The meeting today (7 January 2008) with the University Grants Committee (UGC)’s Review Group has provided the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) the opportunity to elaborate on how a University Title will enable it to play a more effective role in education development both locally and in the Region, its President said.

“This has been a useful and fruitful meeting. During today’s sessions there had been extensive exchange of views and we elaborated on many of our proposed strategies. We will continue to work closely with the Review Group during this review process,” Prof Anthony B.L. Cheung said.

The Review Group today held discussion sessions with the senior management on strategic directions, with academic staff on programmes and research, as well as the graduates and students on their learning experience.

This is the second meeting between the HKIEd’s senior management and the UGC’s Review Group since it was set up September last year to provide expert advice to the Government on the HKIEd’s Development Blueprint. The Development Blueprint outlines the major strategic thrusts and initiatives of HKIEd for the next decade, and highlights how a University Title could further bolster the Institute’s position to contribute to education development.

During the meeting, Prof Cheung said a University Title will mark a major milestone in The Hong Kong Institute of Education’s (HKIEd) journey towards becoming a leading player in education development, which will benefit our schools and students, as well as Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific Region.

“While the HKIEd is already performing well, a University Title will allow us to do better and play a more effective role locally and in the Region, and to put us on equal footing with other UGC-funded institutions, to help enhance Hong Kong’s competitive edge and attract quality staff and students,” he explained.

Education is vital to the knowledge era and creative human capital is vital for the growth of Hong Kong and the Region. For the benefit of the next generation, the Institute is fully committed to providing leadership in creative and innovative education, to promoting new pedagogy and curriculum reforms, and to grooming the best teachers with broad-based multi-disciplinary knowledge and cross-cultural experience, he added.

The Institute is also committed to conducting education research, policy studies, as well as to collaborate in building partnerships with other universities and schools.

(Please click the photo to get a higher resolution image)

Front row (from left): Professor Wong Yuk Shan, Mrs Pamela Chan Wong Shui, Mrs Stella Lau Kun Lai Kuen, Mr Irving Koo Yee Yin, Professor John Niland, Professor Anthony B.L. Cheung, Mr Michael Stone and Dr Robin Cheung Man Biu Second row (from left): Dr Lai Kwok Chan, Mr Chris Mong Chan, Professor Lee Wing On, Professor Kerry Kennedy and Professor Cheng Yin Cheong
	Convenor of the Review Group Professor John Niland and President of the HKIEd, Professor Anthony B.L. Cheung meet with the media before the meeting.

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