V Sparkle

Connecting VPET with the Community: A Win-Win Collaboration for Students — February 2025

Community Engagement Recognition Ceremony: Celebrate VTC Students and Teachers’ Contributions to the Community

On 16 February (Sunday), VTC students and teachers gathered at the Link Sustainability Lab in Lok Fu Place for the VTC Community Engagement Recognition Ceremony for AY23/24 cum Kick-Off Ceremony for the VTC Community Engagement Reward Scheme “CommunityQuest” for AY24/25.

The VTC Community Engagement Unit (CEU) organised this event to recognise the contributions of students and teachers to the community over the past academic year through VPET skills while launching new scheme for the coming year.

Nearly 100 participants, including students, teachers, community partners, and members of the public attended the event. CEU invited VTC Deputy Executive Director Ms Gladys YAM, Link REIT Corporate Brand Director Ms Carol LAM, Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service Assistant Chief Executive Officer Ms Scarlet POON, VTC Smart City Innovation Centre and STEAM Education Centre Head Dr LAM Tze-shan, as well as VTC Student Development Discipline Academic Director Ms Jenny KO as officiating guests. In her speech, Ms YAM expressed that the community has benefitted from the engagement of teachers and students, and she felt a deep sense of pride in VTC’s ability to nurture socially responsible students.

A total of eight awards were presented at the ceremony, covering four key areas – Youth Development, Elderly and GeronTechnology, Sustainability, and Inclusivity. Over 20 community engagement projects received awards. The list of awardees can be found here. Students received their awards along with their teachers, celebrating their talents, creativity, and hard work. During the ceremony, small bouquets were presented to the teachers in appreciation of their dedication and guidance to the students to apply what they've learned to benefit the community. The event was filled with applause and vibrance.

One of the award-winning projects, involved Youth College students collaborating with individuals in recovery from mental health to create pipe lamps. This lighting installation was featured at the kick-off ceremony, symbolising the power of meaningful collaboration. Students from Diploma of Vocational Education (Mechanical Engineering) of Youth College utilised pipe fitting techniques to upgrade old pipes into lamps, which were also displayed at the exhibition. This work was showcased in the "Illuminating the Extraordinary – Joint Art Exhibition" at Times Square in Causeway Bay last June.

Two primary school students were also invited to share their perspectives on the Multi-functional Learning Kit designed by students of Higher Diploma in Furniture and Lifestyle Product Design of the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI). They found the learning kit both aesthetically pleasing and practical, helping students in subdivided housing to unleash their learning potential. The Multi-functional Learning Kit was also displayed to the public during the exhibition.

Once again, we congratulate all award-winning students and thank Link for generously providing the venue for the ceremony at the Link Sustainability Lab, as well as community partners—Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service and the Lu Foundation—for their support.

[Photo 1] Officiating guests include VTC Deputy Executive Director Ms Gladys YAM (centre), Link REIT Corporate Brand Director Ms Carol LAM (second from right), Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service Assistant Chief Executive Officer Ms Scarlet POON (second from left), VTC Smart City Innovation Centre and STEAM Education Centre Head Dr LAM Tze-Shan (first from right), as well as VTC Student Development Discipline Academic Director Ms Jenny KO (first from left).

[Photo 2] Ms Scarlet POON presents the Inclusivity Award "Physical and Mental Wellbeing Award" to students. Award-winning projects include a "GenEye: AI Screen Reader", "Drama Performance with Puppetry”, developed and designed by HKIIT students, and “CHEER to CNY,” a cultural fusion New Year event organised by VTC Language Discipline for ethnic minority students.

[Photo 3] The pipe lamps created by students of Diploma of Vocational Education (Mechanical Engineering) of Youth College in collaboration with individuals in recovery from mental health serve as a meaningful lighting installation for the kick-off ceremony.

[Photo 4] Two primary school students (third from right, third from left) share their experiences introducing the Multi-functional Learning Kit designed by students of Higher Diploma in Furniture and Lifestyle Product Design of the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI).

Community Workshops: Conveying VPET Skills to the Public

In addition to the Recognition Ceremony, CEU held the Community Engagement Student Project Exhibition and Workshops at Link Sustainability Lab from 14 February  (Friday) to 16 February (Sunday) , showcasing sustainable community projects from various VTC disciplines over the past academic year. Over the three days, the exhibition, workshops, and award ceremony attracted over 2,300 participants, bringing VPET into the community.

DIY Upcycling Flower Accessories

During the workshop, students from the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fashion Design utilised their fashion design knowledge and sewing skills to lead participants in upcycling old fabrics into unique floral fabric accessories, bringing environmental awareness into daily life.

Potted Plants Blooming with Love

Coinciding with Valentine’s Day, students and teachers from the Shine Skills Centre led a potted plant workshop. Participants created their own potted plants using the cement pots made by students to place succulent plants and decorations on the pots. Through creating one-and-only potted plants, participants can express love and integrate greenery into daily home life.

When Design Meets Engineering: Upcycled Photo Frames

Students from two programmes at Youth College (International) collaborated to lead an upcycled photo frame workshop. Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (Design) students used recycled denim and materials to teach participants how to decorate photo frames, while Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (Engineering) students applied 3D printing technology to create photo frame structures with recycled materials, helping participants to assemble photo frames with mini lights using simple soldering technique. The workshop illustrated the concept of resource regeneration while preserving beautiful memories in one frame.

