EdUHK President John Lee Chi-Kin spells out the university's future plan at its annual luncheon on Fab 21, 2024. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The head of the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) on Wednesday spelled out his plan for inviting experts from both inside and outside the city to come up with teaching materials and training programs on national security.

The initiative, part of the university’s overall efforts to enhance the community’s understanding of national security and the country’s development, is led by the university’s newly established National Security and Legal Education Research Centre.

As teachers have a significant influence on the next generation, the university will also prioritize the cultivation of teachers’ personal integrity under the concept of “Education Talent Virtue” this year, Lee said

Discussing the plan with the media at its annual luncheon, EdUHK President John Lee Chi-Kin said the center will also update its work with the local legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The government currently has the legislation under public consultation, after which the legislation will be presented to the city’s legislature.

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The government proposed introducing new national security legislation under the local legislation of Article 23, which requires the city to enact laws on its own to prohibit seven types of crimes, including espionage, theft of State secrets, and secession.

The center, unlike other similar institutions on national security, centers on promoting awareness of safeguarding national security and upholding national security-related laws among the public.

As teachers have a significant influence on the next generation, the university will also prioritize the cultivation of teachers’ personal integrity under the concept of “Education Talent Virtue” this year, Lee said. This concept is devised by the university to emphasize the importance of nurturing talent while cultivating virtue, he said.

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Specifically, the university will enhance teachers’ training in patriotism and love for Hong Kong, Lee said. For example, the university will organize forums on values education, fostering the cultivation of positive values among teachers, he said.

As the university marks its 30th anniversary, a series of celebratory events under the tagline “Education Talent Virtue” will take place to promote the spirit of EdUHK’s educational heritage, Lee said.

These events include a banquet in November for distinguished members of the community, colleagues from the education sector, and EdUHK faculty and staff, Lee said.

EdUHK will also launch this year a new organization, the Centre for Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies this year, with the aim of fostering close collaboration with higher education research centers in Hong Kong, on the mainland, and overseas, Lee said.

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This center, the first of its kind in Hong Kong, will also offer a new Master of Arts in Global Higher Education program from the 2024-25 school year, Lee said.