4. Key Events and Dates in Hong Kong's History--
From Founding of Country Up To Today
Prior to the arrival of the British, Hong Kong was a
small fishing community and a haven for travelers
and pirates in the South China Sea.
During the Opium Wars with China in the Nineteenth
Century, Britain used the territory as a naval base.
Following the end of the first Opium War, the Treaty
of Nanking ceded the territory to the British in
perpetuity.
Following additional conflicts with the Chinese in
1860 Britain gained Kowloon and Stonecutters
Island.
In 1898 Britain acquired the New Territories on a 99-
5. Hong Kong served as a refuge for exiles from
China following the establishment of the
Chinese Republic in 1912.
After Japan seized Manchuria in 1932 and
the Sino-Japanese war broke out in 1938,
China turned to Britain for supplies. As a
result of this relationship, relations between
Britain, Hong Kong and China became
warmer.
As Japan advanced into China, hundreds of
thousands of Chinese took refuge in Hong
Kong.
World War II disrupted the social and
economic life of Hong Kong.
6. On December 8, 1941, Japanese aircraft
bombed Kowloon and Japanese troops
forced the British to surrender Hong Kong on
Christmas Day 1941.
Following Japan's surrender on August 14,
1945 Britain reclaimed the territory.
Hong Kong was again a major trading
center.
When the Nationalist/Communist Civil War
was won by the Communists, hundreds of
thousands of people again fled to Hong
Kong.
The colony was forced to develop internal
industries taking advantage of local and regional
resources in order to continue to grow.
7. The constant influx from China of capital and
manpower led to the establishment of light
manufacturing throughout the territory by the
1950s and 1960s.
During the 1980s Hong Kong started to work
with China on a series of joint projects that
brought the two closer together.
In 1984, Britain and China reached an
agreement that Hong Kong would revert
back to Chinese authority in 1997.
The commercial, social and legal life of Hong
Kong will remain as it is until 2047 at which
time China will be able to exercise its
authority.
8.
9. Emporis, CNN and many famous travel industry
affiliates all agree, Hong Kong ranks #1 for the
“World’s Best Skyline”. It is definitely a sight to
see for yourself, especially at night.
While there are many great vantages points,
such as from the Avenue of Stars or from a ride
on Star Ferry.
A Symphony of Lights holds a Guinness World
Record for the world’s largest permanent sound
and light show, and it is one of the many
records Hong Kong holds that you shouldn’t
miss.
The show displays 5 main themes representing
10.
11. Previously used as an escape from the heat for rich
residents during pre-air conditioned times, today it’s
the scenery that keeps people returning.
There’s no doubt that it’s the spectacular view that
makes The Peak the most popular tourist destination
in Hong Kong. Being the highest elevation on Hong
Kong Island, it offers beautiful cityscape views
whether it’s daytime or night.
There are plenty of buses or taxis that will take you
up to the top, but the best way is to take the Peak
Tram. The Peak Tram is one of the oldest funicular
railways, and is so steep the buildings look like they
are leaning up to 27 degrees!
Once at the top, the wok-shaped Peak Tower, has an
observation deck you won’t want to miss!
12.
13. Tian Tan, also known as Big Buddha, is the
world’s largest seated bronze Buddha
statue. Completed in 1993, the Buddha sits
atop Lantau Island at Ngong Ping, and
reaches a total height of 112 ft tall. On a
clear day he can be seen from as far as
Macau and Mainland China.
Ngong Ping, including the Big Buddha and
Po Lin Monastery, is open everyday from
10:00 am until 5:30 pm. There is a small fee
to go inside the Buddha, but visiting the
outside area is free of charge–just be
prepared to climb a whopping 268 stairs.
14.
15. It may be the smallest Disney theme park, but that
doesn’t mean it’s not worth the visit.
