Speech at the Company Programme 5th Anniversary Graduation Ceremony 2007/08 Junior Achievement Hong Kong

Speech by Mr Raymond H C Wong, JP

Permanent Secretary for Education

at the Company Programme 5th Anniversary

Graduation Ceremony 2007/08

Junior Achievement Hong Kong

on Saturday, 26 April 2008

Mr Cunningham, Mrs Leung, Distinguished Guests and Students, 

                      It is my great pleasure to officiate at the 5th Anniversary Graduation Ceremony of the Company Programme of Junior Achievement Hong Kong.  Junior Achievement, Hong Kong , is dedicated to building partnerships between the education and business communities so that our young people, through innovative approaches, can develop entrepreneurial thinking, financial literacy and insights into the world of work.  I am glad to be here today to witness the successful graduation by another group of participants in the programme.

I am very appreciative of the effort and commitment of the sponsors of the programme, in particular, the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) for initiating and supporting such an exciting and meaningful programme for our students.  The HSBC has pledged its continuous commitment to education through being one of our close partners in the Business-School Partnership Programme.  The longstanding commitment to corporate social responsibility by HSBC has inspired many more business partners and organisations to follow and join in nurturing our young people.  These partnerships integrate worthwhile education experiences and the call for social service as well as develop our future human resources.  My gratitude goes to all who have been playing an exemplary role in the Partnership Programme.

                     Over 5 years the Company Programme has had over 600 business volunteers giving their valuable time to support over 6,400 upper secondary students.  Under this year’s programme, 75 student companies began business last September and presented their work at the Trade Fair in December.  This programme is a great example of having our students use real world situations to apply their knowledge.

                      The focus of learning and teaching is on developing students’ overall capacities for self-directed, life-long learning.  We also aim to enrich students’ experience and broaden their horizons.  The New Senior Secondary Curriculum to be introduced in 2009 will incorporate ‘Other Learning Experiences’ which will make up 15% of students’ learning time.  We expect students to experience, in a variety of ways, the world of work while continuing their senior secondary learning.  The Company Programme and its Trade Fair have indeed provided a very good exemplar which can pave the way in the new system. 

                      The well-being of a community depends very much on the development of its education and how we nurture our younger generation.  The ‘entrepreneurial spirit’ engendered amongst today’s graduates is an investment in the future of Hong Kong .  I am indeed very grateful for the continuous contribution from all of you in providing a platform for diversified learning opportunities which the Company Programme provides to students.

                      Lastly, I wish the Junior Achievement’s Company Programme every success in the years to come.

Thank you.