Family Fun: Inspiring Passion for Renewable Energy

Students and teachers of IVE Engineering Discipline applied engineering knowledge to develop an efficient solar-powered electric car. Besides displaying the SOPHIE solar car model at the venue, the team also conducted a solar-powered model car workshop. Students and teachers introduced the basics of electric vehicles and guided participants in assembling model cars, as well as testing out the models in motion. The workshop attracted several families who were interested in renewable energy and sustainable development. The children were all excited seeing their own assembled model cars running on the track.

[Photo 5] Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fashion Design of THEi students and teachers host a DIY Upcycling Flower Accessories Workshop.

[Photo 6] SHINE students and staff lead a DIY Potted Plant Design Workshop.

[Photo 7] Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (Design) and Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (Engineering) students host a DIY Upcycled Photo Frame Workshop.

[Photo 8] IVE Engineering students and teachers apply engineering knowledge to host a SOPHIE Solar Car Workshop for the public.

Student Works Exhibition: Showing Care to Community

AR Interactive Picture Book: Helping Children Explore Local Ecology

The Child Education Centre for Teaching and Learning (CECTL) under the Department of Childcare, Elderly and Community Services, supported by the Environment and Conservation Fund, has launched an augmented reality (AR) technology-enhanced local ecology picture book. Students of Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education used this picture book as a teaching material at their internship institutions, while students of Higher Diploma in Play-based Learning introduced various local species and conservation methods to visitors during the exhibition, which was enjoyed by children.

Vehicle Design: Promoting Environmental Messages

During the exhibition, three bus models from the “Sustainability • Get Set • Go” Bus Body Design Competition, in collaboration with KMB, were on display. The winning design by students of Diploma of Foundation Studies (Design) has been transformed into bus bodies that travel through New Territories, Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island, spreading environmental messages to the community.

Upcycled Fashion Accessories

The exhibition also showcased a series of upcycled fashion pieces and accessories created by students of THEi Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fashion Design in collaboration with the St. James' Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre (UPCC). Using discarded eco-friendly materials, these creations drew the attention of many onlookers. The works were also exhibited last June at the "Co-creation to Communities (Co2)" Upcycling Exhibition in K11 Tsim Sha Tsui.

[Photo 9] Students of IVE Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education participate in creating AR interactive picture books, while students of Higher Diploma in Play-based Learning introduce local species and conservation methods to visitors during the exhibition.

[Photo 10] Students of Diploma of Foundation Studies (Design) participate in the "Sustainability• Get Set• Go" Bus Body Design Competition, with the winning design transformed into a KMB model bus; the left shows the SOPHIE solar car model.

[Photo 11] THEi Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Fashion Design students collaborate with the St. James' Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre (UPCC) to create upcycled fashion pieces and accessories using discarded eco-friendly materials.

Caring for Wheelchair Users: Changing Room Renovation Project

Recently, CEU collaborated with IVE Engineering Discipline and Hong Kong PHAB Association (HKPHAB) to address the challenges faced by wheelchair users in clothing stores by designing changing rooms that are convenient for wheelchair users.

When wheelchair users visit clothing stores, they often encounter various issues, such as narrow pathways to the changing rooms, cramped spaces, and doors or privacy curtains that are unsuitable for wheelchair users, as well as a lack of handrails and mirrors, which other people may find it hard to imagine these challenges. In light of this, HKPHAB arranged five wheelchair users to engage with students from the IVE Higher Diploma in Civil Engineering and Higher Diploma in Architectural Studies. This initiative allowed the wheelchair users to share their experiences and actual needs, enabling the students to gather genuine feedbacks for the changing room renovation project.

Mr Ivan LAM, Manager of HKPHAB, said, "Due to inconvenient changing facilities, wheelchair users generally resist entering clothing stores to buy clothes. Often, the changing rooms are either too small or completely inaccessible, resulting in wasted trips. I am very pleased to collaborate with VTC to solve these issues while providing students with an opportunity to showcase their abilities." The project was led by IVE (Tsing Yi) Civil Engineering teacher Ir Wendy LO, Mr Ian WONG, and Mr Keith CHAN. Mr Keith CHAN said, "The project is meaningful because it not only provides a practical opportunity for students but also allows them to engage with the community and understand the needs of different people in society." Chan, a student of Higher Diploma in Architectural Studies, said, "I have never considered the challenges wheelchair users face in changing rooms before. This project made me realise that as a future architect or designer, I should be attentive to the needs of individuals from various backgrounds."

The design for the changing room renovations is expected to be realised later this year, so please stay tuned.

[Photo 12] Mr Ivan LAM, Manager of HKPHAB, share the issues wheelchair users face in clothing stores to IVE students and teachers.

[Photo 13] Student CHIU Chi-hin (first from left), studying Higher Diploma in Architectural Studies, interviews a wheelchair user to understand the essential features of a changing room suitable for wheelchair users.

[Photo 14] Student HO Chun-lok, studying Higher Diploma in Architectural Studies, tries out an electric wheelchair to experience challenges faced by wheelchair users.

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