HKPC Collaborates with the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education To Promote the Development of TechEd and Nurture the Next Generation of Aspiring I&T Talent

(Hong Kong, 12 April 2023) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the Hong Kong Academy for Gifted Education (HKAGE) announced today that they had signed a collaborative framework agreement (CFA) to establish a strategic partnership, committing to jointly promote TechEd, enhance the interest of students in innovation and technology (I&T), help equip students with the FutureSkills required for the 21st century, and cultivate more aspiring local I&T talent.

To support Hong Kong's development into an international I&T hub, the government has been committed to promoting STEAM education in primary and secondary schools to enhance Hong Kong's global competitiveness. To further align with the government's development direction and policies, and provide more high-quality and challenging extramural education services, including specific areas of TechEd, to gifted students while nourishing those with potentials, HKPC and HKAGE have signed the CFA to actively exchange, explore and promote the all-round development of TechEd, providing more opportunities for students to enhance their TechEd knowledge, encouraging them to enter the I&T industry, and building a sustainable supply of I&T talent. With HKAGE's rich educational experience in the local academic community and HKPC's expertise in training and technological support, this partnership will promote TechEd to over 8,000 primary and secondary school students of HKAGE, popularise TechEd in schools, and build a TechEd learning ecosystem.

HKPC and HKAGE have been working closely to promote TechEd and cultivate student's interest in I&T. The two organisations have previously co-organised "AR/VR Course (Level II): Creating Virtual • Hong Kong" and "TecHunt Game Day", allowing HKAGE students to learn about a range of new technologies, such as virtual technology, 5G, cyber security, AI and robotics, as well as Industry 4.0 and Internet of Things, etc. through interactive games, to prepare for the future of work in a digital era. HKPC has also invited HKAGE students to participate in the "Youth Aerospace TechEd Programme" to experience national space technology achievements. In the future, the two organisations will continue working together to provide HKAGE students with diversified TechEd activities, including local and overseas I&T competitions, I&T study tours to overseas and Greater Bay Area, entrepreneurship workshop series, and FinTech training programmes, etc., to meet the changing market demands and challenges, amid nurturing students to become future leaders of the I&T industry.

Ms Karen FUNG, General Manager, InnoPrenuer and FutureSkills of HKPC, said, “The National 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong's development into an international I&T hub. In addition to attracting overseas talent, nurturing local technology talent is even more critical. HKPC conducted an ‘Online Survey – Nurturing Our Own Home-Grown STEM Talent 2022’ last year and discovered nearly 90% of parents support children to be exposed to TechEd from an early age. Therefore, HKPC is pleased to collaborate with HKAGE to combine HKPC's experience and strengths in TechEd, together with the extensive network of HKAGE in the academic community, to jointly provide more opportunities for primary and secondary school students to learn TechEd. Going forward, we will work more closely together, and actively connect with various sectors to build a comprehensive ecosystem for TechEd, and cultivate future I&T talent so as to enhance Hong Kong's overall competitiveness.”

Dr Jimmy WONG, Executive Director of HKAGE, said, “I am very pleased to have reached the CFA with HKPC, a leader in the I&T and industrial fields. With this collaboration, I hope that our gifted students’ competency in InnoTech as well as their awareness of the applicability of STEAM knowledge on solving everyday problems can be enhanced, and that they can get a taste of the cutting-edge technologies and facilities that are not available in schools. I hope that our gifted members will be inspired to design and invent innovative products for the benefit of the society.”

On the event day, around 50 HKAGE students participated in laser-cutting and 3D printing maker workshops at the HKPC Building, learning the potential applications of various technologies, cultivating students' creativity and innovative thinking to inject more innovative power into future development.

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Ms Karen FUNG, General Manager, InnoPrenuer and FutureSkills of HKPC (left) and Mr WONG Chung Po, Associate Director (Programme) of the HKAGE (right) announced the signing of a CFA to establish a strategic partnership and jointly promote TechEd.

HKAGE students used laser cutting and 3D printing technology to produce souvenirs to celebrate the 15th anniversary of HKAGE. At the event, student representatives presented the souvenirs to Ms Karen FUNG, General Manager, InnoPrenuer and FutureSkills of HKPC (second from left) and Mr WONG Chung Po, Associate Director (Programme) of the HKAGE (second from right).

HKPC and HKAGE will work closely to promote TechEd to over 8,000 primary and secondary school students of HKAGE, popularise TechEd in schools, and build a TechEd learning ecosystem.