The Role of Lifelong Learning in Hong Kong becoming an International Innovation & Technology Hub

Hong Kong is positioning itself as an international innovation and technology hub, and it is essential for individuals and organizations to engage in lifelong learning to achieve this goal. The rapid pace of technological advancements means that people need to continuously update their skills and knowledge. Technologies such as AI, machine learning, blockchain, 5G networks, quantum computing, and metaverse are changing the way industries operate, and individuals need to keep up with these changes to remain competitive. Industry-institution collaboration is a crucial aspect of lifelong learning, as it allows businesses and academic institutions to work together to develop and deliver relevant training programmes that are tailored to the specific needs of industry. Collaboration also promotes innovation and drives economic growth by fostering the transfer of knowledge and expertise between academia and industry. By investing in lifelong learning and industry-institution collaboration, Hong Kong can stay ahead of the curve in the global innovation and technology landscape. These initiatives enable individuals and organizations to stay up-to-date with the latest advancements and adapt to changing circumstances while promoting innovation and driving economic growth.

The Development of Applied Degrees in Hong Kong and the Way Forward

The development of Applied Degrees in Hong Kong occupies a significant position in the context of Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) pathway.   The development signifies itself as the first final destination of VPET pathway in light of lifelong learning and serves to articulate with the applied learning in the secondary school and higher diploma programmes at post-secondary level.   The initial outcomes are encouraging in terms of admission from various sources of students and in attracting government support from funding and policies, including in the Policy Address.   An initial model of Applied Degrees is emerging in terms of characteristics and features established through pilot implementations.   A first draft guide on the development of Applied Degrees is being finalized and will soon getting ready for public dissemination.   Further development is envisaged in the second stage of development in terms of the model and the policy support.   It is premature to talk about the full impact of the development, in particular beyond self-financing sector as we need to get much more experience on the implementations.

Dr Lawrence CHEUNG

Chief Innovation Officer
Hong Kong Productivity Council

Dr Lawrence Cheung has over 30 years of experience in managing research and development and consultancy business portfolio. In HKPC, he currently manages a broad business functions on technology research and development as well as consultancy services in smart living, automotive, 5G applications, gerontech, green living technology, testing, food processing & Chinese medicine, FutureSkills training as well as SME and Start Up support.

He is respectively a Member of Steering Committee of New Energy Transport Fund and Assessment Committee of Green Tech Fund, all in the Environmental Protection Department; a Member of Steering Committee on Promotion of Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) and Qualifications Framework (QF) in the Education Bureau, and, a Member of the Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) Enterprise Support Scheme (ESS) Assessment Panel in the Innovation and Technology Commission.

He is also an Honorary Advisor of the Hong Kong Electronics and Technologies Association; an executive committee member of respectively the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association and the Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association; Member of Innovation & Technology Development Committee in Federation of Hong Kong Industries; and Member of Industry & Technology Committee in Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce.

Prior to joining HKPC, Dr Cheung had been living in Australia holding a senior research position in Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) of Australia. He obtained Bachelor of Engineering with 1st class honours and Bachelor of Science degrees from Monash University in Australia.  His doctorate degree on Computer Imaging research was also from Monash University.  Dr Cheung joined HKPC in 1996.

Mr Albert CHOW

Executive Director
Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications

Mr Albert H P Chow is currently the Executive Director of HKCAAVQ. Prior to joining HKCAAVQ, he was the Director of General Administration of Hong Kong Baptist University.  He has broad expertise in higher education, and vocational and professional education and training (VPET) sectors in Hong Kong and beyond. Before joining HKBU, Mr Chow had served as the Head of Academic Quality Assurance of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the Director of Qualifications cum Registrar of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). 

Internationally Mr Chow has made significant contributions to the education and professional practice agreements in the engineering and information technology fields.  Over the years, he has led HKIE projects in outcome-based accreditation and out-of-jurisdiction accreditation that are recognised by international agreements under the Washington Accord, Sydney Accord and Seoul Accord. Mr Chow was also chairman/member of a number of working groups and committees set up by the Government and the public sectors.

Mr Esmond LEE, JP

Deputy Secretary for Education
HKSAR Education Bureau

Mr Esmond Lee is a Deputy Secretary for Education in the Education Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. He is responsible for policies on higher and further education, covering the publicly-funded and self-financing post-secondary education sectors, the vocational education sector, adult education, and the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework.

Before taking up the current post, Mr Lee served in various policy bureaux and departments, including the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency, the Judiciary, and the Transport and Housing Bureau.

Dr Kim MAK, BBS, JP

President
Caritas Institute of Higher Education
Caritas Bianchi College of Careers

Kim is President of Caritas Institute of Higher Education and Caritas Bianchi College of Careers. Kim holds Ph.D. and M.Phil. from Cambridge University, MBA from City University London, and Bachelor of Engineering from University of Western Australia. Kim also holds the qualifications of Chartered Engineer, and Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers and Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology.

Kim is Chairman of the English Schools Foundation and Director of Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, and has the experience as Member of University Grants Committee.

Kim won the Director of the Year Awards of the Institute of Directors in two consecutive years.  He has a track record in corporations, working with government, legislators and the media, and leading major projects in Europe, Hong Kong and Mainland China. He has been awarded the Bronze Bauhinia Star, and is a Justice of Peace.

Dr Daniel YIP, JP

Chairman
HKSAR Steering Committee on Promotion of VPET & QF

Dr Daniel Yip is the managing director of G.E.W. International Corporation Limited (‘‘GEW’’). GEW is an electrical appliances manufacturer with original equipment manufacturing (OEM), original design manufacturing (ODM) and original brand manufacturing (OBM) business.

Dr Yip has over 35 years’ experience in the electrical appliances manufacturing industry, and holds a Bachelor Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master Degree in Business Administration, both from Rutgers University in the United States in 1987 and an Engineering Doctorate Degree from University of Warwick in the United Kingdom in 2008. Dr Yip has been appointed as an industrial fellow from University of Warwick in 2013. In 1999, Dr Yip received The Hong Kong Young Industrialists Award which shows the recognition of his personal achievements and commitment to the community.

Currently, Dr Yip is the Honorary President of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries after stepping down as Chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries in July 2021 and Deputy Chairman of Vocational Training Council. Dr Yip also holds a number of other public and community service positions, including Chairman of Advisory Committee of Recycling Fund, Chairman of Steering Committee on Promotion VPET & QF.

Professor Ronald CHUNG

Chairman, Federation for Self-financing Tertiary Education
Dean, HKBU School of Continuing Education

Professor Ronald Chung is currently the Dean of Continuing Education of Hong Kong Baptist University. He had been the Deputy Executive Director of Vocational Training Council of Hong Kong for more than five years. He had also spent almost 20 years at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, as Professor, Department Chair of Mechanical and Automation Engineering, and Associate Dean of Engineering.

Professor Chung received his first degree from The University of Hong Kong, and obtained his PhD from University of Southern California in the USA.  He is a fellow of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, a fellow of the British Computer Society, and a Chartered Engineer under the Engineering Council of the United Kingdom.

Professor Chung has been the Chairperson of FSTE (Federation for Self-financing Tertiary Education of Hong Kong) since 2019.