Speech at the Topping Out Ceremony for the New Campus of HKDI and IVE(Lee Wai Lee)

30 November 2009 (Monday)

Topping Out Ceremony for the

New Campus of HKDI and IVE(Lee Wai Lee)

Speech by Mr Michael M Y SUEN, GBS, JP

Secretary for Education

Andrew [Leung], Mr Fonbasutier (CG of France), Carrie [Willis], Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here today to share this joyful moment with you all.

Cultural and creative industry is one of the six priority industries that our Government aims to promote and develop.  To facilitate and sustain the development of this industry, we must continue to nurture talents in creativity.  The establishment of the Hong Kong Design Institute is therefore both visionary and timely.

This building is an iconic piece of architecture and underlies the importance of good design.  I can imagine how exciting it will be to students when they move into this new campus building next year.

I commend the Council for its vision and initiative to develop this flagship project.  I have no doubt that this magnificent building for the Hong Kong Design Institute and IVE (Lee Wai Lee) will turn a new page in the development of vocational education in Hong Kong.

Thank you.