The Institute is a self-accrediting publicly-funded institution primarily offering degree and postgraduate level programmes in Education and other complementary disciplines. Despite its short history, it has inherited a rich legacy from the previous Colleges of Education which laid a strong foundation for teacher education in Hong Kong. We are the main provider of school teachers in Hong Kong – 80% of trained kindergarten teachers, 84% of primary school teachers, and 30% of secondary school teachers are our graduates. Our graduates are very well received by schools. We are recognized as being a pioneer in early childhood and primary education, and also in civic education, special needs and inclusive education, and vocational education.

With more than 400 academic and teaching staff, we have the largest critical mass of education experts in education and related discipline areas in Hong Kong, and one of the largest in the region. More than 97% of our academic staff possess a doctoral qualification. We have a strong tradition in applied research and development, which integrates research with teaching, professional practice and community service. We have become increasingly active in interdisciplinary research that informs education policy, practice and innovation. Our 140,000-strong alumni (including those of former Colleges of Education) constitute a strong education force in the community.

Becoming a Multidisciplinary University of Education

We now have a stronger capacity to achieve our well-defined mission and become a University of Education with a diverse scope of teaching, research and community activities. In the University Grants Committee Report of the Review Group on the Hong Kong Institute of Education's Development Blueprint (2009), it is recommended that the Institute should "develop into a multidisciplinary institution with a focus on Education and other complementary disciplines, primarily offering undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes and undertaking research and research training" (p.6).

As observed by the Review Group, the Institute has "great potential to advance to a significant new level of achievement and standing" (p.7). In view of the strategic direction of the HKIEd under the 'Education-plus' vision, the HKIEd is committed to extending and strengthening key discipline areas, in addition to our excellence in professional education studies. After the implementation of the Strategic Plan in the last triennium 2009-12, we will broaden our array of academic disciplines and programme offerings, enhance our academic capacity, improve our research infrastructure, and promote our research culture and impact in broad areas of education studies, humanities, social sciences and creative arts and culture.

The New Education Landscape

In an era of globalization and rapid social, technological and economic changes, education is no longer confined to preparing students for predictable futures. The key task of education today is to contribute to human capacity development that will meet new challenges. The younger generation needs to be provided with a broad-based, multidisciplinary and change-oriented education, including enhanced international and regional exposure that will enable them to contribute to intercultural understanding and the development of a democratic and just society within a sustainable environment. Schools must serve a more diverse student population. We seek to meet the changing needs of schools through supporting teachers' professional development, facilitating classroom change, developing a research-based culture in schools, and enhancing school and teacher leadership capabilities.

As Hong Kong enters the New Academic Structure for Senior Secondary Education and Higher Education, commonly known as the '334' academic structure, we will continue to support curriculum reform and innovation, and the use of new learning methods. We will also strengthen our pivotal role in raising the professional standards in early childhood education. The trend towards an ageing population in the developed world has increased the need for lifelong learning and self-enrichment opportunities. There are also needs beyond the conventional school sector both for the education of teachers in higher education institutions and for trainers in the workplace.

Serving Hong Kong's Role as an Education Hub

As the Institute evolves into a full-fledged University of Education with a strong multidisciplinary orientation, we will play a more active role in leading education development in the Mainland of China and the broader Asia Pacific region, and contribute actively towards Hong Kong's new positioning as an education hub, with particular respect to the fast-growing Pan-Pearl River Delta Region where education services are in great demand. We will lead the region in the development of innovative teaching, new learning and scholarship, set international benchmarks and pioneer innovative practices. As we respond to society's demands for quality teachers, we also look beyond conventional school contexts to a broader learning society in the new knowledge era. Under the 'Education-plus' framework, the Institute will continue to provide innovative academic and research programmes with a strong humanities and social sciences orientation to promote social change, policy advocacy and the enhancement of human well-being.