The 38th Graduation Ceremony of The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (the Academy) was held at the Academy Lyric Theatre this afternoon. The ceremony was officiated by Council Chairman Mr. Charles Yang Chuen-liang, BBS JP.
Professor Gillian Choa, Director of the Academy, delivered a speech at the ceremony. She remarked, “This year is particularly significant. Not only are we commemorating the Academy's 40th Anniversary, a milestone signifying its achievement as an internationally recognised conservatoire; we have also launched our 10-year Strategic Plan, establishing a strong direction for the Academy’s future. In short, it promises to scale up global influence on talent development, enrich transformative learning experiences, foster impactful technology-enabled research in practice, and be an environmentally responsible community. With these goals in mind, as in the past few years, we will continue to build significant partnerships/alliances in the region and globally with major educational institutions as well as industry, and stay robust and relevant.” Professor Choa warmly congratulated the Graduation Class of 2024 at the ceremony. “Today, as you step out into the world, armed with the knowledge, skills, and experiences gained here, I encourage you to hold onto the spirit of fearlessness and innovation, transcended with kindness and compassion; and see challenges as stepping-stones to greatness. Remember that true success lies in what the impact your art has on the world as well as your deep faith in your own ability.”
This year, a total of 314 graduates from the six Schools of the Academy; namely, Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts were conferred Master’s Degrees, Bachelor’s (Honours) Degrees, Advanced Diplomas, Diploma Foundations, or Certificates.
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (www.hkapa.edu)
The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA), established by The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Ordinance in 1984, is a leading tertiary institution in the performing arts in Asia. It provides professional undergraduate education and practice-based postgraduate studies. The study encompasses Chinese Opera, Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Its educational philosophy reflects the cultural diversity of Hong Kong with emphasis on Chinese and Western traditions, and interdisciplinary learning.
Since 2008, the Academy has attained the Programme Area Accreditation (PAA) status awarded by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) to self-monitor and accredit its own undergraduate and post-secondary programmes in the five programme areas of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, and Theatre and Entertainment Arts. Since 2016, the PAA status has been extended to cover Master’s Degree programmes and below; and since 2023, the programmes operated by the School of Chinese Opera accredited by HKCAAVQ has also received PAA status for its post-secondary and undergraduate programmes.
Besides the main campus in Wanchai, Béthanie, the site of the Academy’s Landmark Heritage Campus in Pokfulam, has housed training facilities for the School of Film and Television since 2006.
In the QS University Rankings announced in 2024, the Academy ranks 1st in Asia in the Performing Arts category.