V Sparkle

VTC Cross-Disciplinary Participation in Golden Age Expo & Summit (GAES)

In collaboration with multiple disciplines of VTC, CEU participated for the third consecutive year in the 10^th Golden Age Expo & Summit (GAES). The exhibition was held from 31 July to 2 August at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre under the theme “VTC Community Classroom for Joyful Ageing”, showcasing various innovative elderly care projects and works developed by VTC students. Interactive workshops were set up on-site for seniors to participate in. Legislative Councillor Dr the Hon TIK Chi-yuen visited the VTC booth during the exhibition to view students' community care innovation projects. VTC Chairman Mr Tony TAI, Deputy Executive Director Ms Gladys YAM, Deputy Executive Director Ir Dr Eric LIU, Academic Director of the Student Development Discipline Ms Jenny KO and Director of the Vocational Training for People with Disabilities Office Dr Simon HO were also present to support the students.

Eight Elderly-focused Projects

1. Dim Sum Battle Board Game

Students from the IVE Higher Diploma in Integrated Social and Health Services designed the board game “Dim Sum Battle” themed around the familiar dim sum culture enjoyed by the elderly. Through mathematical calculations and specific tasks, elderly participants can engage in cognitive training in a relaxed environment to delay cognitive decline. The game also incorporates sensory elements, such as scented dim sum cards and tactile dim sum props, to stimulate participants’ senses of smell and touch. This attracted significant interest from elderly visitors, encouraging them to stop and explore.

2. SoundSense – Hear Better, Live Better

A student from the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI) Higher Diploma in Product Design developed a conceptual smart hearing aid called “SoundSense”, which utilises bone conduction technology to improve sound clarity. Controlled via a dedicated mobile app, the earphones are equipped with the music playing functions and Artificial Intelligence (AI) guidance, enabling elderly to connect with their community.

3. “Choi Hung” Dreams, Memory Streams

Choi Hung Estate is a place of collective memories for many people in Hong Kong. Students from the IVE Higher Diploma in Building Studies and Higher Diploma in Community Service Planning and Navigation collaborated with Language Discipline to capture the estate's appearance using drone photography and create a Building Information Modelling (BIM) system. Combined with Virtual Reality (VR) technology, users can freely explore Choi Hung Estate, attracting many elderly visitors to experience it.

4. Soft Meal “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall”

Students from the IVE Higher Diploma in Food Technology and Safety, Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI) Higher Diploma in Culinary Arts and Diploma in Chinese Cuisine collaborated with Sik Sik Yuen to transform the renowned Chinese dish “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” into a delicious soft meal. This allows the elderly with swallowing difficulties to enjoy gourmet food. During the exhibition, elderly visitors expressed great interest and a desire to taste the dish.

5. Space-time Prism

The history and cultural significance of trams are unique symbols of Hong Kong. To help the elderly relive the tram experience of the past, students from the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT) partnered with Hong Kong Tramways to use Augmented Reality (AR) technology to recreate the scenery along historic tram routes. Using tablets, students guided visitors through a comparison of past and present streets from Sheung Wan to Causeway Bay.

6. Vintage Remix – Silver-haired Fashion Design

Students from the Youth College Diploma of Vocation Education (Fashion) drew inspiration from classic styles of the 1940s to 1990s, combining the elegance of traditional attire with modern design elements to create timeless fashion for the elderly. In December 2024, elderly models were invited to participate in the “Vintage Remix” fashion show at Lee Tung Avenue in Wan Chai, showcasing these unique designs on the catwalk. Two designs caught attention at the exhibition booth, where elderly visitors praised them for their stylish and tasteful design.

7. Silver-haired Memories – Cheongsam Try-on and Styling 

Students from the HKDI Department of Fashion and Image Design provided on-site personalised styling for the elderly participants, offering professional makeup and outfit guidance to help them experience the unique charm of traditional cheongsam. The students also conducted professional photography sessions to capture beautiful moments and create lasting memories for the elderly.

8. Community Classroom – Nutrition Workshop for Elderly

Students from the IVE Higher Diploma in Applied Nutritional Studies conducted nutritional assessments for elderly participants. The assessment includes calculating Body Mass Index (BMI), measuring body fat percentage and checking blood pressure. They shared professional health knowledge, teaching the elderly how to maintain healthy eating habits and lifestyles and provided nutritional advice and practical tips to help them understand how to use nutrition labels to choose suitable foods for better health. VTC Chairman Mr Tony TAI also participated in the workshop.

CEU extends gratitude to all elderly participants for their support and for witnessing VTC students applying their VPET skills to contribute to the community. We will continue to promote more elderly care projects in the future, hoping that these innovative initiatives will allow more elderly individuals to enjoy a better quality of life.

Please visit our YouTube channel to watch Event Highlight.

[Photo 1] Group photo of guests outside the VTC booth at the “Golden Age Expo & Summit” (GAES).

[Photo 2] Legislative Councillor Dr the Hon TIK Chi-yuen (centre), VTC Deputy Executive Director Ms Gladys YAM (second from right), Academic Director of the Student Development Discipline Ms Jenny KO (second from left), Director of the Vocational Training for People with Disabilities Office Dr Simon HO (first from right), and Community Engagement Unit Chief Community Engagement Manager Ms Vicky CHAU (first from left) support the students.

[Photo 3] VTC Deputy Executive Director Ms Gladys YAM (second from left), Principal Lecturer (Acting) of IVE Department of Childcare, Elderly and Community Services Dr Heidi CHENG (first from right) and Senior Lecturer of IVE Department of Childcare, Elderly and Community Services Ms Eva AU (second from right) listen as students introduce the board game “Dim Sum Battle”.

[Photo 4] Conceptual hearing aid product “SoundSense” designed by Vivian LO, a student studying in HKDI Higher Diploma in Product Design.

[Photo 5] Elderly visitors experience the VR interactive project of Choi Hung Estate. They expresses that revisiting their past living environment evokes deep emotional resonance and brings back fond memories.

[Photo 6] Visitors shows great interest in the Soft Meal “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” and expresses a desire to taste the dish.

[Photo 7] VTC Chairman Mr Tony TAI (centre) and Deputy Executive Director Ms Gladys YAM (right) attentively listen to students who introduce the “Space-time Prism” project.

[Photo 8] Two designs by Youth College Diploma of Vocation Education (Fashion) students catch attention at the exhibition booth, where elderly visitors praise them for their stylish and tasteful design.

[Photo 9] HKDI Department of Fashion and Image Design students provides on-site personalised styling for elderly participants, as well as capturing beautiful moments to create precious memories.

[Photo 10] IVE Higher Diploma in Applied Nutritional Studies students teach the elderly how to use nutrition labels to choose suitable foods during the nutrition workshop.

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