More chances for youths

The results of the new Hong Kong Diploma for Secondary Education were released on Thursday. According to statistics from the Hong Kong Examination and Assessment Authority, 26,431 of 70,000 students obtained the minimum requirement for acceptance to university degree courses. However, the number of available spaces at government subsidized universities was just 15,100. In addition there were a few thousand full-fee private courses. That means more than 10,000 qualified students will need to pay more for further studies, retake the test or look elsewhere for further education.

Local university places are in short supply. Hong Kong has eight universities and one institute of education that receive financial assistance every year. It will be a heavy burden on the government if it must use public money to increase the university places. Compared with Taiwan and Singapore, Hong Kong private universities started later and more slowly, but the establishment of private universities will be an important means to increase the places for students.

The 55,000 students who cannot go to universities this year could pursue further studies by applying for the associate degree programs and other diploma courses. However, these degree or diploma programs still need further integration and expansion, especially some of the associate degree programs. Some employers remain skeptical of these diplomas. If youths could learn some useful skills in these courses, there will be more employees with diversified skills ready for Hong Kong society. Thus, it is necessary to expand practical courses at the secondary school level to adapt to society's demand.

Lack of opportunities and experiences makes young people go to extremes. The new government should change the economic structure, so as to provide more career opportunities for the young generation. At the same time, the government needs to encourage the establishment of more private universities, accelerate the popularization of university education and expand the cover range of the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) to support young people.

For young candidates, no matter what life throws their way, they need to have a positive attitude and make room for the future.

This is an excerpted translation of a Wen Wei Po editorial published on July 20.

Chow Mou-fai

Book Fair grows bigger

The 2012 Hong Kong Book Fair (HKBF) opened on Thursday with much fanfare. As a major cultural event, the annual HKBF has always attracted big crowds. This year was no exception. This author is happy to notice the HKBF, while continuing to facilitate book sales and lectures by celebrated authors, is now transforming from an "industry gathering" into a "cultural exchange platform." It is geared to reach beyond the Convention and Exhibition Centre, beyond Wan Chai and beyond Hong Kong. It has taken on the role of promoting cultural development and fostering the habit of reading.

The popularity of the HKBF has been growing fast in recent years thanks to three favorable factors: (1) Hong Kong's unique historical, political and geographical elements make it an ideal place for exchanges among Hong Kong, the mainland, Taiwan as well as other Chinese-speaking regions and the rest of the world; (2) the city is blessed with a great hinterland in the Pearl River Basin, where more than 100 million people share similar heritage with surrounding cultures in Southeast Asia and East Asia; and (3) there are many people and institutions in Hong Kong working tirelessly to offer the HKBF useful suggestions and assistance. Local residents are willing to buy books they want to read and can afford, in order to refine their cultural tastes.

It is widely understood that extensive cooperation between the government and non-government organizations is vital to successful promotion of cultural events. The HKBF this year is an excellent example in this regard, as the organizers held many road shows to promote the book fair and 50 forums for reading enthusiasts to share their thoughts about new books and lectures by noted scholars and writers.

Needless to say, the HKBF must extend its reach beyond Hong Kong's boundaries if it wants to achieve greater significance in the region and even in the world. It is particularly important to enter the vast mainland market. It is comforting to see that the HKBF organizers ran multiple road shows in Guangzhou, Chengdu, Shenzhen and Taipei to raise local people's awareness of the Hong Kong-based event.

The author is a Hong Kong Commercial Daily staff writer. This is an excerpted translation of his commentary published on July 20.

(HK Edition 07/21/2012 page3)