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Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE) Graduation Ceremony 2020-21

Speech by Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin, IDS, Chairperson, Equal Opportunities Commission

23/02/2022

Prof Lam (Prof Paul LAM Kwan-sing, President, Hong Kong Metropolitan University),

Dr Chan (Dr Benjamin CHAN Tak-yuen, Dean, LiPACE, HKMU),

Distinguished guests, teachers and students,

Thank you for inviting me to this ceremony. It is an honour to be able to share the joy of students who are graduating from LiPACE today, and witness the passion of educators bearing fruit.

I was once a teacher myself. Fresh out of college, I took up a teaching position at a secondary school, and to this day I can still recall how fulfilling and heart-warming it was to see students embarking on new journeys in their lives, making the most out of what they had learned in and outside the classroom. Indeed, today’s ceremony is not only about bidding farewells, but also about marking new beginnings. Whether you are pursuing further studies or finding your place in the job market, I am confident that your education at LiPACE has set you up for success. You will reach greater heights and achieve bigger dreams, so long as you seize every opportunity that comes along.

Speaking of opportunities, we at the Equal Opportunities Commission have always been committed to the mission of promoting equal access to education and employment for all, regardless of gender, disability, family status or race. From enforcing the law and advocating policy reform to training organisations and educating the public, our work is driven by a vision for a pluralistic and inclusive society, where everyone can realise their potential to the fullest.

I am, therefore, pleased to know that LiPACE has made an active effort to put into practice the value of diversity and inclusion. Thanks to an ethnically diverse student body, there is vibrant intercultural exchange on campus. The School also organises experiential and volunteering activities where students get to learn about underrepresented communities in Hong Kong and their needs. On top of that, LiPACE runs two important and meaningful initiatives to encourage lifelong learning, namely the “Capacity Building Mileage Programme” and “Elder Academy”, which provide valuable opportunities for people from all ages, backgrounds and walks of life to equip themselves and contribute to the development of society.

Indeed, in order to adequately address the challenges arising from the rapid social changes Hong Kong is undergoing, we need to welcome and work closely with talents from diverse backgrounds. To give an obvious example, it is foreseeable that a larger proportion of Hong Kong people may face mobility difficulties in the near future, as the city’s population continues to age. Ensuring that facilities and services are barrier-free and accessible should be a priority for businesses across industries, and engaging talents with disabilities would be a good place to start. In fact, an increasing number of organisations have come to appreciate the concrete benefits a diverse workforce can bring to their business in recent years. Diversity facilitates innovation, and innovation helps to create answers – answers to unmet customer needs, as well as larger issues about the common good.

In short, opportunities abound and to capitalise on them is, of course, important. Nonetheless, I hope all our students here could keep an open mind and a kind heart, see the best in others, and cherish every inspiration a person may offer. Learning, after all, is a lifelong process. This too, I believe, is the spirit of LiPACE, who for 30 years has dedicated itself to “Transforming Learners and Innovating”, to quote from its anniversary slogan.

We are, of course, living in times of uncertainty. The COVID-19 pandemic, still untamed, has led to economic recession and unemployment in Hong Kong and around the world. But do remember this: it is in darkness that we as human beings can shine the brightest – with our resourcefulness, creativity, hard work, and sheer determination to overcome challenges. I encourage you all to display these qualities no matter what comes your way, and to give your very best to accomplish your goals in life.

On that hopeful note, I wish both our students and LiPACE a bright future, and all of you a happy and healthy life ahead. Thank you very much.

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