Speech at 25th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service cum Kick-off Ceremony of Munsang College (Hong Kong Island)

Dr YUK, Dr YUNG, Mr LUI, Dr YIM, distinguished guests, parents, teachers and students,

   Good afternoon.  It is my pleasure to join you today at the Launching Ceremony to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Munsang College (Hong Kong Island) (the College).  I would like to extend my warmest congratulations on the remarkable achievements of the College and my heartfelt gratitude to all those who have made outstanding contributions to education and youth development over the years.

2.   Founded in 1999, the College has taken on a noble mission guided by the mottos “Light and Life” and “All for One, One for All”. Committed to providing an all-round education rooted in Christian principles, the College has endeavoured to instill a positive perspective on life in students, fostering self-motivation, determination and a sense of devotion to making valuable contributions to our society, our country and the world.  The unwavering dedication and tireless effort of all school members in fulfilling this mission, along with their steadfast commitment to quality education in Hong Kong, are truly commendable.

3.   I am delighted to note the many commonalities between the Education Bureau and the College. First, the College shares our belief in the crucial role of values education in fostering students’ whole-person development.  The school places paramount importance on students’ well-being and emphasising resilience as a key attribute of life.  Through a broad array of engaging programmes, the College actively cultivates a growth mindset among students, nurturing their resilience to navigate adversity, empowering them to seize challenges as opportunities, and igniting their passion to contribute to the betterment of the community. 

4.   Similarly, the Education Bureau is promoting the implementation of values education across curricular domains. As Hong Kong is an international city with a rich heritage of Chinese culture and close connection with the world founded upon the One Country Two Systems principle, We have unparalleled advantages in promoting values education underscoring Chinese culture as the backbone whilst distilling the essence from other cultures and religions.  Specifically, we encourage schools to nurture in students twelve priority values and attitude, namely Perseverance, Respect for others, Empathy, Benevolence, Diligence, Responsibility, Commitment, Integrity, Law-abidingness, Unity, Filial Piety and last but not least, National Identity.  We will organise a multitude of Chinese culture immersion activities and enrich the contents of the Values Education Curriculum Framework.  As announced in the Chief Executive’s 2023 Policy Address, we will strengthen the training for Constitution and Basic Law Student Ambassadors and enhance their learning experiences in Chinese History.  It is gratifying to note that the College has been a strong advocate and supporter of our initiatives.  The school’s enthusiastic participation in our Pupil Ambassador Scheme, for instance, has not only fostered a positive attitude towards life among its students but has also created an environment of care and compassion on campus.  This serves as an inspiring example of how schools can actively contribute to the holistic development of students and reinforce the core values that shape our society.

5.   Secondly, both EDB and the College have shared vision to promoting innovation and technology education and equip students with the necessary 21st-century competencies. EDB has put in place a raft of supportive measures to create a conducive atmosphere for students’ learning of science and technology.  These include enriching the STEAM-related curriculum, strengthening teacher training, and providing extensive educational resources on STEAM.  In the 2023/24 school year, we have launched the STEAM Learning Modules designed to enrich student’s science learning experiences.  I am pleased to learn that the College shares the same vision and shows unswerving support by thoroughly integrating STEAM education into its curriculum.  In addition, the College has been proactive in offering a comprehensive technology education curriculum to junior forms, ensuring that students receive an early exposure to a wide spectrum of STEAM learning elements.  By engaging in diverse STEAM learning programmes and activities that stimulate critical thinking and ignite creativity, students at the College have the opportunity to unlock their potential in innovation and technology throughout a fruitful learning process.  This proactive approach exemplifies an unflinching commitment to shouldering the responsibility of nurturing talent for Hong Kong and our Motherland.  The College’s immense efforts in developing students’ information technology (IT) skills and knowledge, as well as enhancing students’ information literacy, truly deserve our recognition.

6.   I am impressed by the College’s earnest endeavours to stay at the forefront of educational trends. In response to students’ growing needs to acquire knowledge in using, interpreting and developing the emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the school has pioneered a curriculum that combines programming and AI concepts to provide students with hands-on learning experiences through an array of engaging and enlightening AI activities.  The remarkable accomplishments of the students at the College in various STEAM and IT competitions stand as a testament to the school’s strong dedication to promoting AI education on campus.  I firmly believe that students will thrive in the College’s supportive environment, which encourages innovation and embraces the opportunities brought by the digital age.

7.   Dear students, I encourage you to seize every opportunity that comes your way. And I sincerely urge you to embrace and uphold the values encapsulated in your school motto “Light and Life”.  Let this motto serve as your beacon, illuminating your path of life-long learning and personal development.  With its radiant glow, it will lead you towards holistic growth and ultimate success.  Remember, whether you face moments of vulnerability or strength, always carry the eternal flame of hope within you, and harness the power to live life to its fullest.

8.   In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Incorporated Management Committee, the Principal and the professional teaching team of the College. Your concerted efforts in nurturing the younger generation as quality citizens for our city and our country are commendable.  I wish Munsang College and all its students continued success in the days to come, and everyone here and their families good health and enduring happiness.  Thank you.