Speeches

Faculty of Medicine, CUHK
Teachers' & Students' Awards Presentation Ceremony 2018
Speech by Prof. Sophia Chan
Secretary for Food and Health
(24.2.2018)

Prof Francis Chan (Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Choh-Ming Li Professor of Medicine and Therapeutics),
distinguished speakers and guests, ladies, and gentlemen,

 

1. Good afternoon. It gives me great pleasure to take part in the Teachers' & Students' Awards Presentation Ceremony 2018, to share my congratulations to the awardees and their families on this happy occasion.
2. I know this is the Faculty’s annual signature event during which we gather together to acknowledge our committed and caring teachers and recognise our diligent and dedicated students for academic excellence and service for the community. As a teacher myself in the medical sector for over 20 years before joining the government, I am particularly glad to witness the achievements made by our teachers and students in the schools of medicine and share with them the challenges and opportunities in the healthcare sector.
3. In view of Hong Kong’s rapidly ageing population, the Government endeavors to upkeep the quality of our healthcare services and allocate resources in a focused manner to enhance the sustainability of our healthcare system. We are pressing ahead with the delivery of the 10-year Public Hospital Development Plan, for which $200 billion has been earmarked and kick-start the next round of public hospital development planning in the coming five years. We are also developing in full steam primary heathcare, which embraces elements of health promotion, disease prevention, rehabilitation and maintenance of the health of chronic patients and the disabled.
4. On manpower front, we released the Report on the first territory-wide Strategic Review on Healthcare Manpower Planning and Professional Development in June last year. We are taking forward the recommendations with continuous collaboration with the healthcare, social welfare and education sectors in the delivery of healthcare services.
5. In light of all these developments, there is no doubt that we shall see an escalating demand for healthcare professionals in Hong Kong. We shall continue to work closely with our medical schools as our steadfast partners and count on the support of all teaching colleagues in our medical schools for nurturing top-notch healthcare professionals for Hong Kong.
6. Today the Teacher Award confers to teachers who demonstrate excellent performance in various areas including professionalism; teaching; student development; school development and contributions to the education sector and community. This award aims to promote recognition, respect and appreciation of teachers; stimulate interest in teaching as a career; and promote quality teaching and enhance teacher professionalism.
7. We have come together to thank our dedicated teachers who have not only passed their knowledge on to students, but have also inspired them to develop their personality. Our gratitude also goes to parents and teachers for the concerted efforts and support in enhancing the whole-person development of the young talents here today, in grooming them for future leadership, and most of all, in raising these fine young persons with a benevolent mind and caring heart.
8. For students, my young friends, you have all committed yourself to a profession which promotes the betterment of human kind. While the awards you receive today have fully recognized your academic excellence, may I encourage you to go beyond our own responsibility in personal development and reach out to our society for the betterment of our community as a whole. Let us also support those who are still under-privileged, and need assistance either because of diseases, disability, poverty, natural disaster or human conflict. Through providing volunteer services to those in need, we gain more insight into the many factors accounting for poverty and lack of development. We may realize that prosperity and security of any society are not to be taken for granted. All of us need to work together with collaborative spirit, tolerance, mutual respect and support. By doing volunteer services, we also understand ourselves more and be thankful to what we have had in our lives.
9. Besides committing ourselves to volunteer services, may I also invite our young people to participate in public policy discussion and debate. The Government has recently announced a pilot scheme which appoints more young people to various government committees with the aim of increasing the overall ratio of youth members to 15 per cent within the current-term Government. I do encourage all of you to take this opportunity to contribute your views and add in fresh impetus and energy to the Government for the betterment of Hong Kong.
10. Dear teachers and students, I have full confidence that you will build on the solid foundation of the university and pursue excellence in your teaching and studies, act with integrity and responsibility, and enjoy serving the community with love and dedication.
11. My warmest congratulations go to all the winners of the Awards on their outstanding achievements. All of you deserve a big round of applause. Keep up the good work! Finally, may I wish you all a happy and prosperous Year of the Dog! Thank you.