It is with great personal satisfaction and a strong sense of responsibility that I took up the chairmanship of the Council of the Open University of Hong Kong, a unique institution of higher learning with two decades of success behind it.
I have the utmost appreciation and admiration for my predecessor, Dr the Hon Charles Lee Yeh-kwong, who made distinguished and profound contributions to the growth and development of the University. His leadership and vision have enabled our University to overcome numerous challenges during its critical years of development.
When I took up office as Council Chairman, I adopted ‘New Thinking; New Horizons’ as the guiding principle for the University’s future direction, as well as for the expectations we must have for ourselves to enhance the development of our programmes and services and to meet the needs of our students.
Members of the University Council
Educational institutions such as the OUHK have an essential role to play in helping current and future generations to meet the challenges arising from the momentous changes across the globe, from the complexities surrounding the financial crisis to the environmental and social implications of dwindling or threatened resources. In addition, Hong Kong must become a knowledge-based society if it is to maintain its present status as a global city. The OUHK’s mission to deliver lifelong learning opportunities is more relevant now than ever before.。
Ever since its establishment, the OUHK’s mission has been to offer higher education to the public, irrespective of age or educational background. We have championed and maintained our commitment to continuous learning with our flexible teaching modes and ever-evolving delivery streams. As we witness the University’s passage into its third decade, we are pleased to see that we have made available learning opportunities to 160,000 people from varied backgrounds and age groups, from Hong Kong and beyond. Many of our students have had to overcome challenges and hardship to acquire the academic qualifications and competencies needed to succeed. Their achievements have not only benefited themselves but also their families and the community at large.
I am most grateful for the continuous support extended to the University by our staff, students and the public. Good governance and prudent financial management have also been essential ingredients in our success to date. It is my sincere hope that the University will receive even greater support from the Government and our community. We will continue to identify more opportunities to meet the education needs in Hong Kong, mainland China and beyond, championing quality education for all those who wish to benefit from it.
