Speech by CE at Yidan Prize Awards Presentation Ceremony 2020 (English only) (with photo/video)
******************************************************************************************
Dr Chen (Founder of the Yidan Prize, Dr Charles Chen), Her Royal Highness Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands (Director of the Yidan Prize Foundation and Yidan Prize Summit Keynote Speaker), Ms Gillard (Yidan Prize Summit Keynote Speaker, Ms Julia Gillard), Mr Schleicher (Head of Yidan Prize for Education Research Judging Panel, Mr Andreas Schleicher), Ms Gordon (Head of Yidan Prize for Education Development Judging Panel, Ms Dorothy K Gordon), laureates, ladies and gentlemen,
Welcome to this year's Yidan Prize Awards Presentation Ceremony. This annual gathering for the Yidan Prize presentation, which I attended every year since its inception, is always a gratifying day for education, even though this year the event has to take place virtually due to the pandemic. Viewed from a screen, the ceremony may, at a glance, appear smaller or less significant. But the mission of the Yidan Prize is as ambitious today as when it was founded four years ago by Dr Charles Chen Yidan, and that's "to create a better world through education".
This year, the Yidan Prize's nine judges deliberated online across seven time zones, applying the same four criteria as always: that the nominations demonstrate future-oriented, innovative, transformative and sustainable efforts at the very highest levels of educational excellence. Our 2020 winners certainly reveal that.
Professor Carl Wieman, recipient of the Yidan Prize for Education Research, and a Nobel Prize winner in Physics, has transformed the way science is taught, and in so many ways. His Science Education Initiative and interactive, technology-based simulations come to mind. So, too, does his singular passion for STEM education and the research so essential to improving it, to helping us all make better decisions and live better lives.
Lucy Lake and Angeline Murimirwa, the winners of this year's Yidan Prize for Education Development, partner with communities in five African nations to bring the promise of inclusive education to marginalised girls and young women. Through their programme, Campaign for Female Education, they have helped millions of girls get an education. I'm pleased to add that they are also empowering young women to take their place in society as economically independent adults.
The pioneering efforts of Lucy Lake, Angeline Murimirwa and Professor Carl Wieman are helping inspire a new generation of educators. And I am confident that their trailblazing innovation and educational leadership will resonate here in Hong Kong. My Government shares the vision of the Yidan Prize. Through education, we hope to nurture young men and women who are socially responsible, who embrace a sense of national identity, an affection for Hong Kong and an international perspective. In short, the leaders we will count on to ensure a flourishing, sustainable and inclusive Hong Kong.
My sincere gratitude to Dr Chen, and all those associated with the Yidan Prize, for encouraging world-class educational research and development, and for celebrating the visionaries who make it happen. Thank you for bringing the promise of quality and rewarding education to all.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased and honoured to present this year's Yidan Prizes.
Ends/Monday, December 7, 2020
Issued at HKT 14:35
Issued at HKT 14:35
NNNN
