In spite of its short history, the Open University has already made a significant contribution to the human resource development of Hong Kong. This achievement is reflected not only by the vivid and encouraging stories of graduates who talk about how the University has transformed their lives, but also in hard facts and figures. One in every 47 people aged 15 or above in Hong Kong has studied with the OUHK. For every 58 residents of Hong Kong with tertiary qualifications, one of them is an OUHK graduate.

The OUHK is the only university in Hong Kong that is accessible to every adult and does not require students to have particular educational qualifications before they enrol. Our mission of 'Education for All' means that people who would like to go back to study at any stage of their lives can do so. All they need is an interest in and enthusiasm for learning. There are graduates who have gone on to postgraduate studies here or in other local or overseas universities. Many graduates have enhanced their chances of further career development with qualifications they have earned from the OUHK. Without the University's open access system, they would have been barred from any development in their academic or career ladder, with their potential and aspirations remaining untapped. The OUHK has not only given them a second chance but, more importantly, has turned them into valuable assets of Hong Kong.
 
18th meeting of the Council
 
 

I am delighted to see that the University has not only made its mark in Hong Kong, but also among its counterparts in the international education arena. Indeed many overseas adult and distance learning institutions have looked up to us as a model to follow, not just for achieving so much in so short a period of time, but also for doing so under a self-financing mandate.

The international community has given the OUHK a number of distinguished awards during the last few years. I would like in particular to congratulate President Prof. Tam Sheung-wai on receiving an honorary degree of Doctor of the University from the Open University in the UK and the 2002 Meritorious Service Award from the Asian Association of Open Universities during the year in recognition of his outstanding contribution to education.

It is also gratifying for me to highlight the substantial help that the OUHK receives from many philanthropists and corporations. Their generous donations have meant a lot to us not just in terms of money but also encouraging moral support, making us realize that we are not alone in the very meaningful work of making higher education accessible to every adult. In addition, more than 100 organizations have joined our Employer Support Study Scheme and provided support for their employees to study here.

  
Mr Charles Lee, President Prof. Tam Sheung-wai and the two officiating guests (Mr Wang Fengchao, Deputy Director of the Central Government's Liaison Office in the HKSAR; and Dr Lawrence Wong, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Jockey Club) cut the OUHK birthday cake together at the University's Anniversary Banquet.
 
 

Finally, I would like to thank our dedicated members of the Council who have given the University invaluable advice and guidance over the years. Many of them are community leaders or respected professionals in their fields. My gratitude goes in particular to Deputy Chairman Dr Philip Wu and three members – Prof. Ambrose King, Dr Lo Chi-kin and Mrs Cherry Tse – who retired during the year. In their places I would like to welcome our new Deputy Chairman Mr Stanley Ko – who has served on the Council since 1998 – and members Mr Thomas Chan, Mr Philip Chok, Mr Martin Lee and Prof. John Spinks.
 
Mr Lee with Deputy Chairman
Mr Stanley Ko.
 
 

The OUHK's stringent control of the quality of its academic programmes and exit standards of its graduates has led to widespread acceptance of the value of our qualifications. The University is already firmly established as an integral part of Hong Kong's tertiary education system. I hope more people will see the importance of lifelong learning as well as the significant role the OUHK is playing in helping turn Hong Kong into a knowledge-based economy.
 
 
 
Charles Lee Yeh-kwong
Council Chairman
June 2003
 
 
 
2002-2003 OUHK Annual report