V Sparkle

VTC Community Classroom: Building an Inclusive Community

The VTC Community Engagement Unit (CEU) made its debut in the annual event organised by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service — the "S+ Summit cum Expo." This event showcased a series of community engagement projects developed collaboratively by VTC students and community partners, while also allowing for networking with over a hundred social service organisations to discuss various community project collaboration opportunities, further promoting the value of vocational education.

The booth was themed around "Community Classroom," signifying that VTC students showcase the vocational knowledge they have learned in class within the community, conveying it to those in need as a way to give back to society through VPET.

Located in the "Reduced Inequality" exhibition area, VTC's exhibits incorporated inclusive elements. Highlights included collaborations with Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) and Shine Skills Centre (SHINE) in fashion products and accessories design, boardgame for hidden youth and Multi-functional Learning Kit developed by Higher Diploma in Illustration and Higher Diploma in Furniture and Lifestyle Product Design respectively with the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service (BOKSS). In addition, students of Diploma of Foundation Studies (Design) collaborated with the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association (YWCA) to create boardgame addressing youth mental health—“Emotional Synchronization”.

Over the two-day exhibition, more than 500 representatives from the social service sector attended. Mr HO Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare, and Mr TIK Chi-yuen, Legislative Councilor (Social Welfare), visited the booth, offering valuable suggestions on the applications of the projects in the community, giving students encouragement.

On the second day of the exhibition, CEU held a simple yet grand award ceremony for the THEi x SHINE Fashion Accessories Design Competition to recognise the outstanding achievements of fashion design students from THEi and students from SHINE, for their creative design, product production, and teamwork.

This exhibition provided a great opportunity for collaboration between VTC and the social service sector. CEU also invited representatives from THEi, Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), and Hospitality Discipline to meet with various community partners on-site to discuss collaborative opportunities for student projects and programs, aiming to build a better community together.

[Photo 1] Mr HO Kai-ming, Under Secretary for Labour and Welfare (third from left) visit the VTC Community Classroom.

[Photo 2] Fashion products and accessories designed by six students from THEi showcased at the VTC booth.

[Photo 3] CEU colleagues introduce various community engagement projects by VTC students during a guided tour of the VTC booth..

[Photo 4] Ms Viann MAK, Assistant Project Officer of Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), meet with the BOKSS team to introduce the AI exercise platform.

[Photo 5] Award-winning fashion design students from THEi and students of SHINE pose with guests, including (back row, second from left) Ms. YANG Shun-lai, Senior Manager of Vocational Training for People with Disabilities Office, Ms. Jenny KO, Academic Director of Student Development Discipline, Professor Paul TSANG, Vice President (Academic) of THEi, Dr. CHAN Yin-lun, Head of Department, Department of Design and Architecture of THEi, and Dr. Eve NWAOGU CHAN, Assistant Professor, Department of Design and Architecture of THEi.

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