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Following is the speech by the Chief Executive, Mr C Y Leung, at the Grand Opening of the Open University of Hong Kong Jubilee College at the Jockey Club Campus today (February 27):
Pro-Chancellor, Council Chairman, Professor Leong, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning.
I am delighted to join you to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Jubilee College. This is also a fitting occasion to mark the Silver Jubilee of the Open University of Hong Kong.
Over a quarter of a century, the Open University has been a valuable asset of our education sector, opening the doors of opportunity to everyone, regardless of age, ability, family background or financial resources. This embodies the cherished teaching of Confucius - ¦³±ÐµLÃþ, which is a noble goal of education for all.
More than 70 000 graduates have benefited from the Open University's programmes since it was established as the Open Learning Institute in 1989. For many, it has been a life-changing experience. Individual success stories abound in areas ranging from business to performing arts to academia and much more, with the University's students becoming role models of lifelong learning.
Today, we are witnessing another outstanding achievement. Since securing the site in 2010, the Jubilee College project has been completed on time and within budget. This is no small achievement. I congratulate the Council members on their leadership, the staff for their dedication and everyone involved in this project for contributing to this successful outcome today.
The opening of the Jubilee College marks another milestone in the Open University's development. The College will offer full-time programmes in cultural and creative arts, testing and certification and medical services, which represent important industries for Hong Kong's future economic development.
I am confident that the Open University will continue to play a leading role in upgrading our workforce so that Hong Kong can adapt and thrive amid technological, economic and social change ahead.
The Hong Kong Government has made education a top priority. In yesterday's Budget, education continued to be the single largest area of recurrent expenditure. Roughly one out of every five dollars of government money is spent on education.
On higher education, I announced in the Policy Address that the Government will provide students with more opportunities for higher education in five ways:
i) From the 2015/16 academic year and in the triennium that follows, the intake of senior-year undergraduate places in University Grants Committee-funded institutions will progressively increase by a total of 1 000 places so that by the 2018/19 academic year 5 000 meritorious sub-degree graduates will be able to articulate to subsidised degree programmes each year;
ii) We will study the feasibility of a new scheme to subsidise up to 1 000 students per cohort to pursue self-financing undergraduate programmes in selected disciplines to meet Hong Kong's manpower needs;
iii) A Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme will be introduced so that students in need pursuing studies under the scheme for the Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions may receive a means-tested grant of up to $15,000 per year during their studies;
iv) A new scholarship scheme will be implemented to support up to 100 outstanding local students each cohort to pursue studies in renowned universities outside Hong Kong, with a view to nurturing a diversified pool of top talent to spur Hong Kong's development; and lastly
v) In line with our youth policy of fostering a culture of multi-faceted excellence, a $100 million scholarship fund will be set up. Universities and tertiary institutions will be encouraged to admit on a full cost-recovery basis about 20 local students a year who excel in sport, arts and community service starting from the 2015/16 academic year.
To support the healthy and sustainable development of the self-financing post-secondary education sector and to improve the quality of teaching and learning, the Government has implemented a variety of support measures. They include the Land Grant Scheme, Start-up Loan Scheme, Self-financing Post-secondary Education Fund, Matching Grant Scheme, Research Endowment Fund and student financial assistance schemes.
I am pleased that the Open University participates in these schemes, including the Land Grant Scheme and Start-up Loan to facilitate the development of the Jubilee College.
There is no one-size-fits-all style of education. Each student evolves at their own pace with different abilities and different ambitions, goals and outcomes. The Open University and its graduates are shining examples of what can be achieved when you have the right tools and a common vision to succeed.
Ladies and gentlemen, I congratulate the Open University on its 25th anniversary and on the Grand Opening of its Jubilee College. I wish this College, its staff and students a great success. No doubt, we will see many more graduates of the Open University contributing to our city's development and prosperity for many years to come.
Thank you very much.
Ends/Thursday, February 27, 2014
Issued at HKT 13:10
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