CERCular: No.2 of 1997

This is the first issue of CERCular to be published since Hong Kong's reversion of sovereignty on 1 July 1997. In some respects, the political transition began long before 1 July; and it is arguable that it is not yet complete. Aspects which concern the education sector are the focus of the most recent book published by CERC, entitled Education and Political Transition: Implications of Hong Kong's Change of Sovereignty. Readers will find details of the book inside this newsletter.

Among the many questions raised by the change of sovereignty are ones which relate to the nature of comparative education and to the way that Hong Kong might view itself in this domain. Parts of the field of comparative education are divided between studies which focus on industrialized countries and ones which focus on less developed countries. The question then arises how scholars in Hong Kong might contribute. Hong Kong is undeniably a prosperous and industrialized society (perhaps moving to a post-industrial nature). But with the reintegration, Hong Kong has again become part of a country with one of the lowest per capita incomes of the world.

This duality underlines the special role that can and is played by specialists in comparative education who are based in Hong Kong. We are well known as a society 'where East meets West'; and we are also a society which has insights into both prosperous and impoverished worlds. The pages of this newsletter show that CERC members have wide-ranging interests and expertise, and are contributing to research which focuses on both industrialized and less developed societies. The change of sovereignty provides enhanced opportunities for collaboration with our compatriots in mainland China; and we are also maintaining and extending our links with other industrialized and less developed parts of Asia, as well as with Europe, North America and other parts of the world.

We again invite readers of this newsletter to get in touch with us on matters of comparative education with which we might usefully collaborate. Readers who do not know us personally might like to learn more, beginning with our web site (http://www.fe.hku.hk/cerc).

Mark Bray