The Education Bureau today (July 1) announced the re-appointment of Mr Lester Garson Huang as Chairman of the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) for two years with effect from July 1, 2017.

     Mr Huang is a solicitor by profession and has been involved extensively in education matters in the past years. He has been a member of the Education Commission, the Council of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Council of the University of Hong Kong. He has served on the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority Council and also the Standing Committee on Legal Education and Training.

     The Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, said, "Mr Huang has a strong professional background and rich experience in public service. I believe that under his able leadership, SCOLAR will continue to rise up to the challenges ahead in addressing the language needs of society and individuals."

     The Education Bureau also re-appointed seven serving members and appointed five new members to SCOLAR for two years.

     Mr Yeung thanked the outgoing members, namely Mr Patrick Chan, Mrs Mimi Cunningham, Dr David Ho, Mr Raphael Tong and Mr Tsang Wing-keung, for their sterling service and contributions to the work of SCOLAR.

     "The Government will continue to work closely with SCOLAR in devising strategies to enhance the language proficiency in Hong Kong," he said.

     The membership list of SCOLAR with effect from July 1, 2017, is as follows:

Chairman
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Mr Lester Garson Huang

Re-appointed members
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Dr Julia Chan Lai-chu
Ms Chan Shin-kwan
Professor Cecilia Chun Ka-wai
Mr Tavier Lau Chi-kuen
Ms Gloria Leung Chi-kin
Mr Ma Ching-nam
Dr Yuen Chun-wah

Newly appointed members
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Ms Dilys Chau Suet-fung
Ms Margaret Cheng Wai-ching
Ms Shirley Marie Therese Loo
Ms Cecilia Lee Sau-wai
Dr Paul Tsui Hon-yan

Ex-officio members
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Deputy Secretary for Education
Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council's Committee on Chinese Language Education
Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council's Committee on English Language Education
Chairperson of Curriculum Development Council's Committee on Early Childhood Education
Chairperson of the Committee on Professional Development of Teachers and Principals
Secretary-General of Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority or representative

     SCOLAR was set up in 1996 to advise the Government on language education and the use of the Language Fund.

Ends/Saturday, July 1, 2017
Issued at HKT 11:00

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