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The Secretary for Education (SED), Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, and the Chairman of the Education Commission, Dr Moses Cheng, today (August 1) launched a roving exhibition at the University of Melbourne to promote Hong Kong as a regional education hub.
"Hong Kong is a regional and student-friendly education destination where overseas students can experience a blend of Eastern and Western cultures, and look for exchange and study opportunities in quality higher education institutions," Mr Ng said.
"I am pleased that our effort to promote higher education and development opportunities was recognised by a recent study on the best international education destinations in the world conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, in which Hong Kong ranks third among a total of 80 cities.
"Another recent release of the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) University Rankings also shows that six of the universities in Hong Kong are among the top 50 in Asia, with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology named the top university in Asia. In addition, three of the universities are among the top 40 universities in the world, according to the QS World University Rankings 2012."
Dr Cheng echoed the importance of developing Hong Kong as a regional education hub. He said, "The objective of education is to facilitate the whole-person development and the lifelong learning ability of our new generation.
"Attracting students from around the world to Hong Kong could enhance inspiration, collaboration and development in the talent pool, leading to a win-win situation for both Hong Kong and their country of origin."
Organised by the Education Bureau and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney, the roving exhibition is aimed at demonstrating the key advantages and attractions of studying in Hong Kong, featuring practical information such as exchange, study and research opportunities in Hong Kong; its world-class institutions, diverse cultures and living conditions; and more.
The roving exhibition will be held at nine university campuses across Australia, including campuses in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth, between August 2013 and September 2014.
Leading a Hong Kong delegation to Melbourne, Mr Ng and Mr Cheng, who is also the Chairman of the Committee on Free Kindergarten Education, also met with the Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development, State of Victoria, Ms Wendy Lovell, and other officials to exchange views on kindergarten education.
Afterwards, the delegation visited the Melbourne Graduate School of Education to look into the kindergarten and pre-school education services in Victoria and the provision of teacher training and professional development programmes.
The delegation also visited Asialink, which is an affiliate of the University of Melbourne, to learn about the Australian Government's latest education initiatives regarding Asia.
Mr Ng took the opportunity to host a gathering in Melbourne with a group of students from Hong Kong, reiterating the Government's commitment to strengthen its network to support students studying overseas. He also met some community leaders and academics to update them on the latest developments in Hong Kong.
Other members of the delegation include sub-committee conveners of the Committee on Free Kindergarten Education; the Deputy Secretary for Education, Mrs Betty Ip; and the Administrative Assistant to the SED, Mr Kenneth Cheng.
Ends/Thursday, August 1, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:53
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