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UK Ministerial Delegation Visits HKU

11 May 2006

Bill Rammell MP, Britain's Minister of State for Lifelong Learning, Further Education and Higher Education led a delegation of 11 UK representatives to visit HKU today, for an exchange of views on higher education with the University's Senior Management.

HKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lap-Chee Tsui gave an overview of the university education in Hong Kong, internationalization of local universities and the challenges ahead as well as the future development of local universities and HKU. The meeting lasted for an hour.

HKU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Lap-Chee Tsui said in the meeting, "HKU is very honoured to welcome the Minister and the representatives of higher education from the UK. It provides a unique opportunity for us to discuss important issues which are of common concerns to universities in HK and the UK. HKU has long established cooperation with universities in the UK, we collaborate with more than 30 UK universities and institutions in more than 15 disciplines for over 80 research projects, of which 13 projects are currently funded by RGC-UK scheme. Besides, the University has 16 exchange partners with over 60 incoming and outgoing students on exchange programs with universities in the UK in this academic year, and 10 UK students studying full-time at HKU for bachelor, masters and doctorate programmes. We also signed an agreement to partner with London Business School. I hope the meaningful discussions today will bring about an even closer cooperation between Hong Kong universities and universities in the UK in future."

Following the meeting, the Delegation met with a group of HKU students, including UK students coming to HKU for full time programmes, HK students who have been gone on exchange programmes to the UK and other countries, and local students who wish to pursue studies in the UK. In the sharing session, the delegation gained an understanding of the choice of countries for students pursuing overseas studies and the problems they encountered. Some UK students said they were attracted to study in HK because of their love for Chinese culture but suggested British students to attend basic Cantonese lessons before they arrive to avoid communication problems. Some HK students said they chose the UK because of its culture and the English speaking environment. In general, HK students on exchange to the UK and UK students coming to study in HK all considered their decisions as correct and the experiences valuable.

On the same occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between HKU and King's College London which aims to encourage co-operation in all disciplines, promote exchanges of students, staff and scholars. The agreement formally builds on links that have been long established between the two institutions. Signing the agreement were Professor Keith Hoggart, Vice Principal of King's College London, and Prof. Lap-Chee Tsui, HKU Vice-Chancellor, in the presence of the Minister, the delegation and Dr. Abraham Lue, Assistant Vice Principal Emeritus, King's College London.

For media enquiries, please contact Ms. Cherry Cheung, Senior Press Officer, HKU at 2859 2606.

Members of UK ministerial delegation:
• Timothy Roter – DƒES (Department of Education & Skills), Minister's Private Secretary
• Andrew Battarbee - Deputy Director DƒES HE policy
• Michael Harloe - Vice Chancellor Salford University
• Nicola Savage - DƒES Press Officer
• Sir Colin Campbell - Vice Chancellor Nottingham University
• Professor Drummond Bone - President, UUK; Vice Chancellor Liverpool University
• Dorothy Jones - Principal Southwark College
• Winifred Normington - Director Joint International Unit
• Marie Niven - Deputy Director, International Relations, DƒES
• Anthony Halpin - Education Editor, The Times

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