Speech by Ms Michelle Li, Permanent Secretary for Education at the 80th Speech Day of Munsang College

 

Dr YUK, Dr YIP, distinguished guests, parents, teachers, graduates and students,

 

　　　Good afternoon.  It gives me great pleasure to join you here and share the joyous moment of the 80^th Speech Day of Munsang College.  Graduation is a unique milestone in our lives because it calls for celebration of past achievements and anticipation of a bright and exciting future.  First of all, may I extend my warmest congratulations to all graduates on this memorable occasion and my sincere gratitude to Munsang College for its remarkable success in nurturing high quality graduates over the past decades.

2. 　　As the saying goes, “It takes a decade to grow trees but a century to cultivate people”. Founded in 1926, Munsang College is going to celebrate its centenary anniversary in a few years’ time.  With a fine heritage and strong commitment to education, Munsang has nurtured generations and generations of outstanding students and alumni who have flourished in a different walks of life and made positive contribution to our society, our country and our world.

3. 　　With the school’s strong commitment to all-round education, abundant opportunities are available for students to learn and thrive. They are encouraged not only to pursue academic excellence, but also to immerse in diverse learning experiences and activities, while devoting themselves to serving others.  With this purpose in mind, Munsang College puts emphasis on integrity and character building in its holistic whole-person education based on Christian principles, and commits itself to nurturing students to become self-motivated, resolute individuals who devote their contribution to the betterment of the community.  This echoes with the Education Bureau’s strong emphasis on values education.

4. 　　Why are “values” so important? Why don’t we focus on academic achievements of our students?”  Some wise men use the analogy of the operating system of the computer to describe our core values.  When we switch on the computer or the phone, the programme will run automatically according to the operating system.  The operating system affects the functions and interface of our computer or mobile devices.  It governs what we can and cannot do with the device, and how we use it.  Our value is also like the compass for travelers and sailors, and the GPS for driver.  If we travel for hours and miles but go the wrong way, we can never reach our destination.  If our computers are attacked by virus, our devices cannot function properly.  The Bible says, “Above all else, guard your heart, and everything you do flows from it.”  Likewise, we should guard against any evil thoughts and misguided values.

5. 　　It is our shared belief that values education is an essential element of whole-person education which aims at fostering students’ positive values and attitudes. We expect that our next young generation, apart from equipping themselves with a broad base of knowledge, will mature into law-abiding citizens who respect others, love their family and have an affection for their country.  We promote ten priority values and attitudes: “Perseverance”, “Respect for Others”, “Responsibility”, “National Identity”, “Commitment”, “Integrity”, “Care for Others”, “Law-abidingness”, “Empathy” and “Diligence”.

6. 　　As always, Munsang College supports the policies of Education Bureau and shares our vision. It sets a good example for the education sector by undertaking the weighty responsibility of nurturing students to become socially responsible leaders who possess a sense of national identity, a love for Hong Kong and an international perspective.  I am pleased to learn that the school has arranged a wide range of leaning activities to enhance students’ understanding of our country, such as Chinese Cultural Week and guest talk on core values of Classical Chinese to name but a few.  The school has also extended its focus to parent collaboration by promoting constructive communication and positive family relationship to strengthen family support for students.

7. 　　We are glad to see that the spirit of values education is enshrined in the school motto of “All For One, One For All”, which fully demonstrates the strong commitment of Munsang College to serve the society. No wonder so many Munsang students and graduates have left their footprints in an array of service organisations and learning programmes such as the Orbis Student Ambassador Campaign and the Y-Dragon programme.

8. 　　In the past couple of years, COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenges to Hong Kong. Suspension of face-to-face classes, rearrangement of school holidays, compulsory testing for teachers and students are all new to us.  I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the leaders and teachers of Munsang College for their determination and proactivity in braving these challenges.  Thanks to their unfailing efforts, education and support to students have never been disrupted at this difficult time.  By demonstrating how one can rise to challenges with an open mind and be prepared to learn new knowledge and skills, they have undoubtedly served as a role model that their students can aspire to.

9. 　　Dear graduates, graduation marks the end of your secondary education and the beginning of a new chapter in your lives. I encourage you all to live up to your school motto of “Light and Life”.  First of all, seek the light --- look for light even in the darkest moments of your lives.  There are always more solutions than problems, more opportunities than threats -- whenever you see things in the positive light.

10.　　Then, follow the light. There are dark forces around us, like the virus in our computer and the bacteria in the world.  We have to boost our immunity.  Guard against negative and evil thoughts, which will harm you.  Finally, be the light and let your light shine before others.  You can be a source of light and light up other people’s lives too.

11. 　　Dear graduates, we will release the HKDSE results shortly. We are blessed that, with concerted efforts, Hong Kong has been able to conduct HKDSE examinations as usual in the past few years despite the onset of COVID-19.  This is no small feat when a few international public examinations have been interrupted and replaced by grade assessment.  We are also pleased to note that students’ performance has been maintained at comparable standards, thanks to the hard work of the students and the support of their teachers and parents.

12. 　　Dear graduates, as we celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, we see a bright future for our young generations. As President Xi mentioned in his important speech on 1 July 2022, we must give special love and care to young people.  Hong Kong will prosper only when its young people thrive.  In the education sector, we provide multiple pathways for students with around 80% having access to post-secondary education.  We have world-class universities.  We provide ample opportunities for exchange and internship in the Mainland and overseas.  We also provide generous student financial assistance so that no person will be denied access to education due to a lack of financial means.  The future is yours to explore.  Abundant opportunities await those of you who are well prepared.  Seize these opportunities. 

13. 　　In closing, may I wish Munsang College the very best for the future. May the school continue to nurture the next generations of students to become pillars of society.  Graduates of 2022, I wish you all success in your further pursuits.  To everyone present this afternoon, I wish you all happiness and good health.  Thank you.