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The new Island Learning Centre of the Open University
of Hong Kong (OUHK) is a project that epitomises the concerted efforts
of Government, the education sector and the community, according
to the University's Council Chairman the Hon Charles Lee.
Mr. Lee made the above remark today (Tuesday) during the Commissioning
Ceremony of the Centre which was attended by dignitaries of the
central and Hong Kong SAR governments as well as leaders from the
community.
The well-equipped Centre, located on the fourth floor of Shun Tak
Centre on Hong Kong Island, came to fruition after the pledge of
a $40 million donation from the Li Ka-shing Foundation -- the largest
personal donation ever received by the University. The Foundation
later topped up its sponsorship with a further $4 million to help
fit out the Centre's facilities to a high standard. Earlier, the
Centre had received a Government grant of $50 million and a pledge
of $15 million by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
In recognition of the $44-million donation towards the project,
the University re-named its Centre for Continuing and Community
Education as the Li Ka-shing Institute of Professional and Continuing
Education (LiPACE). The official naming ceremony, marked by button-pressing
and ribbon-cutting, was attended by Prof. Wei Yu, Vice Minister
of Education of the People's Republic of China, and Dr. Li Ka-shing,
Chairman of Li Ka-shing Foundation. They were joined by Secretary
for Education and Manpower Mrs. Fanny Law, Steward of The Hong Kong
Jockey Club the Hon Henry Tang Ying-yen, OUHK Council Chairman the
Hon Charles Lee and Deputy Chairman Dr. Philip Wu, and President
Prof. Tam Sheung-wai.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Li said, "In our fast-changing world,...Abundance
of capital or natural resources will no longer be sufficient. To
achieve a breakthrough we must also utilize advanced technology.
The information revolution has been the focus in the past decade.
The next decade may be dominated by the fields of biotechnology
and nanotechnology. The only thing that will keep us in step with
the times is our penchant for learning. The will to learn drives
forward social development, and knowledge is the light that leads
the way. A society that values knowledge will naturally produce
top-class people."
On the same occasion, the Jockey Club Computer Laboratory inside
the Centre was opened. Unveiling a commemorative plaque, the Hon
Henry Tang Ying-yen said, "The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust
has so far donated a total of $112 million to the University as
a support to its endeavour to serve adult learners with better learning
facilities. The University has attained significant growth over
the years. We are proud to have been able to play a part in helping
the worthy cause of the University to thrive."
Following the ceremony, Prof. Wei Yu delivered a lecture entitled
"Embracing the Challenges by Leaping Development of Education" which
outlined the forthcoming new measures to step up the development
of education in China through distance learning.
The 3,102 square-metre Island Learning Centre is within walking
distance from the Sheung Wan MTR station. It comprises 14 tutorial
rooms, a lecture theatre, a student lounge and a computer laboratory.
It can accommodate about 850 students at one time and meet 22 per
cent of the OUHK's space needs for tutorials and lectures.
Fitted with advanced teaching and learning facilities, the entire
Centre is connected to the campus network backbone of the OUHK by
fibre optics. The Jockey Club Computer Laboratory comprises three
PC cum language laboratories as well as an open-access computer
centre open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m..
Prof. Tam said the establishment of the Centre was an important
milestone in the University's development. Not only does it relieve
the University of the burden of hiring facilities elsewhere, the
place also provides adult learners with an ideal and improved learning
environment at a convenient location. In addition, it allows the
University sufficient room for expansion to cope with increasing
demand from potential learners.
Press Enquiries : Public Affairs Unit 2768 6355
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