Prologue

Changes in world order have brought conflicting values and aspirations to society. We are facing a complex and chaotic world today with increasing uncertainties in many interacting forces and paradigm shifts. Educational reforms around the world have brought great challenges to schools, students, teachers and parents alike. Hong Kong faces a mandate complicated by post-1997 obligations to harmonize capitalism, communism, nationalism, patriotism and the like. For a well established school like Wah Yan, it certainly has not been easy to juggle with the educational reforms, political changes and social demands at a time when Jesuits presence is reduced to the minimum.

While having their positive value, current educational reforms reduce the amount and quality of contact time between teachers and students because of the extra burden of paper work, publicly accountable self-evaluation programme, administrative reporting and the like. All these reduce the hope for our teachers to make up for what is lost from the days when Jesuit Fathers make up of half of the teaching staff: quality teaching, coaching in skills and values that made us excel in debates, drama, music and sports, and the fine examples of Christian love and humanity the reverend Fathers set to inspire us.

Yet God works in amazing ways. Crisis often precipitate greater growth and chaos sometimes evolve into stunning new orders. In recent months, improved networking has resulted in the strengthened bonding between old boys. Unified and amplified, their voices that call for the provision of assistance to the younger Wahyanites still in school are coming across loud and clear. By offering their expertise, time and resources to help the students, they hope to reduce the impact of the reforms and changes and create a soft landing situation. It was in the midst of such sentiments that the "Timeless Bonding" theme of the 9th Wah Yan International Conference was born, reflecting the true Wah Yan Spirit in us all.

Since the International Conference is held only every other year, members of the IC2004 Organizing Committee think that it is appropriate to address the current issues of educational, social and structural changes that our Alma Mater is facing. We will explore the role the old boys play in this trying time and hope that some helpful answers will emerge under the guidance of the experts whom we have invited to guide us through the three-day event.

The Programme

November 11, 2004

Thursday
17:00 - 19:00 Wah Yan College, Hong Kong
Speech Day

November 12, 2004

Friday
09:00 - 15:30 Wah Yan International Conference
Golf Tournament
17:00 - 19:00 Wah Yan College, Kowloon
Speech Day

November 13, 2004

Saturday
08:30 - 09:30 Registration (Wah Yan College, Kowloon)
09:30 - 10:00 Opening Ceremony
Introduction of Honourable Guests and Delegates from Overseas Chapters

Opening Speech by Principals
Norman So, George Tam

Opening Speech by IC Chairmen
Nick Tsui, Dominic Lee

International Networking Committee (INC) Report
By K. K. Lam, INC Chairman
10:00 - 11:15 Reports by Delegates
11:15 - 11:30

Break

TIMELESS BONDING SERIES

Session 1-10
Programme Chairman:
Professor Lui Tai-lok, Professor of Sociology.
Dean, College General Education, Shaw College,
The Chinese University of Hong Kong

11:30 - 12:00 CHANGES IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM
教育改革面面觀

Session 1

Topic : Hong Kong's Education in Transition

The Official Stance : What are the main Changes and Why ?
Big changes in our education system in recent years have drawn many public outcries. What are the long term strategies and vision from the Government's stand point ?

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Rosanna Wong Yick-ming J.P. Chairman, Education Commission

Q and A

12:00 - 12:30 Session 2

Topic : Critical Assessment of the Education Reforms in Hong Kong and their Challenges

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Pang King Chee, former HKIEd Vice-President, Founding Directorate Member of HKIEd, Founding Chief Executive of Curriculum Development Institute, Education Department

Q and A

12:30 - 13:00

Session 3

Topic: Catholic Education in a changing Hong Kong - The Ignatian View

How to maintain the quality in catholic education and excel in various aspects of education with special emphasis in moral education.

