Address by Dr. Alice Lam, JP, Chairman, University Grants Committee at The Hong Kong Institute of Education Open Day on 25 November 2000

Council Chairman, Professor Hayhoe, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

It is my great pleasure to be here today as guest of honour at the Hong Kong Institute of Education's Open Day 2000. At this biennial event and the first in the new millennium, may I, on behalf of the UGC, congratulate the Council, the Director, staff, students, parents and the Organizing Committee for their remarkable efforts.

As I said at the official opening of the Institute's new Town Centre early this month, quality teachers are pivotal to the success of the various education reform initiatives now being implemented. The Institute's modern and well equipped campus here in Tai Po is proof of the Government's strong commitment to teacher education. You have a vital role to play in turning Hong Kong into a knowledge-based society capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century.

In his third Policy Address announced last month, the Chief Executive emphasised educational reform as a major and long term task. The next few years will be focused on reforming curricula and teaching methods, improving the assessment and examination systems as well as increasing learning opportunities at and above the senior secondary level. At the centre of all these bold initiatives is the availability of committed and well-trained teachers and a new classroom culture. HKIEd, through its wide range of programmes for pre-service and in-service teachers, at pre-school, primary and secondary levels, is in a strong position to get these to a good start.

With an able and dedicated Council, a committed and energetic Director, a rapidly increasing pool of talented staff and strong support from the community, I am confident that the Institute will achieve its goal of "optimizing each child's potential through the shared joy of learning and teaching" and grow from strength to strength.

Thank you.