Dr Gustavo Berlanga, Dr David Lan, Professor Jasper Tsang, Professor Eddie Ng, Distinguished Guests, committees and members of the Social Enterprise Research Academy, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am deeply honoured to receive this Honorary Fellowship from the Social Enterprise Research Academy today, at its 10th anniversary.

Over the past decade, SERA has established itself as a distinctive hub for sustainable development and social responsibility across Asian communities, driving positive changes through innovative and collaborative approaches. And I am proud to join the SERA community, working together with other members as a united force for good.

The unique power of the performing arts can educate, empower, inspire and unite
communities to drive positive impact through the universal language of creativity.

Ranked number one in Asia in the category of performing arts education for 6 consecutive years, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and I wholeheartedly believe in the creativity of young people and their ability to make the world a better place.

On a more personal level, throughout my life’s work, I strongly believe that performing arts, when wielded with purpose, has a unique power to inspire, and create positive impact on the world.

Our commitment to sustainability is a guiding principle that shapes our educational offerings, operations, campus, and overall institutional culture.

Through transformative learning experiences, sustainable teaching practices, transdisciplinary and transcultural collaborations, and open dialogues, HKAPA empowers our students to become agents and leaders of positive change, using their creative talents to shine a light on various issues, foster cross-cultural developments, and inspire meaningful projects.

Our robust community engagement programmes connect different communities in Hong Kong with performing arts experiences, regardless of their backgrounds. As HKAPA is going to celebrate our 40th anniversary starting September this year, we will be offering a wide array of programmes to engage different communities in Hong Kong and beyond.

It is through these holistic efforts that we can nurture boundless creative and meaningful initiatives and cultivate a more sustainable and brighter future for all.

To the Social Enterprise Research Academy, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt thanks to you for presenting me this very special Honorary Fellowship which I humbly accept on behalf of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts; for without the support of my colleagues in our community over the past 28 years, I would not be standing here today. They have inspired me every step of the way and I feel honoured to have led the Academy out of the pandemic period to become an even more robust organisation.

Finally, I believe in the boundless potential of our talented students and the younger generations – the remarkable young minds who will shape the future we all share.

Let us continue to push our creative boundaries and forge a brighter tomorrow and a sustainable environment for all.

Thank you.