Steering Dreams to Boundless Shores: HKUGA College Celebrates 20 Years of Educational Innovation and Visionary Leadership

As HKUGA College marks its momentous 20th Anniversary alongside its landmark grand concert, "The Elements 2026," a special commemorative video has been released to celebrate this milestone. Featuring key founders and institutional leaders, the retrospective offers an inspiring look back at two decades of pioneering whole-person education, guided by the enduring motto: "Twenty Years in Glorious Sail, Steering Dreams to Boundless Shores."

The video chronicles the school’s journey from a bold concept during Hong Kong's late-1990s education reforms to a thriving benchmark institution today, detailing its foundational values, systemic triumphs, and strategic vision for the next twenty years.

The Genesis: A Bold Vision for Joyful Learning

The origin of HKUGA College was rooted in a desire to transform the local educational landscape. Mr. Andrew Fung, Founding Member of HKUGA and Chancellor of HKUGAC, recalls that the school was conceived to alleviate the intense examination pressure faced by students at the time. Seeking to replace traditional rote learning with an active, joyful, and exploratory curriculum, the founders launched an initiative that resonated deeply with the public. This vision was powerfully validated by a declaration signed by over 4,000 pioneering parents, establishing a solid foundation of community trust and shared purpose before the school even opened its doors.

Building upon this groundswell of parental support, the school commenced operations in 2006 with a distinct structural advantage. Mr. Yeung Pak-sing, HKUGA Education Foundation Founding Chairman, reflects on the liberation of starting an institution from scratch. Free from traditional institutional constraints and historic baggage, the College successfully cultivated an open campus culture. This exploratory environment birthed the unique "HKUGA Spirit"—a defining mindset characterized by courage in the face of innovation, meticulous preparation, and a deeply collaborative community ethos.

Validating Whole-Person Education Through Alumni Impact

The ultimate measure of any educational philosophy lies in the character and contributions of its graduates. From its inception, the College rejected the narrow definition of success based solely on academic metrics, focusing instead on comprehensive character development, arts, sports, and critical thinking.

Dr. Chan Kow-tak, HKUGA Founding Member and HKUGAC Founding Chancellor, emphasizes that the true validation of this whole-person model is visible in the school’s alumni network. He highlights inspiring stories of graduates who have achieved remarkable professional excellence—such as entering demanding medical fields—while remaining deeply grounded in altruism. These alumni regularly dedicate their expertise to international volunteerism, providing medical aid to underserved global regions and exemplifying the school's core mission to nurture compassionate global citizens.

The Next Horizon: "School Plus" and Regional Leadership

As HKUGA College enters its third decade, its leadership is focused on extending its educational impact beyond the campus perimeter through outward-looking strategic initiatives.

Mrs. Mabel Lee, Former Foundation Chairwoman and the Second Chancellor of HKUGAC, introduces the innovative "School Plus" (學校+) model. This framework positions the College not merely as an isolated center of learning, but as an active collaborator within the broader community. Under this model, the College aims to share its proprietary, time-tested curriculum insights—specifically its pioneering work in positive education and philosophical inquiry—to enrich and support the wider Hong Kong educational ecosystem.

Concluding the roadmap for the future, Dr. Victor Ng, Foundation Chairman, outlines the strategic imperatives for the next 20 years. He underscores the commitment to equipping the next generation of leaders with masteries in bi-literate and tri-lingual communication, alongside the ability to seamlessly integrate Eastern and Western cultural wisdom. By fostering these competencies, the College ensures its students are uniquely positioned to confidently embrace the vast socioeconomic and regional development opportunities emerging within the Greater Bay Area and on the global stage.

A Shared Legacy

The 20th Anniversary signifies more than a historical milestone; it stands as a testament to the collective dedication of educators, parents, and students who have dared to steer dreams toward boundless shores. Members of the HKUGA community, alumni, and friends are warmly invited to watch the full commemorative video below to experience the legacy, heart, and future of HKUGA College.

Watch the 20th Anniversary Commemorative Video 👇

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/75f3fb_629cb04d657240f695afea2eeb17cae0/1080p/mp4/file.mp4