First Lecture of EdUHK NPC and NCCPPCC Talk Series 2025-26:
The Contribution of the Publishing and Academic Sectors to Education and National Development
EdUHK hosted the first seminar of the NPC and NCCPPCC Talk Series for the 2025-26 academic year in December at its North Point Study Centre. Under the theme ‘The Contribution of the Publishing and Academic Sectors to Education and National Development’, the seminar explored the vital role of cultural publishing and academic research in advancing national development. The speakers were Dr Yiu Chi-shing, Standing Committee Member of the 14th NCCPPCC and Chairman of Board of Directors of POPULAR Group and Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, Member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (NCCPPCC) cum EdUHK President.
Dr Yiu emphasised that the publishing industry carries the important mission of disseminating knowledge and encouraging reading, serving as a cornerstone of human civilisation and social progress. Through continuous innovation, publishing promotes professional writing and academic exchange, nurturing talent with cultural literacy. He further highlighted the industry’s crucial role in supporting education and national development, and the need for publishers to actively contribute to the development of the Greater Bay Area and the Belt and Road Initiative. Dr Yiu noted that, as a cradle for teachers, EdUHK is committed to promoting educational development and academic research, with publishing and education complementing and reinforcing each other.
Professor Lee elaborated on the significance of publishing and education in national development, calling for closer collaboration between the two sectors to jointly promote the construction of a ‘strong nation in education’ and a ‘strong nation in culture’. He stressed that the creation of teaching materials and textbooks is central to academic work and makes a major contribution to social and cultural development, as well as the cultivation of talent. As Hong Kong SAR’s largest teacher education institution, some colleagues of the EdUHK have participated in textbook development, playing an active role in supporting educational innovation. Professor Lee noted that education, science and technology, and talent are the core pillars of national development, and that HKSAR should leverage its role as a ‘super-connector’ to integrate into national and Greater Bay Area development, attract international talent, and establish itself as a global education hub.
During the dialogue session moderated by Dr Kevin Kam Wai-keung, EdUHK Director of School Partnership and Field Experience, both Dr Yiu and Professor Lee explored topics such as how the publishing and education sectors can collaborate, address the challenges of digitalisation, and approaches to cultivating young talents with both international vision and national identity. Both speakers pointed out that artificial intelligence is reshaping learning experiences and textbook development, with future teaching materials expected to become more personalised and conducive to self-directed learning, providing students with more flexible learning pathways. The publishing industry, they noted, will accelerate innovation and work closely with the education sector to create new platforms, enhancing the regional and international influence of HKSAR.
The NPC and NCCPPCC Talk Series (2025-26), organised by EdUHK’s School Partnership and Field Experience Office, invited NPC and NCCPPCC members across different professional fields to share insights with staff and students. Guests attending this session included Chief Executive Officer (Greater China) of Popular Group Mr Poon Chi-wai, Executive Director of Popular Education Development Foundation (H.K.) Limited Mr Clifton Yeung Kin-chung, EdUHK Vice President (Administration) Dr Tom Fong Wing-ho, Associate Vice President (Mainland Engagement and Development) cum the Director of Communications and Engagement Ms Helen Gai Hui xia, Associate Director of School Partnership and Field Experience Ms Mandy Au Yuen-yee, and Professional Consultant of School Partnership and Field Experience Office Mr Langton Cheung Yung-pong. In addition to EdUHK staff and students, teachers and students from the Hong Kong & Kowloon Kaifong Women’s Association Sun Fong Chung College were also attended.
Looking ahead, EdUHK will continue to focus on ‘Education Futures’, strengthening collaboration with the publishing sector and other stakeholders to drive educational innovation, promote cultural exchange, and contribute to national development.
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