SED visits UK to exchange views on latest education developments (with photos)
26.1.2024

The Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, visited London, the United Kingdom (UK), from January 21 to 25 (London time), to meet various representatives from the education sector and exchange views on the latest developments in education. On January 21 (London time), Dr Choi met Consultant of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) Mr Martin Ripley to explore the latest developments in curriculum design and assessment methods, and how PISA data can be better used for enhancing learning and teaching effectiveness, and strengthening students' mastery of knowledge and skills essential for the future. On January 22 (London time), Dr Choi visited the Centre for Continuing Professional Development of the Imperial College London to learn about its professional development resources and related training programmes for teachers. She also called on the Minister of State for Schools at the Department for Education, Mr Damian Hinds, to discuss the education developments in Hong Kong and the UK. She then met Hong Kong students in the UK to know about their studies in the UK. On January 23 (London time), Dr Choi visited the Times Higher Education (THE), the organisation that publishes the THE World University Rankings, to understand the developments and challenges of the international higher-education sector and study the advantages and features of Hong Kong's higher education. She also visited a local girls' secondary school to observe its class activities, listen to an introduction of its promotion of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and share Hong Kong's experience in implementing STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics) education. On January 24 (London time), Dr Choi visited the Institution of Engineering and Technology to learn about the latest developments of curriculum design for STEM education and explore the opportunities to further enhance collaboration. In addition, she paid a courtesy call to the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Mr Zheng Zeguang, and briefed him on the latest education developments of Hong Kong. She also met member of the University Grants Committee (UGC) Professor David Cardwell, member of the Quality Assurance Council of the UGC Professor Chris Husbands, and member of the Research Grants Council of the UGC Professor Miles Padgett, to thank them for their continuous concerns about and valuable advice on Hong Kong's higher education. She also talked about the latest developments in building Hong Kong into an international education hub and discussed with them further exchanges and co-operation between higher-education institutions in Hong Kong and the UK. On January 25 (London time), Dr Choi toured the British Educational Training and Technology Show by invitation to learn about the education technology and innovative solutions presented by various exhibitors. More than 200 students and teachers from some 30 secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong participated in the exhibition this year to showcase their exhibits of STEAM and coding education. Dr Choi chatted with the Hong Kong teachers and students to know about the design concepts of their exhibits. She expressed appreciation for the schools' wide application of innovation and technology (IT) in teaching. By participating in the exhibition, teachers and students are not only broadening their exposure, but also demonstrating the successful experience of Hong Kong schools in IT education with other regions. Later, Dr Choi spoke in a panel session together with representatives from the education sectors and education technology enterprises of Hong Kong and the UK. She shared with participants the latest developments and edges of Hong Kong's education, including building Hong Kong into an international education hub and how to nurture talent in the digital era for the challenges and opportunities arising from the rapid transformation of technology and changes. She pointed out that technology has become an integral part of daily lives, and harnessing its potential in education has become a world trend. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has invested a lot of resources in implementing comprehensive strategies to facilitate e-learning and leverage IT for enhanced learning and teaching effectiveness. She stressed that nurturing talent in the digital era is not just about enabling students to grasp the current technology for the future, but also inspiring their interest and ability to innovate and create. At the same time, the Government will continue to support higher-education institutions in conducting high-quality research and international exchanges, and embracing the opportunities presented by artificial intelligence in a bid to equip the younger generation for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Dr Choi will begin her visit to Helsinki, Finland, on January 26 (Helsinki time).