21 March
2006
The Hong Kong Institute
of Education (HKIEd) attracted $11 million donations to
support the establishment of the Centre for Religious and
Spirituality Education, which is the first of its kind
in teacher education institutions in Hong Kong.
The donations are from four main religious organisations.
Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui gave the first donation of $2
million, followed by The Hong Kong Catholic Diocese, Sik
Sik Yuen and Ching Chung Taoist Association who each have
donated $3 million.
In a donation presentation and lunch with The Most Reverend
Dr. Peter Kong-kit Kwong and Mr. Timothy Ha Wing Ho, MBE,
JP, Education Secretary of the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui
today (21 March 2006), HKIEd President Professor Paul Morris
expressed gratitude to Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui and the
other religious bodies who had made donations for their
forthcoming support.
Prof. Morris said: “We are
very glad to have received this generous support. It
will enable the timely establishment
of the Centre and the introduction of religious and spirituality
courses within the General Education Domain starting from
September 2006, as part of the core curriculum of the Bachelor
of Education programme.”
“What’s more encouraging, responses from the
religious community have been very positive and we hope
to hear more affirmative replies soon,” He remarked.
The proposed Centre is the first of its kind in teacher
education among the UGC-funded institutions in Hong Kong,
offering elective courses on the beliefs of the major world
religions represented in Hong Kong, as well as curriculum
and pedagogy for religious education across religions.
Apart from equipping future teachers
with the necessary pedagogical knowledge in religious
and spirituality education,
the Centre also aims to promote inter-religion and inter-cultural
understanding, respect, appreciation and harmony among
all pupils in a pluralistic society,” said Professor
Bernard Luk, Vice President (Academic), who initiated the
establishment of the Centre.
“Further to the provision of recognised and accredited
courses on the religious and spirituality subjects in Hong
Kong schools, the Centre will provide a broad base for
disseminating research work and endeavour to become a recognised
centre of excellence both locally and internationally.” added
Prof. Luk.
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Prof Paul Morris (Second
Left) and Prof Bernard Luk (Right) received a $2 million
cheque from The Most Reverend Dr Peter Kwong (Second
Right) and Mr. Timothy Ha Wing-ho, MBE, JP (Left) |
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Prof Paul Morris (Second Left) presented
The Most Reverend Dr Peter Kwong (Second Right) with
a souvenir |
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Group photo at HKIEd campus in February
2006: Cardinal Zen, Ze-kiun Joseph SDB (Fourth Right),
Ms Woo Lo-ming Alice (middle), Prof Paul Morris (Third
Right) and Prof Bernard Luk (Second Right) |
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For enquiries, please
call Mr Deric Tso on 2948 8468 / 9259 1021.
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