Media
First global recipient of the 150th Anniversary book
Press Release: 15 January 2008
Contact: Binda Rai +44 (0) 20 7862 8545
Peter Quinn +44 (0)20 7664 5584
(left-to-right)
Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor, University of London; Mr Au-Yeung Wai Man, graduate; Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean, University of London External System
Au-Yeung Wai Man is the first person in the world to be presented with a copy of the 150th Anniversary book entitled The People’s University: 150 Years of the University of London and its External students.
Mr Au-Yeung, who graduated with an MSc degree in Financial Management from the University of London, was the first of 262 graduates who received a copy of the illustrated book in addition to their degree certificates at a special ceremony. The ceremony was held on Sunday 13 January at HKU SPACE (Hong Kong University School of Professional and Continuing Education), which over the past 50 years has provided teaching support for students on study programmes offered by the University of London External System.
Speaking after the graduation ceremony in Hong Kong, Mr Au-Yeung, a Sales Manager employed by a large American company based in Hong Kong, said he worked hard for his degree whilst going out to work, and was now delighted to play a small part in making history for the 150th Anniversary celebrations by becoming the first recipient of the anniversary book.
He added: “It’s clear by just looking at the cover of this book, which features people like Nelson Mandela, that I have joined a group of special people by graduating with a University of London degree through the University of London External System. These are all people who have made a difference to their own lives and to the lives of those around them, not just in Hong Kong but all over the world.”
Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, who presided over the graduation ceremony, said a great deal had been achieved over the past 50 years through the University of London External System’s close relationship with HKU SPACE. He said their close and successful relationship had allowed the two organisations to work together to really benefit the students and the wider communities.
In his address, Sir Graeme explained that many people see distance and flexible learning as a new concept that has emerged as a result of electronic communication, but the University of London, he said, had been delivering it for 150 years worldwide.
Professor Enoch Young, Director of HKU SPACE, which has 1,000 annual student registrations and a total of 7,000 students studying through the External System, congratulated the University of London on its success and said he was delighted to have participated in the first celebratory event for the 150th Anniversary.
Hong Kong was the first of four launch events planned over the coming weeks. The other launch events take place in London and Delhi on 23 and 28 January respectively, and Lagos on Friday 15 February.
-ENDS-
Editors Notes:
HKU SPACE
- HKU SPACE is the extension arm of the University of Hong Kong and collaborates with the University of London External System in the provision of study programmes that are timely and relevant in meeting the needs of society by updating the knowledge and skills of its workforce.
- It provides learning opportunities by collaborating with other faculties of Hong Kong University and the University of London External System as well as other institutions.
- With 897 full-time staff and over 2,000 part-time teachers, HKU SPACE is the leading provider in Hong Kong for continuing education.
The University of London
- The University of London was established in 1836 and is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse universities in the United Kingdom.
- The University’s founding principle is to provide education for all, irrespective of race, creed or political belief.
- In 1858, the University of London was granted its fourth charter, which paved the way for the establishment of the University of London External System.
- The University of London External System is a unique global network of 41,000 students in 180 countries, on more than 100 study programmes ranging from social sciences to law to health.
- The External System has been instrumental in the formation of British higher education – all English and Welsh universities founded between 1849-1949 offered University of London degrees before obtaining charters to award their own.
- Between 1946-1970, the External System played a significant role in establishing many Commonwealth universities under a unique scheme of ‘special relations’.
- Through the External System higher education was made available to a much wider range of social classes; it pre-empted 20th Century developments in open, flexible and distance learning by more than 100 years.
- Famous former students and alumni of the External System include five Nobel Prize Winners: Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, Ronald Coase, Wole Soyinka, Derek Walcott and Nelson Mandela.
- Further information is available on www.londonexternal.ac.uk/150
- Picture caption (left-to-right): Sir Graeme Davies, Vice-Chancellor, University of London; Mr Au-Yeung Wai Man, graduate; Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean, University of London External System.
- Additional photographs are available on request.
For further information contact:
Binda Rai
Head of Global Media and Public Relations
University of London External System
Email: binda.rai@london.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7862 8545 (office)
07920 476483 (mobile)
Peter Quinn
Senior Communications Manager
University of London External System
Email: peter.quinn@london.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 5584 (office)