Thomas K Leung, BBS, JP Chairman of the Council

It is a pleasure to once again be preparing this Foreword, the fifth since I assumed office as Chairman of the Council in April 2003. 2006-07 was a year filled with challenges for the Institute and will go down in history as a watershed year, as we move forward to make an even greater contribution to education in Hong Kong.

During the year, the Council made many major decisions and significant moves, providing new impetus for the further development of the Institute.

In March, Council Members, senior management, staff and student representatives came together in a retreat, to explore how the Institute would move forward. A work group comprising representatives from across the Institute was formed to take on the task of addressing education in the new era marked by globalisation and the needs of a knowledge-based economy. I commend the Work Group for their efforts in this undertaking, culminating in the HKIEd's future Development Blueprint outlining the aspirations, commitment, positioning and future development of the Institute in the years ahead.

On 28 June 2007, I as Council Chairman, together with senior management, staff and student representatives, submitted the Development Blueprint and the Institute's application for university title, to the then Permanent Secretary for Education and Manpower, Mr Raymond Wong. I am delighted to report that the Blueprint is now under active consideration by the University Grants Committee.

Another major move was made at the Council meeting of 25 January 2007 when the Council decided to launch a global recruitment exercise to appoint a new President.

After a rigorous eight-month search, the Council moved to appoint Professor Anthony Cheung as the next President in its meeting held on 27 September 2007. The appointment was preceded by staff and student forums, where Professor Cheung shared his vision of the Institute. With a distinguished academic career in public administration, his high regard in the community as well as his vast experience both in tertiary education and in public service, Professor Cheung's appointment was highly welcomed by the Council, staff and students alike. He will assume office in January 2008.

In addition to Professor Cheung's appointment, the Council also welcomed other senior management members on board. In January 2007, Mr Chris Mong was appointed as Vice President (Administration) and in May, Professor Lee Wing-on, a former senior academic staff member, returned to the Institute as Vice President (Academic).

During the year, issues on academic and institutional autonomy were at the forefront of public attention. The Council fully recognises that such freedoms form an indisputable and uncompromising part of the Institute's core values. We accordingly stated this publicly in an open statement on 7 February 2007. This principle will continue to be strictly adhered to in the years to come.

In conclusion, I would like to extend my thanks to retiring and departing Council Members; Miss Margaret Wong, Mrs Sylvia Cheung, Professor Bernard Luk, and Messrs Chan Wing-kwong, MH, Cheung Pak-hong, BBS and Norman Ngai. I also take this opportunity to welcome new Council Members, Professor Edmond Ko, Professor Leslie Lo and Mrs Lydia Lam. I must also thank my fellow Council Members for their commitment and dedication in making the many significant decisions in the interest of the Institute during this eventful year. With their wise counsel and the leadership of the senior management, I am fully confident that the Institute will move on to scale new heights.

Thomas K Leung, BBS, JP
Chairman of the Council