Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2003

of light. It works closely w i th the business sector in projects that are aimed at Hong Kong's social and economic progress, and the University's confidence and pride in itself have never been higher. I n 2002, the MBA programme at The Chinese University was rated the best i n the Asia-Pacific region. It was Prof. Li's declared o b j e c t i v e , as he a s s u m ed t he v i c e - chancellorship, that The Chinese University should be developed into an i n s t i t u t i on of international renown. The Chinese University has indeed gone from strength to strength, fully confident of its own potential for g r ow th and development. This is a matter very dear to Prof. Li's heart and I am sure he is proud of what the University has achieved. Just wh en eve r y t h i ng was progressing according to plan at The Chinese University, at a time reap, the stern and public-minded Arthur Li, forever w i th the greatest good for the greatest number in mind, decided in mid-2002 to accept an invitation from the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to take up t he o f f i ce of Se c r e t a ry f or Education and Manpower. Like the master mariners of old who has tired of the peace and quiet of harboured anchorage, he must sail into the open sea to discover new worlds, braving storm and weather and putting himself to rigorous tests and disciplines. Education is an enterprise w i th a long time horizon, and results are not to be seen soon. At a time when educational reform was all the rage, Prof. Li gallantly put down his work on hand and took the heavy bu r den u p on himself, w i t h courage and firmness of purpose. Steeped in the Confucian classics, Prof. Li was of course familiar w i t h t he s a y i ng i n t he Analects: ' t he knowledgeable is not in doubt, the benevolent is not worried, and the courageous is not afraid.' He was f u l ly aware of the risks and pitfalls associated with his new appointment, but for the great common good he d id not hesitate. He believes that ' t a lk is easy but action more difficult; action is easy but results are more difficult.' It is therefore his conviction that, as long as there is nothing for which he w i ll regret, and as long as he has tried his best, he w i ll not give mu ch thought to personal gain or loss, praise or disapproval. The wo rk of the Education and Manpower Bureau consists of p r o v i d i ng education and training for the citizens and putting Hong Kong's vast manpower resources to appropriate use. As Secretary he takes the primary, secondary and t e r t i a ry educa t i on systems u p on himself. However, despite the best efforts and the greatest diligence, there can be no satisfaction for all men in all situations. Hence, from the beginning of his secretaryship, Prof. L i maintained a broad perspective but at the same time tackled one problem at a time. The Hong Kong education system is loaded with problems accumulated over years. The Education and Manpower Bureau must move w i th caution, listening to different voices and providing support to those who must implement the reforms. Prof. Li hopes that the education system to be gradually phased in wo u ld not be a radical one and that policies w i l l be i n t r o d u c ed gradually and in moderation. His first aim is to reduce the pressure that examinations exert on students. Secondly, he advocates school-based management and the grant of autonomy to the schools. Third, he wo u ld strengthen language education for biliteracy and trilingualism among our students. He is also fully committed to a system w i t h three years of junior secondary school, three years of senior secondary school and four years of university, under wh i ch all students may, w i t h the assistance of their teachers and the support of their parents, receive the best education possible. Prof. Li's ideal is to fulfil three objectives during his term of office: first, that all students in He believes t h a t ‘talk is easy but action more difficult; action is easy but results are more difficult.’ It is therefore his conviction that, as long as there is nothing for which he will regret, and as long as he has tried his best, he will not give much thought to personal gain or loss, praise or disapproval. The 60th Congregation 41