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University of Manitoba Alumni Dinner

Remarks by the Hon. David Kilgour,

Member of Parliament for Edmonton Southeast and
Secretary Of State (Asia-Pacific)
Hong Kong, November 9, 2002

President Szathmary (Sat-mar-ee), Ms. Mui, honoured guests.

I am delighted to be here today. As Secretary of State for Asia-Pacific, my job is to represent Canadian interests in the region, which is what has brought me to Hong Kong this week. One of my priorities as Secretary of State is to promote Canadian education in Asia-Pacific. Canada, as all of you know, is home to some of the best colleges and universities in the world, which makes my job easier. We have a great product to sell.

The University of Manitoba, however, holds a special place in my heart - it is where I entered University too many years ago at the ripe old age of 16 and graduated with a BA. There were plenty of good professors who really cared about both the students and the subjects they taught. One, the late Professor Scabie, discovering that I couldn’t write a proper essay allowed me to write a one page piece before every one of her classes. We students were real human beings to lecturers like her and I’m sure that this tradition continues.

I can’t think of a more fitting way to celebrate the 125th anniversary of my own alma mater than to be here in Hong Kong with all of you, in the city that boasts the most U of M grads in the world - outside Canada, of course.

I have a great love for Hong Kong and its people. This is a vibrant city with a great future built on its traditions as an open international centre, a window on China for the rest of the world and a window on the world for China.. Your city prides itself on its commitment to the Rule of Law and to the freedoms which its people enjoy. These are precious assets to be nurtured. The Rule of Law ultimately derives from acceptance of the authority of the lawmaking system: for it to prosper in the long term, the legal system needs to be secured by continued progress in the development of democratic institutions.

I have been visiting Hong Kong primarily to support a trade mission of 40 companies organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Canada, but I have also taken the opportunity to meet a wide spectrum of opinion makers and to discuss this with them.

As a student at U of M, one of the things I learned is the importance of having people to look up to - role models, if you will. As I look around this room, I see that there is no shortage of role models here, for your colleagues, your children or other grads from U of M. The successes aren’t limited to the people in this room. The Hon. Albert Chan (BA/78, BSW/80) is a member of the Legislative Council representing New Territories West. At the federal level, My colleague, Dr. Rey Pagtakan (MSc/69), is now Canada’s Minister of Veteran’s Affairs and Secretary of State for Science, Research, and Development. Many of you may know Jim Feir (BcomHons/75), who was senior trade commissioner at our Consulate in Hong Kong; Jim is now Consul General in Guangzhou. Dr. John Wiebe (BSc/66), is President and CEO of the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada. I could go on, but I don’t think I have to. So many of you have taken fascinating routes, that I couldn’t possibly do justice to the accomplishments you’ve enjoyed over the years.

But allow me to say this. Each time a fellow alumni succeeds, the University of Manitoba reaps the rewards, as do U of M grads. In fact, every time someone scans your C.V. - every time someone reads your bio on your corporate website - your education at U of M is leaving its mark. It is the boost that gives you the edge we all need to succeed.

The University of Manitoba recognizes that the value of your degree is tied to the accomplishments of its graduates, but it continually strives for more. U of M understands that your marketability in your careers is also linked to its institutional reputation. To that end, the university is constantly exploring new ideas; and is quickly becoming known as an innovator in education. Many of your children, for example, may have participated in U of M’s mini-universities and children’s camps. These programs are so successful that they are now being copied by other institutions around the globe. The bottom line for you - and we’re all interested in bottom lines - is that these initiatives help to improve your return on your investment. As graduates from a university that is a leader in its field, your opportunities are limitless. The world is yours for the taking!

Your marketability, however, is not just tied to U of M. You have a Canadian education, and that stands for something too. Canada has some of the best post-secondary institutions in the world. You recognized that when you decided where to go to school. As prospective students, you not only chose U of M. You also chose Canada ... and we’re thrilled that you did.

Innovation, as you probably know, is no stranger to Canada. U of M is an innovator in education, but we have many innovators in health. Many of our researchers are conducting breakthrough diabetes research. Others are now developing the longest fibre optic network in the world. Many of you know this firsthand because you’ve spent time with us there. Some of you spent several years exploring what our country has to offer. But not everyone sees Canada for what it truly is. Many people still see us as a country of Mounties and snow. We have beautiful scenery. We’re seen as a country of nice people. But there’s so much more to Canada! This is where all of you come in. As graduates of a Canadian university, you are all Ambassadors of Canada. You’re Canada’s face in the world. We are all so incredibly proud of your successes. We hope you’re just as proud of Canada’s and that you can help spread the word.

The Government of Canada is working itself to rebrand Canada, particularly in Asia-Pacific. But our best tool for marketing Canadian education, for example, is not a booth at a trade show; it is a successful experience shared. It is a capable grad - in your case, an extraordinary grad - ready to face the challenge of a competitive borderless world. When you succeed, you benefit, the U of M benefits, Canadian education benefits ... and so does Canada.

On a personal note, I’m enormously proud to see the strength of your network here in Hong Kong. It’s no surprise that tonight’s dinner is one of only two events commemorating this special anniversary for U of M. I hope that you’ll continue to work together colleagues and friends, and that you continue to be as proud of Canada as we are of you. Best wishes to each of you in whatever endeavours lie ahead ... Thank you, good night.

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