The School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) hosts a University Grants Committee (UGC) Conference on “Springboard to Success - Balancing University and Elite Sports” today (November 24).
Sponsored by the UGC and supported by Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China; Hong Kong Sports Institute; Hong Kong Elite Athletes Association; and HKU Centre for Sports and Exercise, the Conference aims to foster dual career pathways for athletes and promotes a more athlete friendly culture at universities.
UGC Chairman Mr Carlson Tong; UGC Secretary-General Dr Richard Armour; President of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, Mr Timothy Fok; members/delegates of Heads of Universities Committee; as well as a wide spectrum of community stakeholders including government officials; university administrators; sports associations, clubs and organisations; university students; parents; school principals and career masters attended the conference.
“Today’s conference represents an important milestone for all eight UGC-funded universities to express our support towards the UGC’s position on promoting an athlete friendly culture at universities and providing our students with more flexibility, options, and guidance to excel athletically and academically,” said Professor Peter Mathieson, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU in his welcoming remarks.
Mr Carlson Tong, Chairman of UGC added, “Sports is an integral part of students’ life and is vital for the whole person development of students” in his opening remarks. Mr Tong encouraged more collaboration of universities, schools and sports organisations to drive sport participation in the community and to facilitate elite athletes’ achievement of a balance between training and competition in sports and academic development.
As a way to solidify the collective commitment and determination towards this important UGC initiative, a Pledge and Signing Ceremony with representatives from the eight UGC-funded universities including Professor Horace Ip, Vice-President (Student Affairs) of City University of Hong Kong; Professor Roland Chin, President and Vice-Chancellor of Hong Kong Baptist University; Professor Leonard Cheng, President of Lingnan University; Professor Dennis Ng, Pro-Vice-Chancellor/Vice-President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong; Professor Stephen Cheung, President and Chair Professor of Public Policy of the Education University of Hong Kong; Professor Chetwyn Chan, Associate Vice President (Learning & Teaching) of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Professor Sabrina Lin, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and Professor Peter Mathieson, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, was held.
Through signing the Pledge, the eight universities have agreed to: (1) Commit to students’ whole person development; (2) Promote an athlete friendly culture at universities; (3) Provide more opportunities for students who excel in sports to be admitted to universities; (4) Facilitate athletes’ efforts in training and competitions as well as in academic work by providing support and flexibility; (5) Foster dual career pathways for athletes; (6) Explore the development of articulation pathways to university studies for athletes.
