V Sparkle

Fostering an Inclusive Future: Sustaining Community through VPET Knowledge – 2024 June Issue

Sustainable Fashion Building Inclusive Communities

Previously, we introduced how Community Engagement Unit (CEU) collaborated with students from the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fashion Design programme at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) and St. James' Settlement Jockey Club Upcycling Centre (UPCC) to create eco-friendly upcycled products. These items are currently displaying at the "Co-creation to Communities (Co2)" Upcycling Exhibition at K11 in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Nine unique pieces designed by THEi students are showcased, each crafted with ingenuity, including a fashionable scarf made from discarded and unused fabric pillow feathers, a pet leash made from recycled textiles, a handbag repurposed from a wine wooden box, and jewelry created from discarded materials such as plastic bottles, wallpaper, and wine corks. The collaboration has not only allowed VTC students to get creative with green fashion trends, but also provided a valuable opportunity for them to act as trainers for the members from local sheltered workshops, promoting inclusivity through their works.

Student participant Miss Cheung shared her memorable experience as an instructor at the sheltered workshop: "I transformed discarded wine corks into stylish necklaces. After cutting the corks, the sheltered workshop trainees used watercolor or marker pens to draw various patterns on the cork surfaces, participating in the artistic aspect and expressing their feelings and creativity. Through this process, I learned that my designs could connect with the community, and their creativity and focus also inspired me."

The exhibition is being held at the outdoor plaza of K11 Art Mall in Tsim Sha Tsui from now until July 3. Please visit in the final days of the exhibition.

[Photo above] Group photo of representatives from UPCC, THEi, CEU, and guests.

[Middle photo] Student Miss CHENG from Faculty of Design and Architecture of THEi presenting her work "Feather Scarf" to the guests.

[Photo below] Student Miss CHEUNG from Faculty of Design and Architecture of THEi introducing her work to the guests, including (from right to left) Miss KO Lai Fong, Academic Director of Student Development, Prof LAU Kin Tak, President of THEi, Dr Eve Chan, Programme Leader and Assistant Professor of Department of Design and Architecture at THEi; and CEU representative.

Crafted Lamp Illuminating Extraordinary Lives

A collaboration between CEU and students from Diploma of Vocational Education in Mechanical Engineering of Youth College, as well as individuals in recovery from mental health issues at the Baptist Oi Kwan Social Service (BOKSS), successfully held an exhibition of a pipe lamp at the " Illuminating the Extraordinary – Joint Art Exhibition" in Causeway Bay Times Square this month.

On the first day of the exhibition, the students acted as tour guides, explaining to visitors how the integration of engineering knowledge and artistic creativity can be connected to the lives of individuals in recovery. This allowed the public to gain further insight into the recovery journey of these individuals. One of the individuals in recovery generously shared her experience of illness, describing the difficult path of dealing with depression. The transformation of the seemingly cold pipe, through the students' efforts in decoration and processing, into a luminous and shining pipe lamp artwork, was similar to the journey of recovery for these individuals. It greatly encouraged and inspired them.

One of the participating students, Mr. WONG said, "Whether it was connecting pipes with recovering individuals or sharing our experiences with the public, I felt that I was able to contribute to the community through the application of knowledge. It was a meaningful experience, and I gained a deeper understanding and knowledge about individuals in recovery."

[Photo above] Ms. FONG Wing Yue, BOKSS's Service Head of Integrated Mental Health Services (first from the left), and Dr. CHEUNG Chor Wang (second from the left), Principal of Youth College (Kowloon Bay) exchanging ideas with members of the public and individuals in recovery and taking group photos. 

[Middle photo] Mr. WONG, student from Diploma of Vocational Education in Mechanical Engineering (first from the left), engaging with members of the public and individuals in recovery. 

[Photo below] Representatives from BOKSS, Youth College and CEU taking a group photo together.

Healthy Soft Meals Catering to the Needs of the Elderly

The Soft Meal Dim Sum developed through the collaboration between CEU and Sik Sik Yuen will be launched early next month. Recently, it was presented at the HealthTech Forum 2024 “Tech-Driven Healthcare: The Greater Bay Area”, showcasing the soft meal prototypes and packaging samples.

The development of this collaborative Soft Meal Dim Sum was developed by students from Higher Diploma in Food Technology and Safety of the Health and Life Sciences Discipline. Students from Higher Diploma in Advertising Design and Higher Diploma in Visual Communication in the Design Discipline were responsible for designing the food brand, packaging, and related products. The project aims to assist those with swallowing difficulties and promote the culture of soft meals through the vocational skills.

The seminar, organized by the Health and Life Sciences discipline, was attended by Professor Chung-mau LO, BBS, JP, Secretary for Health, as well as representatives from the academy and industry. Visitors showed great interest in the exhibited Soft Meal Dim Sum products. The actual Soft Meal Dim Sum will be officially launched at the Wong Tai Sin Temple on 4 July. Stay tuned for it!

[Photo above] Soft meal prototype. 

[Middle photo] Miss WU, student from the Health and Life Sciences Discipline, explaining the newly developed Soft Meal Dim Sum to the guests. 

[Photo below] Representative from CEU (left), Miss Esther LI, Lecturer of Health and Life Sciences discipline (center), and Miss WU (right), taking a group photo at the booth.

CEU Event Preview

VTC × KMB "Sustainable‧Get Set‧Go" Bus Body Design Competition Recognition 

Ceremony 

Date: 2 July (Tuesday) 

Time: 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm 

Venue: Room C002, HKDI Experience Center

Description: VTC and KMB jointly organized a bus body design competition, where the winning designs will be printed on buses and exhibited during the ceremony, allowing the public to share the achievements of students. 

VTC × Sik Sik Yuen - "A Taste of the Past" Soft Meal Launching and Recognition Ceremony 

Date: 4 July (Thursday) 

Time: 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm 

Venue: Wong Tai Sin Temple Fung-Ming-Hall, Sik Sik Yuen 

Description: Government officials, representatives from the institute, Sik Sik Yuen, and the industry, along with several elderly participants, will taste the soft meal dim sum jointly developed by VTC and Sik Sik Yuen. Related designs and products will also be showcased during the event.

Powered by Froala Editor