Keynote Speaker: Fr. Dr. A. J. Deignan, S.J. , Provincial Delegate, The Society of Jesus

Q and A
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch (01)
14:00 - 14:45 TIMELESS BONDING - WAHYANITES IN ACTION
歲月情繫華仁仔

Session 4
Topic : Old boys(girl's) love for their alma mater - How alumni/ae can contribute

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Anson Chan Fang An-sang, G.B.M., G.C.M.G., C.B.E., JP. Former Chief Secretary of Administration of the Hong Kong S.A.R.

Q and A
14:45 - 15:15 Session 5
Topic: A Reflection on the Characteristics of Wah Yan Education

A reflection based on personal experience and encounters on the characteristics of Jesuit education

Keynote Speaker: Andrew So Kwok Wing JP,
Chief Administrator, Hong Kong International Institute of Educational Leadership. Former Legco member from 1978-1985 and the Ombudsman of Hong Kong from 1994-1999.

Q and A
15:15 - 15:45 Break
15:45 - 16:15 Session 6

Topic: TIMELESS BONDING IN ACTION - Interest Groups, Clubs and Societies
Translating bonding into selfless action, how can alumni participate in an array of activities benefiting students and alumni alike in a spirit of sharing and mutual enrichment?

Keynote Speakers: Philip Ching, Nick Tsui

Q and A
16:15 - 17:15 Session 7

Topic: Wah Yan! Oh Wah Yan! Three quarter of a century in a nut shell, reminisce and projection

Keynote Speakers: Raymond Yu, Wong Chin Wah and others

Anchor Chairperson:
Mr. Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, JP.
Chairman, Hospital Authority,
Chairman, China and Far East Area, Ernst & Young.

Q and A
19:00 - Late Dinner (02)

November 14, 2004

Sunday

09:00 - Registration (Wah Yan College, Hong Kong)
09:00 - 10:30 Morning Rendezvous Continental Breakfast
10:30 - 11:30 On site briefing of WYHK New Building
11:30 - 12:00 TIMELESS BONDING IN ACTION
– WAH YAN AND BEYOND
薪火相傳，放眼世界

Session 8

Topic: Wah Yan Values, Hong Kong and Contemporary China

Keynote Speaker: The Honourable Donald Tsang, G.B.M., JP. Chief Secretary of Administration of the Hong Kong S.A.R.

Q and A
12:00 - 12:30 Session 9

Topic: Alumni Supports in Educational Institutions -
How can we contribute?
Translate bonding into selfless action and sacrifices

Keynote Speaker: Sir Gordon Y.S. Wu, G.B.S., K.C.M.G.

Q and A
12:30 - 13:00

Session 10

Topic: How Wahyanites can make a difference in Society

Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Alan Leong Kah-kit, SC

Q and A
13:00 - 14:00 Lunch (03)
14:00 - 14:15 Briefing on '3+3+4' Academic Structure" Norman So, George Tam
14:15 - 15:00 Panel Discussions
   
a) Future Development of "Timeless Bonding¨ Scheme
   
b) Youth Forum - views from the younger
generation in a changing time
   
c) Improvements on INC Networking
   
d) Oversea Education for young Wahyanites
15:00 - 15:15 Break
15:15 - 15:35

Panel Presentations and Sharing
15:35 - 16:00 Selection of Base for INC
Selection of venue for IC 2006
Conclusion of IC2004
16:00 - 17:45 Seminar: Personal Financial Planning for Education (For parents and alumni)
Speaker: Mr Shek Kang Chuen (Associate Publisher and Head of the Research Department of Hong Kong Economic)
17:45 - 19:00 Holy Mass
19:00 - Late Dinner (04)

November 15, 2004

Monday
07:30 - 09:00 Harbour-side Breakfast (05) at Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club
10:00 - 11:00 WYHK & WYK Joint Thanksgiving Mass at
Wah Yan College, Kowloon
18:30 - 19:30 Reception at HKCEC
19:30 - 22:00 WAH YAN RE-UNION DINNER (06) at HKCEC