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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang, at the graduation ceremony of the Open University of Hong Kong at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium today (December 12):
Council Chairman, Council members, Professor Leong, teaching staff, graduates, guests, ladies and gentlemen,
Today is a time to harvest the fruits of your labour. To all the graduates, to your families and friends behind you, and to the staff of the Open University of Hong Kong, today's graduation ceremony is the best acknowledgement and reward for your commitment and hard work. My heartfelt congratulations to you all.
I am honoured today to receive an honorary doctorate in Social Sciences from the Open University. It is also a privilege to speak in front of all the esteemed scholars and my fellow honorary doctorate recipients, Dr Daniel Tse, Mr Solomon Lee and Professor Howard Goldblatt. You have all made outstanding accomplishments and invaluable contributions in your respective domains. Sharing this honour with such distinguished company is to me a strong encouragement and motivation.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say a few words about a topic that is particularly relevant to the Open University and to Hong Kong's sustainable development. That topic is lifelong learning.
Learning is at the heart of human progress and social development. This is a universal truth that transcends time and place. The Confucian Analects, the classic of the Confucian orthodoxy of China, starts by saying: "Is it not pleasant to learn with constant perseverance and application?". This tells us how important learning is in traditional Chinese culture.
Fast-forward to the turn of the 20th century when the American philosopher and educator John Dewey was at his most influential. Dewey once said, and I quote: "Education is not a preparation for life; education is life itself." Throughout the ages there has been a great respect for the power of learning and the relationship between learning and character building.
The same is true today, although technological advancement and globalisation has brought about new challenges to our work and daily life. This requires a new skills set and a new approach to learning.
It is no longer enough to receive education in early life and apply that knowledge in our working years. Adapting to today's fast-moving world requires continuous education to upgrade our knowledge and skills and to achieve self-improvement.
But lifelong learning goes beyond skills acquisition. To learn more about literature, history, philosophy and the arts will also benefit us enormously in terms of personal development and broadening our horizons.
The value of lifelong learning also lies in its process. Sailing in the vast ocean of knowledge, we are apt to be humble yet persevere. Knowing what we don't know is the starting point of progress.
A sense of humility opens up our mind and helps us learn the best. Perseverance and diligence provide the bedrock of successful learning. These qualities are embodied in students of the Open University. Many of you have sacrificed your leisure time for further studies and self-enhancement. Your devotion and perseverance deserve admiration and respect.
Let us also remember the understanding, support and encouragement from family and friends standing firmly behind you during your studies. All graduates owe them a debt of gratitude and a hearty "thank you".
The quality of our people is the key to Hong Kong's success story. To sustain our development and gain a firm foothold at the forefront of developed regions we need to nurture our local talent and equip them with high-value skills and creativity. Not only does lifelong learning benefit the individual, it provides the momentum to take the entire community forward.
The Open University is an ideal avenue for lifelong learning. The age of this year's graduates spans from 19 to 70, which is a perfect demonstration of "lifelong learning." Since its establishment in 1989, the Open University has groomed more than 58,000 graduates. The Government deeply appreciates the commitment and contribution of the university in nurturing talent and providing opportunities for lifelong learning. While the university is run on a self-financing basis, over the years the Government has provided nearly $700 million in grants to the university. These grants have supported the construction of school premises, promotion of information technology in education, and provision of student loans.
I congratulate the Open University on making higher education accessible to all who aspire to it. I wish the university and its graduates every success.
Lastly, I am proud to be your fellow alumni.
Thank you.
Ends/Friday, December 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:45
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