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The Permanent Secretary for Education, Mr Raymond Wong, met a delegation from Montrˆmal today (May 11) to promote the New Academic Structure (NAS) and to showcase Hong Kong as a regional education hub with stepped-up efforts to further internationalise and diversify the higher education sector.
The delegation members are Vice-Principal (Research and International Relations), McGill University, Dr Rima Rozen; Vice-President, Academic Services and Technological Development, University of Quˆmbec in Montrˆmal, Professor Claude-Yves Charron; Professor and Chief Executive Officer / General Directorate, ˆ[cole Polytechnique, Professor Christophe Guy; and Programme Director of the Business School, Hˆ[C Montrˆmal, Professor Ruth Duprˆm.
Mr Wong highlighted to the Montrˆmal delegation the key features of the NAS, which facilitates smoother articulation with overseas education systems including the Quˆmbec system. He said he was pleased to note the fruitful exchanges with various universities, academic organisations and admission services when the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority visited Canada in March.
He said he was thankful for these parties' positive responses, in particular their support for whole-person development of students under the NAS, the emphasis on building a broad knowledge base and developing students' thinking skills and abilities for life-long learning. The delegation expressed appreciation of the NAS, which prepares Hong Kong students well for admission to higher education institutions including those in Quˆmbec.
Mr Wong also shared with the heads of institutions the latest initiatives of the Hong Kong SAR Government to enhance education services and to promote Hong Kong as a regional hub for quality education.
"Education services is one of six economic areas that Hong Kong has identified as having good potential for further development. Our objective is to enhance Hong Kong's status as a regional education hub, nurturing talent and increasing our competitiveness. We look forward to more fruitful exchanges with universities in Montrˆmal," Mr Wong said.
Ends/Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:40
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