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Leading a delegation from Hong Kong, the Secretary for Education (SED), Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, launched his official visit to Singapore today (July 29).
At a reception hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Singapore (HKETO), the SED met and spoke to a group of university students from Hong Kong undertaking internships in Singapore.
In addition to giving the students words of encouragement, Mr Ng took the opportunity to announce the ASEAN Internship for University Students of Hong Kong Scheme, a new initiative to be launched in summer 2014.
"Being a cosmopolitan city in Asia, Hong Kong needs to strengthen its connection with different countries and places in the region and foster a new generation with broadened horizons and international perspectives," he said.
"The new scheme can enhance the bilateral relationship between ASEAN member countries and Hong Kong. It will also provide students with invaluable experiences relating to workplaces as well as the economic and socio-cultural environments in the countries."
The ASEAN Internship for University Students of Hong Kong Scheme is initiated by the HKETO. A total of 20 organisations in ASEAN member countries have already confirmed participation, and another 20 or so are actively considering joining the Scheme.
In Singapore, Mr Ng also met with the Minister for Education, Mr Heng Swee Keat, and the Director-General of Education, Ministry of Education, Ms Ho Peng, to exchange views on a wide range of education issues, such as kindergarten education, teacher training and the New Senior Secondary academic structure of Hong Kong.
The delegates paid a visit to Soka Kindergarten to look into the provision of kindergarten education in Singapore. They also visited the Temasek Polytechnic and met with representatives of the Academy of Principals (Singapore) to learn about the provision of training and professional development for teachers and principals in the country.
Member of the delegation and Chairman of the Committee on Free Kindergarten Education Dr Moses Cheng said, "Since their inception in April this year, the Committee and its sub-committee have held more than 10 meetings to deliberate on the practicable implementation of free kindergarten education. The visit can help members draw reference from overseas experience in considering related issues."
Other members of the delegation include sub-committee conveners of the Committee on Free Kindergarten Education; the Deputy Secretary for Education, Mrs Betty Ip; and the Administrative Assistant to the SED, Mr Kenneth Cheng.
Ends/Monday, July 29, 2013
Issued at HKT 17:35
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