V Sparkle

When tradition meets innovation - “VR Bun Scrambling” in Mid-Autumn Festival  — September 2024

The Community Engagement Unit (CEU) has ventured into the outlying islands for the first time, expanding visibility of VPET to the Cheung Chau community. On  Saturday, 14 September, CEU collaborated with T Cube Culture and Education to hold a booth activity titled “Cultural Heritage in the Community” at the Cheung Chau Cultural Centre, showcasing the “Virtual Reality (VR) Bun Scrambling” game developed by students of the Information Technology Discipline, and bachelor’s degree programme co-offered by the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) and the University of the West of England, Bristol. The event coincided with the Cheung Chau Rural Committee's Mid-Autumn Festival celebration, attracting many residents and tourists to experience the game. Martin KWOK, a descendant of the renowned Lucky Bun brand Kwok Kam Kee, also participated, sharing his thoughts with the students. He remarked, "The VR Bun Scrambling is fun and exciting, providing players with an immersive experience while showcasing the unique features of the Cheung Chau Bun Festival." He also offered valuable feedback on the game's smoothness and interactive elements.

The “VR Bun Scrambling” game was designed and developed by graduates of the Higher Diploma in Game Software Development and the Information Technology Bachelor's degree programme. Utilising VR technology, they transformed this traditional cultural activity into a virtual game, allowing participants to enjoy the competitive fun of bun scrambling without the constraints of time and location. The game primarily uses hand-tracking technology where players score points by grabbing the buns and placing them in the basket, with minimal foot movement required, making it suitable for elderly participants.

Student Ho expressed, “I am very happy to promote my schoolmate’s work to Cheung Chau. During our interactions with local residents and tourists, we received valuable feedback that will help us develop a game better suited for the community.”

We are currently exploring further enhancements and promotions of the student-developed game content in the Cheung Chau community, hoping to showcase the work during the Cheung Chau Bun Festival and provide more possibilities for our student projects within the community.

[Photo 1] (From left to right) Martin KWOK, a descendant of the renowned Lucky Bun brand Kwok Kam Kee, three students from the Information Technology Discipline, and T Cube Culture and Education representative May.

[Photo 2] Cheung Chau residents and tourists try out the "VR Bag Snatching" game.

[Photo 3] CEU colleagues and students at the Mid-Autumn Festival after dark.

Creating Lanterns: Beautiful Colors Illuminate the Community

During the Mid-Autumn Festival, various districts hosted unique activities to celebrate the reunion of family and friends. VTC students also applied their VPET skills to craft beautiful lanterns for the festive occasion.

Recently, students of Youth College were invited by the Blue House in Wan Chai to collaborate with local elite athletes, artists, and illustrators, and Wan Chai residents, to handcraft lanterns for the "Blue Night: Autumn Story" lantern festival. These lanterns were themed around Mid-Autumn wishes and personal creations, which were displayed within the Blue House complex during the festival.

Students of Diploma of Vocational Education (Jewellery Design and Technology) and Diploma of Vocational Education (Fashion) applied their drawing and design skills to help participants sketch on the lanterns, creating various patterns while exchanging design ideas with local artists. Student Man expressed, “I'm very happy to be part of the annual lantern festival at the Blue House, interacting with local residents while hand-painting lanterns. Throughout the process, I gained more understanding of Wan Chai's local culture and learned about the history of the Blue House. The residents were very appreciative of the lanterns we created.”

Over 600 lanterns were officially lit and hung recently. Come visit the Blue House and check out these amazing lanterns, where they will be displayed from now until 4 October.

[Photo 4] Residents and participants creating lanterns at the “Blue Night: Autumn Story: Hand-Painted Lantern Workshop”

[Bottom 5] Lanterns from the Blue House

Delivery of Care through VPET

CEU has launched the first phase of the “Fairwood × VTC Kindness in Action Programme” in collaboration with the Hong Kong fast-food chain Fairwood. Students of the Business Discipline and the Higher Diploma in Public Relations and Communication Management of IVE organised a “Fun Day with the Elderly”. Students served as community liaison ambassadors, liaising with Sham Shui Po District Elderly Community Centre of Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council (NAAC) to arrange the elderly to attend the event at Fairwood.

