The public knows her for her strong personality. But yesterday, Fanny Law revealed her rarely-seen emotional side as she bade farewell to her colleagues at the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB).

At the gathering, EMB secretary Arthur Li said the education reform started by Law would continue.

Speaking at the farewell party organized by EMB colleagues, a tearful Law, who joined the government in 1975, shared her feelings during her eight-year stint at EMB.

Education reform was a daunting task, she said, adding she was fortunate and blessed to have worked under the able leadership of Li.

She also thanked all her colleagues for their cooperation and hard work and hoped there would be future education development under the leadership of Wong.

Law also expressed hope that in future the different deputy secretaries and principal assistant secretaries would directly explain education policies to public in their respective responsible areas of work.

She said she was confident that the education reform started by her would be carried on by her EMB colleagues.

She believed ICAC and EMB could work closely together in moral and civic education.

Law said she would miss all her colleagues as she received a big thank-you card from the colleagues. In return, she gave Li a photo frame of a picture they took together at opening of Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre in August.

Li said he was happy that Fan had been shifted to the important post as ICAC Commissioner.

The EMB secretary said he was impressed by Law's dedication and hard work.

He also joked that colleagues were scared of her attitude to hard work as she starts work at 7:00 in the morning, and would still write email to staff at 12:00 midnight.

He wished her success at ICAC and said he would miss her.