V Sparkle

Under the coordination of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) Community Engagement Unit (CEU), students from the Higher Diploma in AI and Mobile Applications Development at the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT) introduced an innovative guided tour experience with their app, "Space-time Prism", during the "New Life Farm Launch Ceremony cum Open Day". The app allowed participants to revisit nearly 60 years of the farm's historical transformation. 

Operated by the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (NLPRA), New Life Farm was established in 1968 as Hong Kong’s first and only agricultural Integrated Vocational Rehabilitation Centre. Following a major renovation completed last year, the farm celebrated its reopening with a ceremony and open day on 7 February. 

During the guided tours, HKIIT students assisted guests, including Mr Chris SUN, Secretary for Labour and Welfare, in experiencing the interactive features of the "Space-time Prism" app. They also explained the technical principles behind its development. Using generative AI technology, the students transformed old photos of the farm's fields, mushroom house, grassland, and food waste zone into vivid videos. By combining these videos with Augmented Reality (AR) and Visual Positioning System (VPS) technologies, the app enabled guests to point a tablet at specific landmarks and revisit the farm's rich history of empowering persons in recovery (PIR). The farm has provided agricultural work training in farming, poultry, and livestock rearing, helping PIR acquire valuable skills, achieve self-reliance, and reintegrate into society. 

The four students who developed the app expressed their delight in applying their Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) skills to connect with the community. They were proud to use innovative technology to help more people understand the history of New Life Farm and its contributions to supporting PIR. 

Professor Annie TAM, Chairperson of the Executive Committee of New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (NLPRA), along with other tour participants, highly praised the students for their creative use of technology to raise public awareness of community development. To express gratitude and recognise their efforts, NLPRA presented HKIIT students and teacher with tokens of appreciation and certificates, commending students’ dedication and achievements in giving back to the community through their VPET expertise. 

[Photo 1] HKIIT students CHEUNG Hoi-ki (first from left), CHAU Yee-ling (second from left), CHAN Ka-po (second from right), and YE Ying-kwan (first from right) introduce their developed app "Space-time Prism" to guests participating in the guided tour, including Mr Chris SUN, Secretary for Labour and Welfare.  

[Photo 2] The "Space-time Prism" app integrates AR, VPS, and generative AI technologies to create a more vivid and engaging experience of revisiting the development and transformation of New Life Farm. 

[Photo 3] Ms Maggie LEUNG, Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services) (fourth from right), Mr Thomas CHU, Chief Executive Officer of NLPRA (first from left), and Ms WOO Yuen-ling, Member of Executive Committee, NLPRA (third from right), present tokens of appreciation to Dr Will KWOK, Senior Lecturer of HKIIT (fourth from left), and HKIIT students CHAU Yee-ling (second from left), CHEUNG Hoi-ki (third from left), YE Ying-kwan (second from right), and CHAN Ka-po (first from right) to recognise their contributions.

[Photo 4] NLPRA presents certificates of appreciation to HKIIT students YE Ying-kwan (first from left), CHAU Yee-ling (second from left), CHEUNG Hoi-ki (second from right), and CHAN Ka-po (first from right) in recognition of their passion for connecting with the community through applying their VPET expertise.