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The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Donald Tsang, has today (May 22, Brussels time) urged European students to consider bringing their talent and ideas to Hong Kong.
Mr Tsang told a group of students from the prestigious College of Europe that their presence would enrich the cosmopolitan and eclectic mix of people in Hong Kong, which was positioning itself to be the world city of Asia.
"Hong Kong is a free and open society with an international outlook and we welcome talented people and their families from all around the world," Mr Tsang told a group of students attending the College in the Belgian canal city of Bruges, which is also the European Cultural Capital 2002.
"We have many advantages that make us unique in Asia - a trusted legal system, a sense of fair play, freedom of expression and academic pursuit, the free movement of goods and information and a clean government.
"We are distinctly an Oriental society but we are also a world city that is very modern and efficient. We have a safe city that is very energetic and vibrant and a lot of fun too.
"So I hope that before too long we could see some of your faces in our part of the world, joining us to enrich our community with your own culture and heritage, your elegance and sense of history."
Mr Tsang welcomed an initiative by the Belgium - Hong Kong Society to sponsor a Hong Kong student to attend the College of Europe for its intensive post-degree course.
He supported a suggestion by the College Rector, Mr Piet Akkermans, to boost academic exchanges between Hong Kong's educational establishments and the College of Europe.
"Traditionally, our students have looked to North America, to the UK and Australia to study," said Mr Tsang.
"But Europe is so important, particularly if you look 10 or 20 years into the future to see a more unified Europe, a very substantial borderless society with a common currency, a common purpose and perhaps even common education standards.
"So, such things as education exchanges are very useful. They can help our students reach out to this very important part of the world to broaden their experience and horizons.
"At the same time, we would welcome European students in Hong Kong so they can learn about our life and culture, to see and understand the enormous changes taking place in our country and to take that experience and knowledge back with them to their home countries."
The College of Europe was established in 1949 and offers intense and innovative, post-graduate courses and pre-professional training at campuses in Bruges and Warsaw.
It has 350 students and 110 teaching professors, offering a very close one-on-one teaching environment. Students are required to live-in at one of the college's six residences and to make at least one presentation on their home country during their stay.
Traditionally, the College has brought together students from across Europe to live and study together in a truly European environment.
However, the College is now reaching out to high-calibre students around the globe to provide them with a greater understanding of Europe as well as enrich the learning experience and cultural exposure of European students.
End/Thursday, May 23, 2002
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