Hong Kong's Education Secretary Promotes Global Collaboration at International Summit in Iceland

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025

​The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, led a delegation of Hong Kong principals and education experts to attend the International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 in Reykjavík, Iceland, on March 25 (Reykjavík time) to discuss the latest trends in global education development with representatives from other regions. She also took the opportunity to promotethe advantages of Hong Kong as an international post-secondary education hub.

The Summit was co-organised by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Education International, the Ministry of Education and Children of Iceland, and the Icelandic Teachers' Union. Under the theme "Quality Education: The Key to Prosperity and Well-being", the Summit this year brought together education ministers, teacher leaders and education experts from around the world to exchange views on the promotion of quality early childhood education, the provision of inclusive and supportive learning environments, and a child-centred education system.

Speaking at the session on kindergarten education of the Summit, Dr Choi said that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) has implemented the Kindergarten Education Scheme since the 2017/18 school year to provide quality and highly affordable kindergarten education that meets the diverse needs of students. At present, among these kindergartens in Hong Kong, about 90 per cent of the half-day programmes are free of charge, while fees for whole-day programmes are maintained at a low level. The Scheme also enhances kindergarten education on various fronts, including upgrading teachers' professional qualifications, improving the teacher-student ratio, and supporting teachers' continuous professional development.

During the Summit, Dr Choi also met the Minister for Education, Training and Skills of South Australia, Mr Blair Boyer, to explore ways to promote education exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Australia, including introducing the various measures taken by the HKSAR Government to achieve a highly internationalised higher education sector in Hong Kong, and to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

On March 24 (Reykjavík time), Dr Choi attended a seminar of the Summit on exploring the frontiers of artificial intelligence in education with representatives from other regions. Speaking at the seminar, she said that, in line with the worldwide trend and the national direction of developing digital education, and to nurture innovation and technology (I&T) talent, the HKSAR Government will continue to promote digital education with a view to facilitating the use of I&T in empowering education, and enhancing students' digital literacy and skills.

She said that the relevant initiatives include setting up the Steering Committee on Strategic Development of Digital Education to gather collective wisdom and insights on promoting digital transformation of school education in Hong Kong; strengthening relevant professional training for teachers; optimising digital education infrastructure of schools; bolstering ties between local, Mainland or international I&T institutions and tertiary institutions; and organising the International Summit on the Use of AI in Learning and Teaching Languages and Other Subjects this year.

On the same day, Dr Choi met the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education and Children of Iceland, Ms Erna Kristín Blöndal, to discuss further education collaboration between Hong Kong and Iceland, and the latest developments in vocational and professional education and training (VPET). Dr Choi said that the HKSAR Government is committed to promoting VPET as a pathway parallel to conventional academic education, providing young people with quality, diversified, and multiple entry and exit pathways to further studies. The Government has been forging ahead with the development of universities of applied sciences, including allocating HK$100 million for the establishment of the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences to support post-secondary institutions to embark on joint promotion with the industries and stakeholders. She welcomed students from Iceland and other places to study in Hong Kong or participate in short-term student exchange programmes, and looked forward to further strengthening educational exchanges and co-operation between Hong Kong and Iceland.

In addition, she visited a local primary school to learn about the features of Icelandic education. She also paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Iceland, Mr He Rulong, to introduce Hong Kong's latest education policy.

Dr Choi will depart for Delhi, India, on March 27 (Delhi time) to attend the Asia-Pacific Association for International Education 2025 Conference and Exhibition.

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

SED attends International Summit on the Teaching Profession 2025 Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

HKSAR Government fully supports disaster relief for the earthquake in Myanmar

On March 28, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake occurred in Sagaing Region, Myanmar, resulting in serious casualties and infrastructure damage. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government expresses its deep sympathy to the people affected by the disaster and families of the deceased. The HKSAR Government sent a 51-strong search and rescue team to the quake-stricken areas in Myanmar this afternoon (March 29) to assist in the search and rescue work. In addition, the HKSAR Government has immediately reserved $30 million from the Disaster Relief Fund for emergency relief support.

The HKSAR Government is maintaining close contact with various rescue organisations regarding the detailed relief programmes with a view to providing appropriate relief assistance to the people affected and help them overcome difficulties and resume a normal life as soon as possible. The Disaster Relief Fund Advisory Committee will promptly process related funding applications from organisations.

In addition, the HKSAR Government has liaised with the Consul-General of Myanmar in Hong Kong, and will actively coordinate with various government bureaux/departments to collect the necessary relief supplies according to local needs, striving to deliver them to those in need as soon as possible to meet the current urgency.