Several candidates boast doctorates
While many might have the impression that most district councillors are either local leaders or second-tier politicians often called to sort out burst pipes, this year's election has attracted at least seven candidates who have doctorates.
Some might wonder why there has been a sudden increase in the education level among candidates and why these scholars would be interested in the race, but to the candidates the answers are quite straightforward.
Victor Chan Ka-ming, who is running for a seat in the City Garden constituency in the Eastern District, is among the professionals the Civic Party has fielded for the first time in the contest.
A Christian in the Election Committee who supported the pan-democrats in the chief executive election, Dr Chan is a biological scientist who works at the University of Hong Kong.
'I have always been a believer in democracy and the more I work in the district, the more I am committed in serving the community. I don't see academic achievement has much to do with the election because what counts most is the candidate's interaction with the people. ' he said.
Two candidates with doctorates will clash in the Aldrich Bay constituency, also in the Eastern District. Democratic Party incumbent Mark Lee Kin-yin, a social work professor at Baptist University, is challenged by George Lam Kei-tung of the Liberal Party.
Dr Lam, the only candidate with a PhD from the Liberal Party, said he was convinced that his doctorate in business administration would help bring more rational and analytical thinking into the district administration.
'I have decided to run because my companies in corporate training and bio-technology are on track and won't take up much of my time, time which I can spend in district work,' he said.
