The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
 
     The University Grants Committee (UGC) today (January 30) held the University Leadership Forum to introduce its initiatives to council members and management teams of the eight UGC-funded universities. Guest speakers also exchanged views on the development of higher education in Hong Kong.
      
     In his welcoming remarks, the Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui, said, "The Chief Executive announced in his last year's Policy Address to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education. In this regard, the UGC firmly believes that good institutional governance will enable more effective leadership in the development of the eight UGC-funded universities. It will also empower them to achieve greater international recognition and accomplishments in teaching and research, thereby fulfilling their responsibility in propelling Hong Kong's development."
      
     At the Forum, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, and the Permanent Secretary for Education, Ms Michelle Li, delivered keynote speeches on institutional governance and development of Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education respectively. Executive Council member Dr Moses Cheng; the Chairman of the Court of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Dr Andrew Liao; former President of the Hong Kong Institute of Education Professor Anthony Cheung; and UGC member and former Deputy Chairman of the Council of the Education University of Hong Kong, Mr Dieter Yih, participated in a panel discussion to share their insights about institutional governance and their views on the future development of higher education in Hong Kong.
      
     In addition, the Chairman of the Research Grants Council, Professor Wong Yuk-shan, and the Convener of the UGC's Sub-group on Institutional Development and Taught Programmes, Mr Philip Tsai, shared the objectives and future plans of the UGC in research and teaching. The Secretary-General of the UGC, Professor James Tang, provided a detailed account of the University Accountability Agreement. Their presentations allowed the university councils and management teams to gain insights into various important issues related to higher education.
      
     The UGC expressed sincere gratitude to more than 160 leaders of the higher education sector who attended the Forum for making it a great success.

Ends/Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Issued at HKT 18:58

NNNN