articulation of the NAS with local and international education systems. It is open to the public and admission is free.
Members of the public can obtain updated information on the IEFE by browsing the official event website cd.edb.gov.hk/IEFE, which has been launched today.
Ends/Friday, June 10, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:34
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