Speech by FS at opening ceremony of WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 (with photos/video)
Following is the speech by the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, at the opening ceremony of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 today (October 7):
Mr Fraccari (President of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), Mr Riccardo Fraccari), Andrew (President of the Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China, Mr Andrew Fan), Wilfred (Chairman of the Major Sports Events Committee, Mr Wilfred Ng), Winnie (Head of Charities (Culture, Sports and Community Engagement) of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Ms Winnie Yip), players and fans, ladies and gentlemen,
I'm delighted to join you for the opening ceremony of the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024.
Baseball5 is a whole new ballgame, folks. The first Baseball5 World Cup took place just two years ago, in Mexico City. And Hong Kong, I'm pleased to say, is hosting the World Cup's second edition over the next six days, right here at Central Harbourfront, with the spectacular Victoria Harbour as the backdrop.
This event splendidly illustrates how sports can be seamlessly woven into the fabric of our city. It brings Baseball5 to the heart of Hong Kong, allowing players, residents and visitors to enjoy the games against the city's skyline. At the same time, it brings Hong Kong once again to a world of audience, who are watching the games here live and through broadcast across the globe.
As you can see, Hong Kong is as vibrant, energetic and welcoming as ever.
Speaking of Baseball5, its beauty is its streamlined, fast-paced mix of traditional baseball and softball, with more than a little handball tossed in. Yes, you whack the ball with your bare hand, fist, wrist or arm. There are no gloves, bats or pitchers in this urban street game in a hurry. And it can be played almost anywhere, though I wouldn't recommend the family living room. It's a bouncy rubber ball, after all.
The fast, flexible nature of Baseball5 brings to mind the spirit of Hong Kong - efficiency, resilience, resourcefulness and fleet-footed adaptability - qualities that have shaped Hong Kong into the thriving city it is today.
The World Cup has been awarded the "M" Mark status by our Major Sports Events Committee, and for good reason.
The international tournament brings together 12 teams from five continents. And Hong Kong, China, ladies and gentlemen, is among them. Speaking of men and women, this is a mixed game: eight players on a team, four men and four women. Of course, boys and girls are playing Baseball5, too - in Hong Kong and all over the world.
And the game is gaining popularity. I'm pleased to learn that the number of teams participating in the next edition of the World Cup will be expanded, and that it will be featured for the first time in the Youth Olympic Games in 2026.
My thanks to WBSC, and the Baseball Association of Hong Kong, China, for organising this world-class event and putting a bright spotlight on Hong Kong as the region's sports and entertainment capital.
I'm also grateful to the Hong Kong Jockey Club, whose financial support has made this spectacular sporting event possible. And my thanks, too, to all the volunteers and sponsors involved.
I wish the WBSC Baseball5 World Cup resounding success. And all our overseas players, fans and friends an unforgettable stay in Hong Kong, on and off the field.
Ladies and gentlemen, beyond this glamourous harbour, Hong Kong has so much to offer, so much for you to explore. For example, over 200 Michelin-recommended restaurants, food stalls on the streets, the breath-taking hiking trails in the countryside, and stunning outlying islands. Don't miss this opportunity. Enjoy Hong Kong.
Now, let's play ball. Thank you very much.
Speech by FS at opening ceremony of WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
Speech by FS at opening ceremony of WBSC Baseball5 World Cup 2024 (with photos/video) Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2024 UGC Teaching Award honours excellent teachers
The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
The University Grants Committee (UGC) held a presentation ceremony for the 2024 UGC Teaching Award today (October 7) to honour academics from the UGC-funded universities for their outstanding teaching performance and achievements, as well as their leadership and scholarly contributions to teaching and learning within and outside their campuses.
Through a rigorous process, the Award Selection Panel selected the following three recipients from among over 20 outstanding nominees for the Award:
General Faculty Members
--------------------------------
Dr Kristen Li Yuanxi, Lecturer, Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)
Early Career Faculty Members
--------------------------------------
Ms Anna Qin Lai-yin,Assistant Dean (Teaching and Learning) and Assistant Professor, Academy of Visual Arts, School of Creative Arts, HKBU
Collaborative Teams
--------------------------------------
Holistic Competency and Virtues Education Team led by Professor Cecilia Chan Ka-yuk (Professor, Teaching and Learning Innovation Centre; Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong (HKU)), with Professor Albert Ko Wing-yin (Director of Service-Learning, Lingnan University), Professor Ben Chan Yui-bun (Associate Dean of Students and Associate Director of Center for Engineering Education Innovation, the Hong Kong University Science and Technology), Dr Theresa Kwong Fuk-ning (Director, Centre for Holistic Teaching and Learning, HKBU) and Professor Samson Tse Shu-ki (Dean of Student Affairs, HKU) as team members.
The citations of the awardees are in the Annex.
The Chairman of the UGC, Mr Tim Lui, congratulated the awardees, finalists, and nominees on their remarkable achievements and expressed gratitude to all UGC-funded universities for their support for the UGC Teaching Award. He said, "Teaching is a timeless mission, and the UGC cannot emphasise enough that this is also the cornerstone of the global reputation of our higher education sector. The UGC shall continue to devote priority and additional resources to support pedagogical innovation and teaching excellence as we strive to develop Hong Kong into an international hub for post-secondary education."
The Chair of the 2024 UGC Teaching Award Selection Panel andmember of the UGC, Mr Philip Tsai, remarked, "The panel was deeply satisfied that all awardees have demonstrated exceptional acumen and passion for teaching. Dr Li is an innovative educator who skilfully combines educational design with cutting-edge technologies. Ms Qin equips students with real-world design skills while connecting them to meaningful community initiatives. The Holistic Competency and Virtues Education Team enriches the professional development of educators through impactful cross-institutional programmes and the establishment of a Community of Practice. They all truly deserve the prestigious honour as ambassadors of good teaching."
The presentation ceremony was attended by members of the UGC and the Quality Assurance Council under it, council chairmen and senior management from the UGC-funded universities, as well as nominees for the Awards. Attendees also applauded the spectacular achievements of the Hong Kong Teaching Excellence Alliance under the leadership of its Chair, Professor Isabella Poon, over the past six years, and welcomed Dr Julia Chen as the new leader of this inter-institutional body dedicated to propagating the impact of the Teaching Award.
The UGC has also produced a series of short video clips to promote best practices by showcasing the teaching approaches of the 2024 UGC Teaching Award recipients. The clips, together with the selection criteria and the composition of the Selection Panel, as well as the list of other finalists, are available on the UGC website www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/ugc/activity/ugc_teaching_award/result.html.
2024 UGC Teaching Award honours excellent teachers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2024 UGC Teaching Award honours excellent teachers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
2024 UGC Teaching Award honours excellent teachers Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
