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The Secretary for Education (SED), Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, will today (January 29) continue to participate in the Education World Forum (EWF) in London, the United Kingdom (UK).
At the largest gathering of education and skills ministers in the world, Mr Ng will deliver a keynote speech to promote Hong Kong's education reform and policies as well as its role as a world city and a regional education hub.
Earlier on, Mr Ng took part in the formal opening of the EWF and a series of keynote debates led by education pioneers including the Head of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), Mr Andreas Schleicher. Mr Schleicher and other guest speakers shared their insights on the way to drive success in reaching all learners and raising the quality of their learning.
In PISA 2009, Hong Kong students ranked third in mathematics and science and fourth in reading among the participating countries and regions.
Mr Ng was also invited to a round-table lunch hosted by the British Council to exchange views with senior representatives from UK universities on a variety of issues including the positive outcome of Hong Kong's education reform and the 334 academic structure, teacher training and the development of higher and international education, as well as the Qualifications Framework.
Mr Ng then met and briefed some 100 Hong Kong businessmen and students in the UK on the recently announced Policy Address and the latest developments of education in Hong Kong at a talk arranged by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in London and the Hong Kong Association.
He was grateful that although the businessmen were doing business far away from Hong Kong, they were still very concerned about Hong Kong affairs.
Speaking to the students, Mr Ng said that the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education qualification had gained wide recognition worldwide and enabled Hong Kong students to pursue further studies and research opportunities overseas.
In spite of this, Mr Ng reminded the students that Hong Kong was not only their home but also a dynamic city full of opportunities for young people. He invited the students to return to Hong Kong upon completion of their studies in the UK to pursue their careers and fulfil their dreams.
Mr Ng also responded to students' questions, such as those relating to further studies and career development, as well as the policy that school sponsoring bodies and schools had been allowed to decide, on their own, whether and how to teach moral and national education.
Accompanying the SED to visit London are the Deputy Secretary for Education, Dr Catherine K K Chan, and the Administrative Assistant to the SED, Mr Kenneth Cheng.
Ends/Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Issued at HKT 12:05
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