The PSA Open Forum

The PSA held its first-ever public meeting, Open Forum, on May 4, 2008 at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. The guest of honour of the programme was the Consul General, Mr Tariq Shafi Chak, of Consulate General of Pakistan, Hong Kong. Representatives of different universities, schools, NGOs, communities and people from business sector attended the Open Forum.

The programme started with the welcome speech, which was delivered by Hafiz Mohammad, the chairman of the PSA. He welcomed all the guests and expressed his appreciation for their presence. Then, he highlighted the importance of education for minorities if they were to succeed in this fast-moving cosmopolitan city. He also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to all the schools, NGOs and other stakeholders who have been serving minorities in Hong Kong and are trying their best to uplift the status of minorities. He, then, emphasized that the PSA is formed with the very purpose of uplifting the educational status of Pakistani community and minorities at large.

Next, the guest of honour, Mr Tariq Shafi Chak, delivered a keynote speech. First, he congratulated the PSA Executive Committee for forming such a meaningful and much-needed organization. He said Pakistani people have been residing in Hong Kong for a long time, but they were lacking an educational platform from where they can be motivated to further their education. He remarked that the PSA has filled that gap. He also mentioned that the PSA has full cooperation from the Consulate General of Pakistan in the matters of education and offered the PSA to use Pakistan Consulate Library for educational purposes.

After that the PSA Executive Committee gave a detailed presentation on its mission, vision, objectives and future activities. After the presentation a Q&A session was held where the audience asked a range of questions on a number of different issues. A lot of encouragement from the audience was also communicated through the positive remarks they made about the efforts of people who have formed the PSA.

At the end of the programme, the vice chairman of the PSA, Ibrar Muhammad Abbasi, expressed his gratitude on behalf of the PSA Executive Committee to all the participants for their attendance and encouragement. The programme was concluded with the refreshments.