STUDENT AMBASSADORS EAGER TO SHARE HONG KONG’S HERITAGE

A ceremony held 4 November to appoint 28 high school students as Student Heritage Ambassadors confirmed growing community awareness and interest in promoting Hong Kong’s unique culture and history.

Officiating at the ceremony were Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Professor David Lung, SBS, JP; Principal of St Paul’s Co-educational College, Mr Poon Chun-kau; Acting Commissioner for Tourism Mrs Erika Hui, and Hong Kong Tourist Association (HKTA) Chairman The Hon Mrs Selina Chow, JP.

The Student Heritage Ambassador Programme was initiated by St Paul’s Co-educational College in response to students expressing interest in Hong Kong’s heritage.

The Student Heritage Ambassador Programme is supported by the Heritage Tourism Task Force (HTTF) established by the HKTA and is funded by the Education Department’s Quality Education Fund. The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) and Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) are responsible for training.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the HKTA Visitor Information and Services Centre in Central, Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Professor David Lung, welcomed the introduction of the Student Heritage Ambassador Programme and associated promotion of Hong Kong’s heritage.

“Architecture is a blending of various institutions in the society. As Student Heritage Ambassadors, you bright young people should be made aware of the intricate relationships among these institutions in the society and how they are exhibited in the historical buildings and heritage sites that you will be introducing to our overseas visitors,” said Professor Lung.

“You may not have taken part in building our past, but its preservation and conservation rest with you. And it is time to think about how to save the history you are helping to build today and tomorrow.”

Ancillary benefits of the programme include the development of students’ sense of belonging; awareness and appreciation of Hong Kong’s heritage; improved language skills through contact with English-speaking visitors, as well as enriching visitors’ travel experiences.

HKTA Chairman Selina Chow acknowledged the benefits derived by the community and visitors to Hong Kong through the establishment of such a programme. “The HKTA has been working with the younger generation to promote Hong Kong through the Student Ambassador Programme. Heritage tourism, meanwhile, is one of the major aspects of Hong Kong that HKTA promotes,” she said.

“This programme adds a human element to our promotional efforts which should multiply the effect. Knowledge of our heritage assets is most important and the willingness to share this with overseas visitors even more so.

“Having completed the training, these young and enthusiastic ambassadors will be posted to the HKTA Visitor Information and Services Centre. They have a lot to learn but I hope they will meet the challenge with good faith.”

Each Student Heritage Ambassador will be posted to the HKTA Visitor Information and Services Centre in Central, on a roster once a week from November 2000 to May 2001, escorting visitors who subscribe to the HKTA’s Heritage and Architecture Walks, or answering counter enquiries.

Commenting on her participation in the training programme, student, Estee Wong said: “In the past six training sessions, we have learnt about different topics and developed new and useful skills. Of all the sessions, undoubtedly, the site visit to So Kwun Wat — an archaeological dig — was the most interesting as it was time for our own hands-on session.

“We did not expect to ‘dig’ out anything, however, miraculously, two of us found two rusty nails, which were believed to be the nails of a coffin. It was just so exciting!

“We were so fortunate to have been able to join this pioneer project and learn a lot of things that are out of the syllabus. I believe that being a Student Heritage Ambassador will be the most unforgettable experience for all of us.”

The Principal of St Paul’s Co-educational College, Mr Poon Chun-kau, expressed his delight with the programme and the benefits for participating students: “As Heritage Ambassadors, students are here to learn. The benefits they are going to reap will not disappear at the end of the programme, but will stay to enrich them throughout their whole life,” he said.

“I hope students, as ambassadors, will represent the best of Hong Kong, showing visitors the hospitality and courtesy that we want so much to promote. And I also hope that they will fulfil their duties with the utmost diligence, enthusiasm and a great sense of responsibility.”

Acting Commissioner for Tourism, Mrs Erika Hui, also gave her blessings to the ambassadors at the appointment ceremony and wished them success in their endeavours.