During the process, students first learned about the operations of Fairwood and assisted with the community activities. They then applied their knowledge of public relations, stakeholder engagement, event planning and management learned in class to prepare for the project proposal, including budgeting and activities design for the elderly, as well as inviting partner organisations to participate in the event. Students hosted a quiz game about traditional festivals and shared health tips related to the 24 solar terms with the elderly, while representatives from Fairwood provided complimentary refreshments and souvenirs. Many elderly participants expressed their joy in interacting with young people, sharing their valuable life experiences.

LI Ka-yan, a representative of NAAC, was very satisfied with the students' performance, “The students explained the games patiently, and the elderly had a great time during the activities.”Fairwood representative TSO Man-yee stated, “The students applied their classroom knowledge to a real-life event, giving them the opportunity to practise what they learned while ensuring the elderly had fun, which is beneficial to both parties.”

Student Chung expressed that he is happy being part of this program, "Being involved in this project from the beginning to completion has equipped me with the necessary skills for workplace. Seeing the elderly's happy faces gives me a sense of accomplishment which I find this event very meaningful."

[Photo 6] IVE students of Public Relations and Communication Management explaining the game rules to the elderly.

[Photo 7] Elderly participants, the students and Fairwood staff.

[Photo 8] Group photo: Fairwood Customer Service Manager TSO Man-yee and Li Ka-yan, Team Leader of the Sham Shui Po District Elderly Community Centre of NAAC, attend to support the students' event.

New Academic Year, New Slogan

In the new academic year, CEU will promote various community engagement projects under four major themes: Youth Development, Elderly and GeronTechnology, Sustainability, and Inclusivity. CEU comes up with the new slogan "YESi" using the initial letters of these four themes, hoping to create more opportunities for VTC students in various fields while serving the community, fully embodying the mission of “Community Connect with VPET”.

[Photo 9] YESi Logo.

CEU Upcoming Events

An Art Show: brushstrokes of Tomorrow

Date: Now until 27 October (Fri)

Time: by appointment

Venue: StudioKT (Rm 1206, Westley Square, 48 Hoi Yuen Rd, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong)

Introduction: CEU collaborated with HKDI students of the Higher Diploma in Illustration to address the issue of hidden youth by designing a series of creative board game. Student works will be exhibited during the event. There will also be several sharing session on board game-making, where students and project coordinators will share their creative concepts and development processes, as well as provide tasting workshop of the board games.

For more, please visit: https://www.studiokt.com.hk/zh/hkdi2

Care Food Education & Experience Zone

Date: 18 October (Fri)

Time: 10:45am-5pm
 Venue: 2/F, Ambulatory Care Centre (Extension), Queen Elizabeth Hospital

Introduction: During the exhibition, CEU will showcase the Soft Meal Dim Sum jointly developed by the students of VTC Health and Life Sciences Discipline and VTC Design Discipline, in collaboration with Sik Sik Yuen, increasing the public awareness.  The event will feature specialised talks, demonstrations of care food preparation, and an interactive exhibition of community resources, introducing information and services related to care food to patients and caregivers.

Online Registration: https://forms.gle/vev7s69k9THfUiYd8

Cultural Fusion “MELA”@ Wan Chai

Date: 20 October (Sun)

Time: 12pm to 4pm

Venue: Lee Tung Street, Wan Chai

Introduction: Supported by the Home Affairs Department, CEU, invited by the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service, will collaborate with the Hospitality Discipline and the Design Discipline to arrange a series of sports game workshops and musical performances to promote multicultures. Come and join us!

For details, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/d6rmovkXbFrxBodY/

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