[Ruby Jubilee Celebration]
“The Future of Hong Kong Education” Forum

The captioned forum, a signature event celebrating the Faculty’s 40^th anniversary, was held on December 13, 2024. It brought together educators, students, policymakers, and community members for discussions on the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of education in Hong Kong.

The forum was graced by the presence of Dr Sze Chun Fai Jeff, Under Secretary for Education, Education Bureau of the HKSAR, and Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU. In Professor Zhang’s welcome remarks, he highlighted the Faculty’s distinguished history of delivering world-class education programmes and nurturing outstanding graduates. Dr Sze, in his opening address, commended the Faculty for its remarkable contributions to advancing education in Hong Kong over the past four decades and stressed the importance of the role that teachers play in shaping students’ future.

The first presentation “Future of Hong Kong Education: Personal Reflections” was delivered by Professor Lee Chi Kin John, President and Chair Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at The Education University of Hong Kong. He emphasised the needs to enhance curricula in alignment with social development and to nurture students with strong virtues.

The second presentation “Evidence-Based Reform in Education: Transforming Educational Practice and Research” was delivered by Professor Cheung Chi Keung Alan, Chair and Professor of the Department of Educational Administration and Policy at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. He pointed out that the integration of technology and innovative pedagogies would further amplify the importance of evidence-based practices in the future of education.

Professor Yang Rui, Dean of Education at HKU, presented on the topic “Addressing the Is-Ought Gap in Hong Kong Education”. He highlighted the disparity between current educational practices and the ideal vision for the future of education, advocating for values-based education that incorporates both Eastern and Western values.

Following the presentations, Professor Cheng Kai Ming, Emeritus Professor of the Faculty, moderated a dynamic discussion. The speakers engaged in a lively exchange of ideas, emphasising that while technology is essential, core values of education remain irreplaceable.

This event offered a unique platform for fostering meaningful dialogues and showcased the commitment of the Faculty to driving educational innovation and excellence in Hong Kong and beyond.