Economic vitality will emerge as the concept of co-operative education is strengthened among private, public and education sectors, according to the president of Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU).
Professor Poon Chung-kwong was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Asia Pacific Co-operative Education Conference.
'While the Government has already charted a course of action to produce a better-educated and better-trained workforce . . . I believe the private sector should not only support in financial terms the endeavours initiated by the Government and the educational institutions, but also be active in partnership with the Government and the educational sec tor in shaping and giving direction to future initiatives,' he said.
Professor Poon said PolyU strongly advocated co-operative education and had successfully introduced the concept through training, research and development.
The Secretary for Education and Manpower, Joseph Wong Wing-ping, who officiated at the opening ceremony, was asked whether the Government should fund students who failed to pass language requirements for universities.
He said university autonomy over the recruitment of students should be respected. 'We've suggested that univer sities should recruit students who passed language subjects as their basic entrance requirement.