This theme park is very similar to its Magic
Kingdom counterpart in Florida–only a miniature
version. Complete with 6 main sections: Main
Street U.S.A., Fantasy Land, Tomorrow land,
Adventure land, Toy Story Land, and Grizzly Gulch,
there is more than enough to see and ride than
you’ll have time for in one day. Soon a seventh
section will be opened with Mystic Points arrival in
spring of 2013.
Throughout the year special events are held that
you won’t want to miss– Disney’s Haunted
Halloween, Disney’s A Sparkling Christmas and
Disney’s Chinese New Year Celebration.
There’s always something for everyone at Hong
16.
17. Opened in 1977, Ocean Park may be much older
than its competitor Disneyland, but it is also more
educational and a better representation of Hong
Kong’s culture. Apart from offering the thrill rides
that Disney lacks, Ocean Park also features animal
exhibits and oceanariums. Similarly to Disney,
Ocean Park also offer special events at Halloween,
Christmas and Chinese New Year.
One of the highlights of Ocean Park is the
opportunity to see giant pandas.
Ocean Park is committed to animal conservation in
Hong Kong and throughout Asia. Part of all
proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales go to
the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation in order
to keep supporting various conservation projects–
so I never mind spending a few extra dollars there.
18. Education System in Hong Kong
The education system in Hong Kong was influenced by
British rule and contains many elements that can also be
seen in the United Kingdom.
It is currently revised, and in order to keep things
simple, here only the education system presented as it
will be implemented in 2012 (a good introduction to
both the old and the new system can be found in).
This article traces the path of a student from primary
school to graduation at a university. Leaving the
optional 3-year kindergarten aside, education consists
of 6-year primary education, 3-year junior secondary
education, 3-year senior secondary education, and
then - for those who are admitted to university - 4-year
tertiary education in a university undergraduate
program.
19.
20. Education from primary school towards
undergraduate studies at a university
While public schools offer cost-free 12-year primary
education and secondary education, for tertiary
education universities generally charge tuition fees
which are higher than in Germany but often less
than in the United States.
There are roughly three types of local schools in
Hong Kong: those operated by the government,
those operated by other institutions but funded by
the government, and private schools which might
also receive some financial assistance by the
government. The government of the Hong Kong
Special Administrative Region spends 24.5% of its
expenditures on education, corresponding to 4.5%
of GDP compared to 4.6% of GDP in Germany.
21. Primary Education
It is compulsory for children to obtain primary
education, which consists of six years at a
primary school. Placement does not take
place before Primary 5 and Primary 6, as
compared to Germany, where the decision
about going to university where placement
procedures start as early as in third and
fourth year of primary school. The number of
primary school students is shrinking due to
demographic change.
22. Secondary Education
After primary school, students attend a
secondary school. At the end of six years
of secondary education students take a
placement exam that leads to the Hong
Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
(HKDSE), which has a similar function as
the A-levels exam, the Abitur, the
International Baccalaureate obtained in
other systems.
23. Tertiary Education
Depending on the results in the HKDSE exam,
students can be admitted to one of the many
universities in Hong Kong, from which the most-
often listed ones are the Hong Kong University of
Science and Technology, the Hong Kong University,
and the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Unlike
the cost-free education in the previous 12-years of
primary and secondary education, universities
charge a tuition fee, which covers a notable amount
of university expenditures, at least at HKUST where
tuition fees made up 22 percent of all income in the
academic year ending in 2010. The cost for tertiary
education is not negligible, and often local students
need to take loans in order to cover their expenses.
24. International Orientation
Hong Kong's universities try to
encourage good students from abroad to
come study in Hong Kong. There is lively
exchange between students from the
United States and Hong Kong. At
HKUST, more students come from the
United States than from all European
countries together. The same applies for
the reverse direction
25. The University of Hong Kong has
been ranked 34th of the World in the
Times Higher Education Ranking 2011-
2012 and competes on an international
level.
26. Technology is transforming the way of
traditional teaching and learning in all parts
of the world, and also in Hong Kong. Their
latest “Mobile- Learning Scheme” aims to
provide students with iPads/iPods for better
learning experience.
