To address the future development of Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) in Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) today (4 January) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The International Alliance for Education Accreditation (IAEA) to promote VPET by exploring professional accreditation mechanisms and curriculum development in this regard. This initiative echoes the government's strategy of promoting VPET as a parallel pathway to conventional academic education, as stated in its latest Policy Address.
The MoU was signed by Dr Patrick Yun Pui-ho, Executive Co-Director of the University’s Institute of Professional and Vocational Education and Lifelong Learning (IPVELL); and Mr Samson Lee Lai-ting, Founder and Executive Chairman of IAEA. The ceremony was witnessed by Professor John Lee Chi-Kin, President and Director of the Academy for Educational Development and Innovation of EdUHK, and Dr Carmen Pang Yuk-ling, Founding President of the International Beauty and Health General Union.
Dr Patrick Yun said, “Both conventional academic education and VPET bear the responsibility of transmitting knowledge and skills to nurture future talent. Through this collaboration, we aim to create new horizons for the vocational education landscape to cope with societal needs, while enhancing the competitiveness of our talent.” He added that IPVELL looked forward to working with different sectors and organisations for the VPET development of Hong Kong.
Under the agreement, both parties will jointly explore the development of VPET programmes, providing students with diverse learning opportunities and enriching their learning experiences . In the long run, micro-credentials courses may be offered to encourage students to pursue applied learning, professional development, and vocational education-related courses based on their interests, abilities and career goals.
Also attending the ceremony were Mr Byron Ng Kwok-keung, Executive Director of the Employees Retraining Board (ERB); Mr Patrick Pang, Deputy Executive Director (Training Services) of ERB; and Mr Steve Lai, General Manager of the Qualifications Framework Secretariat of the Education Bureau.
Mr Samson Lee said, “We hope this collaboration could encourage practitioners to pursue further learning at higher education institutions, fostering the development of VPET.”
