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The Secretary for Education (SED), Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, yesterday (November 5, Berlin time) concluded his three-day duty visit to Germany for extensive exchanges with officials, academics, professionals and the business sector on vocational education.
Leading an education delegation from Hong Kong, Mr Ng yesterday morning visited the Free University of Berlin, which is one of Germany's largest universities. They were briefed by the management of the university on its development strategies, especially on research and international co-operation.
The delegation noted that the university also encourages the formation of companies by its students and graduates. A centre for company founders offers young entrepreneurs office space as well as advice and support during their start-up phase, paving the way for the development of their businesses.
In the afternoon, the delegation paid a visit to the Akademie Berlin-Schmöckwitz (ABS). The academy functions as a four-star hotel with its own school for hotel management.
Established in 1997, the ABS has become a major player in the education and hotel sector of Berlin for its ability to respond to the ever-changing needs of the tourism industry. After listening to an introduction to the academy, the delegates toured its facilities.
Mr Ng said, "Young people can have their own way to success. The most important point is that they should set a clear goal based on their own ability and interest, and make an appropriate choice, whether it is academic or vocational education."
He reiterated that strengthening life planning education is one of the Education Bureau's major tasks for this school year. In addition to providing a current subsidy of some $500,000 per year for each secondary school with senior secondary classes to reinforce the teaching team, it will also expand the Business-School Partnership Programme (BSPP) and step up vocational education.
The Bureau will hold a large-scale life planning education forum next Monday (November 10), inviting school principals, teachers, parents and BSPP partners to participate with a view to exploring the direction of life planning education and promoting community-wide support for students' life planning.
The delegates today (November 6, Berlin time) will fly to Switzerland to continue their duty visit. They will arrive back in Hong Kong in the evening of November 8.
Officials accompanying Mr Ng on the visit to Europe include the Principal Assistant Secretary (Further Education), Ms Pecvin Yong, and the Political Assistant to the SED, Mr Jeff Sze. Also joining the delegation are the Chairman of the Education Commission, Dr Moses Cheng; Deputy Chairman of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) Mr Conrad Wong; and VTC Deputy Executive Director Mr Leung Yam-shing.
Ends/Thursday, November 6, 2014
Issued at HKT 11:16
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