“Around 400 students from the departments
of Asian and International Studies, Biology
and Chemistry, Electronic Engineering and
Information Systems have enrolled in the
scheme. They have been given hundreds of
iPad or the iPod Touch for learning. More
departments are expected to join the
27. Hong Kong Education Bureau has been promoted
electronic teaching and learning in primary and
secondary schools recently. There is a three- year
project – ‘School E- Learning Polite Project’ that
has received government funding of HK$ 60 million.
True Light Middle School of Hong Kong and its
three-affiliate schools received about HK$ 2 million
from the project fund to buy 96 iPads for English
teaching. In the meantime, the City University of
Hong Kong financed itself to buy 400 iPads and
iPods.
The country is increasingly investing in the field of
electronic education. Educational Technology
startups in Hong Kong are playing a significant role
alongside for the effective and efficient education
services throughout the country.
28. 1) VisioEnglish
The platform provides quality English lessons for
training institutions and language schools around
the globe. It offers a wide range of English classes
that are available to individuals and small groups.
Lessons are delivered through an interactive
online platform, VEM, in one to one basis over
telephone or their online Visio conferencing
system. The learners can fix their classes
according to their convenience and the trainers at
VisioEnglish will provide personalized lessons to
suit their needs.
29. 2) Miki EdTech
it is a global education technology startup
company that is developing and selling a
complete suit of the best EdTech product
along with a custom solution. Their
mission is to find easy, comfortable and
affordable ways to learn and share
knowledge.
MIKI- it is the world’s first mobile
collaborative eLearning platform, which
works as a combined Google, twitter,
Wikipedia, Whatsapp, and other social
platforms that students use worldwide, but
30. 3) Appedu
Founded in 2013, Appedu aims to give
every student the tool to learn in the most
customized manner, efficient and hassle-
free, and yet in a minimal cost. Their core
product, Snapask is a mobile app that
allows students to ask questions about
anything in one click. And get them
connected to the most eligible teacher to
provide a real-time one-to-one online class.
31. 4) Digifab
Digifab is Hong Kong’s professional 3D
design and 3D fabrication education
service aimed at Designers, Creative and
Makers. They also deliver 3d modeling
courses for beginners to help them get
maximum satisfaction from 3d printers.
Students learn the entire workflow, from
downloading files, modeling components in
3d through design iterations to the
workflow, to become a pro at 3D printing.
32. 5) RegCourse
It offers an online platform for university
students to gain an insight of the
professors' teaching performance and to
share their learning reflections on a variety
university courses. With the help of
technology, they revolutionize the
university study experience. They shape a
better campus and study experience for
students as well as the university.
RegCourse is currently available at eight
universities in Hong Kong with more than
5k learning reflections and over 10k
professor profiles.
33. 6) 3DAS
3DAS is an online education company that
uses 3D gaming technology to run live classes.
It is a school that is trying challenge the
traditional classroom-teaching model. Being a
high-tech education company, they are willing
to try any new tools that can help them to
enhance the online offering for better
experience of students. 3D Avatar School aims
to redefine online learning by providing 21st
century students the opportunity to learn and
practice language in a collaborative, goal-
oriented and fun environment.
34. 7) Making Smart Choices
It is a mobile app that teaches
adolescents about sex education. The
app is language interactive game
developed by the Faculty of Education
of the University of Hong Kong (HKU)
to make their young generation aware
about the safe sex knowledge.
35. One major goal is to provide flexibility in the system
and allow for different student learning styles and
levels. New flexibility in resource allocation allows for
many of these reforms to take place—for instance
there are now gifted programs and support programs
for students with special needs. While most class sizes
are still larger than what you see in America, the
government has been investing resources to
incrementally improve the student-to-teacher ratio.
Teacher training programs and the development of
leadership capabilities is another area of focus. In fact,
principals are considered partners in reform work and
have a key voice in policy .