The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) celebrated the 10th anniversary of its retitling at a banquet recently, reflecting on a decade of growth and looking ahead to its next chapter.
Held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme "A Decade of Excellence, A New Chapter for the Future of Education", the event brought together more than 600 government officials, education leaders, community figures, faculty, students and alumni.
The banquet looked back on EdUHK's teacher education heritage, tracing its roots to Hong Kong's first government normal school, established in 1881.
It also reviewed the university's development since its retitling from the Hong Kong Institute of Education in 2016, highlighting its expansion of academic programs, research activities and international partnerships, support for elite student-athletes, and campus expansion into the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Addressing the gathering, Hong Kong's Chief Secretary for Administration Eric Chan Kwok-ki praised the university's alignment with government priorities.
"Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan places priority on the integrated development of education, technology and talent. I am pleased to note that EdUHK's strategy of 'Education Futures, Diverse Talents' matches perfectly with the government's long-term vision," Chan said.
He also highlighted EdUHK's contributions to the Northern Metropolis initiative and its growing connectivity with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
David Wong Yau-kar, chairman of the EdUHK Council, said the university has made progress in academic development, international recognition and regional cooperation over the past decade.
EdUHK will continue contributing to Hong Kong's development as an international education and talent hub, he added.
EdUHK President John Lee Chi-kin said the university has developed into a multidisciplinary institution through academic expansion, research and international engagement.
Amid rapid advances in technology and artificial intelligence, Lee emphasized the university's mission "to keep education human, inclusive and hopeful, underpinned by proper values and virtues."
Other officiating guests at the event included Wang Jian, director-general of the Department of International Organizations and Conferences at the Office of the Commissioner of China's Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong SAR; Chris Tang Ping-keung, Hong Kong's secretary for security; Jeff Sze Chun-fai, Hong Kong's acting secretary for education; and Tim Lui, chairman of the University Grants Committee, alongside EdUHK's founding and former council chairmen and members of its senior management.
During the banquet, EdUHK thanked the Tin Ka Ping Foundation, the D. H. Chen Foundation and the Wilson and Helena Pong Foundation for a combined donation of HK$50 million ($6.4 million) to support the university's anniversary initiatives and student development.
At the event, EdUHK presented commemorative gifts to seven honorary award recipients for their contributions to education and the advancement of society. They included honorary doctorate recipients Ambrose King Yeo-chi, Starry Lee Wai-king and Jeffrey Pfeffer, as well as honorary fellows George Lau Ka-keung, Mei Ng Fong Siu-mei, Jimmy Ng Wing-ka and Irons Sze.
Contact the writers at effiezhang@chinadailyapac.com
