Dear Colleagues,
I regularly receive thank you cards from students and other members of our community. However, one I received recently is special because it was from a group of inmate students, who wrote to express their gratitude to HKMU for providing them with an opportunity to receive higher education while in confinement.
As HKMU President, I have often had to introduce our university to community leaders and visitors. I always mention that we have over 12,000 full-time undergraduate students, about 4,000 taught postgraduate students, and Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy students. Seldom do I mention that we also have 200 to 300 inmate students amongst the 6,000 to 7,000 distance-learning students.
In fact, the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong, the Open University of Hong Kong and now Hong Kong Metropolitan University have provided quality academic programmes to inmate students since 1990. In the past three decades, over 1,200 students have completed their studies, which I hope and trust have helped them start a new life. A dedicated team of HKMU faculty and staff is the single most important reason for this successful endeavour. I take my hat off to them!
There are actually several other organisations that provide needed services to people in prison. HKMU is unique in that our demonstrated strengths, capabilities and track record in distance learning have enabled inmates to earn bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in a wide range of disciplines.
In the past year or so, there has been an increasing level of interest in, and a lot of discussion on, how we can provide education opportunities to inmates and subsequently help them find employment upon their release. These developments are encouraging and welcome. However, societal interest and enthusiasm can be short-lived.
It is important for HKMU to make sure that our efforts will be sustained and that we will always be there to provide assistance to people in confinement regardless of the level of interest in our community at the time.
Paul LAM Kwan-sing
President
