Government appoints new Chairman and five members to HKU Council
The Government today (November 27) announced that the Chief Executive, in his capacity as the Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong (HKU), appointed Mr Peter Wong Tung-shun as the Chairman of the HKU Council for a term of three years with effect from January 1, 2025.
The Chief Executive has also appointed five new members to the HKU Council: Mr Simon Li Tin-chui and Mr Irons Sze for a term of three years with effect from December 1, 2024; and Mr Rock Chen Chung-nin, Mr Wilfred Wong Kam-pui and Dr Samuel Yung Wing-ki for a term of three years with effect from January 1, 2025.
The HKU is a long-established and internationally renownedhigher education institution in Hong Kong. As one of the world's top 100 universities, the HKU is an esteemed Hong Kong institution and commands high expectations from both the Government and the public. With the terms of six members of the HKU Council expiring at the end of this year, the Chief Executive has decided to fill all six positions with new appointees to bring in a new outlook. The newly appointed members are all elites in the community, possessing outstanding capabilities and rich experience. The Chief Executive hopes that the new appointments will provide the HKU's governance with a new outlook and new impetus, begin a new chapter in governance, steer the HKU towards striving for excellence and provide fresh momentum to the university.
This June, the Government established a group composed of the Permanent Secretary for Education and the Chairman of the University Grants Committee to conduct investigations into and studies on the HKU's internal operational affairs, and to recommend improvement measures and good practices. The Chief Executive thanked the group for its unremitting efforts in co-ordinating the HKU's internal operations, enhancing communication, assisting in resolving issues, reaching a consensus, and achieving a positive outcome. The group will continue its work to facilitate collaboration between the new Council and the management for the continuous enhancement of the HKU's governance effectiveness.
Over the past few years, the incumbent Council Chairman and members have made consistent efforts in advancing the HKU's continuous development, as evidenced by the university's outstanding achievements in academic research. The HKU has reached a historical high in the global rankings by climbing nine places to 17th in the 2025 QS World University Rankings published by Quacquarelli Symonds, an international higher education organisation. It has excelled in nurturing social elites and future leaders for Hong Kong, the country and the world, and contributed significantly to Hong Kong's development into an international post-secondary education hub.
The Chief Executive expressed his gratitude to the outgoing Chairman of the HKU Council, Ms Priscilla Wong Pui-sze, and members Mr Jason Chiu, Ms Winnie Chiu Wing-kwan, Mr Ian Grenville Cross, Mr Abraham Shek Lai-him and Mr John Zhao for their work and efforts during their terms.
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing
The third National Security Education Study Tour organised by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government concluded and returned to Hong Kong this afternoon (April 3). This year's study tour was impressively large in scale, comprising 187 principals, teachers and students (including 17 non-Chinese speaking students) from 30 primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. Members of the study tour were primarily from the winning school teams, their coaching principals and teachers in the Territory-wide Inter-School National Security Knowledge Challenge, jointly organised by the Department of Justice, the Security Bureau, the Education Bureau and the Hong Kong Shine Tak Foundation.
The study tour departed for Beijing on March 28. The primary school group completed their tour and returned to Hong Kong on April 1, while the secondary school group proceeded to Nanjing on the same day and returned today. The Secretary General of the Committee for Safeguarding National Security of the HKSAR, Mr Au Chi-kwong, accompanied the study tour to Beijing on March 28, while the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, and the Chairman of the Hong Kong Shine Tak Foundation, Mr Lam Kwok-hing, joined the study tour on March 29. On March 30, members of the study tour were warmly received by the Deputy Director of the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council, Mr Nong Rong.
The itinerary included the study tour having been invited to ascend the viewing stands of the Tiananmen Square where they watched the national flag-raising ceremony with the military band playing music on April 1. They also visited the Great Wall at Juyongguan Pass, the Museum of the Communist Party of China, the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Exhibition Center, the China Science and Technology Museum, the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, the Jiangsu National Security Education Museum, and an enterprise, Nanjing Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. Additionally, the students engaged in exchange activities with teachers and students at the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China and Zhongguancun No.3 Primary School Science and Technology Park Campus, Beijing.
The students were fully engaged throughout the tour, not only actively participating in various activities but also proactively probing and boldly asking questions. Through their observations and learning, they have deepened their understanding of the country's development and national affairs, gained a better grasp of the significance of national security, and strengthened their sense of national identity and responsibility. During the school exchange, the students were captivated by the Mainland diverse and interactive teaching methods and were deeply touched by the enthusiasm of local students. After the exchange, they became friends and further exchanged contact information to develop their friendships.
Chiu, a student from Po Leung Kuk Tin Ka Ping Primary School, expressed that when visiting the Museum of the War of Chinese People's Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, she was deeply moved by the valour of our pioneers in fighting against the enemy whilst our country was under invasion. She said that she would certainly share her reflections with her friends and parents and looks forward to visiting the Museum again with her parents. Zhang, a student from Pui Kiu Middle School, recalling his viewing experience on the stands of the Tiananmen Square, expressed that watching the extra-large national flag rise gradually in the morning light, coupled with the imposing presence and resounding footsteps of the Guard of Honour, has given him a great sense of appreciation about the Motherland's strength and made him proud of being Chinese. Eiman, a non-Chinese-speaking student from Po Leung Kuk Ngan Po Ling College, noted that the study tour helped him realise that social stability and security are essential prerequisites for national development. He also reflected that other countries could look to China's development model as a reference for seeking happiness for their people.
Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan encouraged students to live by the exploratory spirit of combining reading and travelling, and to deepen their understanding of the history and the current state of the Motherland. He also called on the students to make the best use of the study tour to appreciate the country's history and cultures, its scientific and technological development, and current national affairs, in order that they can better equip themselves and contribute to the Motherland and Hong Kong in future.
Mr Au expected that students would grasp four key points during the tour: security is of paramount importance to any country; the Communist Party of China shoulders the mission of rejuvenating the Chinese nation; a holistic approach to national security should be fully implemented; and ensuring both development and security is of great importance. Mr Au hoped that students of the study tour, through field learning and exchange with the Mainland counterparts, would take pride in the country's latest development, feel proud of being Chinese, and strengthen their confidence and determination in safeguarding national security.
The HKSAR Government would like to express its sincere gratitude to the Hong Kong and Macao Work Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR and the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR for their wholehearted support, and also to the relevant authorities in Beijing and Nanjing for their warm hospitality. Thanks to them, members of the study tour returned with a wealth of enriching experiences, and the students have gained unforgettable and fond memories that will profoundly shape their personal growth.
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Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Third National Security Education Study Tour returns to Hong Kong after visiting Beijing and Nanjing Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
