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The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, received in Hong Kong today (October 16) the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws awarded by the University of the West of England (UWE), Bristol.
The award is to recognise Professor Li's outstanding contributions to the development of higher education in Hong Kong. It is also in appreciation of his extensive experience in managing large and complex academic institutions, and his determination to strive for excellence in academic and professional work.
Sir Howard Newby, Vice-Chancellor of the UWE, said, "Professor Li has made outstanding contributions to widening participation and providing educational opportunities for people who traditionally did not enter higher education in Hong Kong and this commitment mirrors the UWE's widening participation strategy."
Professor Li was very pleased to have received this distinguished honour from the UWE. He said, "The UWE is one of the leading institutions in the world. It shares our vision that a diverse and flexible post-secondary education system is the key to preparing our people for a knowledge-based economy."
The Honourable Leung Chun-ying, who is an Honorary Doctor of Business Administration of the UWE, said in his oration that although Professor Li was trained as a medical doctor, he decided to become the first Secretary for Education and Manpower of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the new ministerial system because he wished to put quality back to education, for the benefit of not just individual patients or student doctors, but the entire generation of young Hong Kong people. Mr Leung also said that education reforms were not without opposition, and yet Professor Li had steered them through with tact, conviction and tenacity and had laid a solid foundation for the most challenging government policy portfolio.
Ends/Monday, October 16, 2006
Issued at HKT 18:49
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