Bulletin Number Two 1986

Future Perspectives for Education in Chinese Societies in Asia School o f Education 20th Anniversary Education Conference To celebrate its twentieth anniversary, the School of Education held an international education conference from 13th to 15th March, 1986. Featuring the theme of 'Future Perspectives for Education in Chinese Societies in Asia', the conference was attended by thirty-one scholars from Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. It began with an opening speech by the Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ma Lin, entitled ‘The Role of a University in the Training of Educa tors', followed by a keynote speech, 'Educational Problems Common to Chinese Societies', by the Director of the School, Professor Cho-Yee To. As Dr. Ma remarked in his speech ， the confer ence aimed to provide an opportunity for scholars in education from different societies, yet with a shared background in culture, race and language, to probe into major issues of educational development, to profit from each other's experience and to discuss further cooperation. Dr. Ma further pointed out that to achieve its ideal effect, education must be coordi nated with other factors such as culture, society and environment. In the transitional period towards the nineties, there arise rapid social changes and techno logical development. Our society therefore needs edu cators who have extensive and sound knowledge and rigorous professional training, capable of shouldering their significant cultural and social responsibilities. In view of this, the School ofEducation, in the coming three years, will on the one hand, launch aspecialized PhD degree programme and on the other, run basic professional training courses to meet the needs of society in amore comprehensive way. In his keynote speech, Professor To expounded and analysed the evolution and features of Chinese culture in different historical periods, and emphasized that it is imperative for Chinese societies to develop educational theories and methods on the basis of their own social culture. He also indicated that edu cation is of basic importance in bringing up qualified personnel for and in the construction of society. Educators nowadays have to devote much effort to accomplishing their mission. This international conference was the first meeting of scholars in education from different Chinese societies, to freely air their views and ex change ideas. Participants from outside were mostly presidents and professors of major universities and educational institutions together with well-known scholars of relevant research institutes. Apart from teaching staff of the School of Education and other scholars of this University, local participants included scholars from the University of Hong Kong, the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, the Education Depart ment of Hong Kong, and other educational bodies. Discussions at the conference covered a wide range of topics: from the report of actual situations of education in different regions to the prediction of future development; from educational system and NEWS 9