V Sparkle

VPET Education, Connecting Young and Old, Building a Sustainable Future – 2024 July Issue

Launch of Soft Meal Dim Sum

Savouring the Tastes and Memories of Our Favourite Food

Vocational Training Council (VTC)’s Community Engagement Unit (CEU), in collaboration with Health and Life Sciences Discipline of Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE) and Design Discipline of Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), as well as Sik Sik Yuen, has jointly developed soft meal dim sum – Steamed Chicken Roll and Steamed Pork Ribs with Black Bean Sauce Rice. These were officially launched at the Sik Sik Yuen Wong Tai Sin Temple's Taste of Memories – Launching and Recognition Ceremony of Soft Meal earlier this month. The event was attended by Mr Fletch CHAN Wai-wai, Commissioner for Rehabilitation of Labour and Welfare Bureau, representatives from Sik Sik Yuen and VTC, and dozens of elderly friends, recognising the year-long soft meal dim sum development project.

“The chicken tastes like chicken, and the meat tastes like meat, it's delicious!” Mr Nip said, who had participated in the food tasting during the project development, admired the taste of the food and the students' enthusiasm. Chan, an IVE student of Higher Diploma in Food Technology and Safety programme who participated in the project, shared a memorable experience on stage, “An elderly woman from Meizhou told me that the chicken roll reminded her of the betel nut taro she used to plant back in her hometown. It turns out that food can really connect memories, which makes me feel that this project is even more meaningful.”

Beyond allowing elderly people with swallowing difficulties to enjoy delicious food, connecting memories through soft meal dim sum was the original aspiration of the entire development team. In addition to the appearance and taste of the food, the product packaging design, peripheral goods, as well as the exhibits and decorations at the Launch all referenced traditional Chinese restaurants. Chek, an HKDI student of Higher Diploma in Advertising Design programme who was responsible for the soft meal brand design and packaging, said, “We incorporated the style of Hong Kong-style yumcha restaurants and retro posters into the packaging, hoping to resonate with the elderly.” Chan, a student from Health and Life Sciences Discipline who was responsible for the production of the soft food, said, “The soft meal dim sum not only makes it easier for the elderly to eat, but also evokes their memories. I think this project is very meaningful, and the positive feedback from the elderly on the soft meal dim sum gives me a great sense of accomplishment.”

Sik Sik Yuen Chairman Mr LAI Chak-sum pointed out that Sik Sik Yuen has always attached great importance to the dietary needs of elderly people with swallowing difficulties and has certain requirements for soft meal dim sum. In his speech, he said, “I am very grateful to the VTC Health and Life Sciences Discipline for co-developing this nostalgic soft meal dim sum, and to the students of VTC Design Discipline for designing the packaging boxes and peripheral goods.” VTC Student Development Discipline Academic Director Ms Jenny KO Lai-fong said that students used their VPET knowledge and skills to convey care and love, and to showcase the development of this soft meal dim sum to the community, allowing more people to pay attention to the dietary needs of the elderly and people with swallowing difficulties.

VTC will further discuss with Sik Sik Yuen, hoping to promote the soft meal dim sum packages to residential care homes and community in the future, and promote the soft food culture.

[Photo on top] (From left) Principal of HTI/CCI/ICI Mr James YAP Han-phong, Sik Sik Yuen Vice Chairman Mr CHAN Chant-fai, IVE (Kwai Chung) Principal Dr CHEUNG Kwai-chung, Sik Sik Yuen Chairman Mr LAI Chak-sum, Commissioner for Rehabilitation of Labour and Welfare Bureau Mr Fletch CHAN Wai-wai, Principal of HKDI & IVE (Lee Wai Lee) Dr ONG Lay Lian, Sik Sik Yuen Vice Chairman Mr MA Chak-wa, VTC Student Development Discipline Academic Director Ms Jenny KO Lai-fong and Sik Sik Yuen Chief Executive Officer Ms Doris SIN Pik-shan

[Photo below] Elderly residents and staff from Sik Sik Yuen's residential care homes taking photos at the event

[Photo below] VTC students introducing the soft meal dim sum and the corresponding product design to Sik Sik Yuen CEO Ms Doris SIN Pik-shan

[Bottom photo] Samples of the soft meal dim sum and design works displayed at the event

Bus Body Design Competition Promotes Environmental Protection and Sustainability

Earlier this month, VTC and KMB's “Sustainability • Get Set • Go” Bus Body Design Competition Recognition Ceremony was held. The winning illustrations created by VTC students of Diploma of Foundation Studies – Design, have been emblazoned on the buses, travelling across Hong Kong to promote environmental protection.

The Recognition Ceremony was held at HKDI, where one of the winning bus designs was showcased. The design features an endless zipper that symbolises prosperity, with animals and human beings representing the harmonious coexistence of living creatures. The student designer, Lau, emphasised the importance of resources conservation and a sustainable future, echoing her design’s message. She said, “As long as we cherish resources and love our planet, we can work together to create a sustainable future, just like my design concept, to create a beautiful future where we coexist with all animals and plants.”

[Photo on top] KMB Operations Director Ms Rachel KWAN Chui-lan (middle, back row), KMB Safety Director and Director of KMB Academy Mr Martin CADMAN (fourth from left, back row), HKDI & IVE (Lee Wai Lee) Vice-Principal Dr Elita LAM Yee-nee (sixth from left, back row) and VTC Student Development Discipline Academic Director Ms Jenny KO Lai-fong (sixth from right, back row) taking a group photo in front of one of the buses emblazoned with the award-winning illustration work

[Middle photo] Another winning student, Yip, features the Victoria Harbour as the background of her illustration. It symbolises the beautiful scene of blooming flowers after reducing carbon emissions and improving the environment. 

[Bottom photo] Another winning student, Cheung, hopes to encourage citizens to carry reusable water bottles and tableware in their daily lives by showing environment-friendly tableware in the illustration.

Upcycled Fabric Wall

Creating a Landscape of Sustainability

In collaboration with Link Sustainability Lab, CEU has partnered students of Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Fashion Design at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), to design a sustainable fabric wall for “Loop to Last – Unveiling the Circular Economy” exhibition in Lok Fu Place. The work has been officially unveiled recently.

With the theme “Beautiful Ocean”, the wall has been crafted from regenerated blended cotton made from recycled polyester fibres and woven. Using electric knitting technology and recycled yarn, a giant fabric wall measuring approximately 2.3 meters high and 4.5 meters wide has been woven. It is hoped that through the medium of fashion and design, the message of recycling and environmental protection can be conveyed to the public.

Student designers, Chan and Choi, shared their design concept: “This design makes use of traditional knitting technology, which only requires the customisation of the exact amount of recycled yarn, thus reducing waste compared to the usual cutting and sewing methods.” Both students are honoured that their work can be exhibited in the Lab, and they hope to apply the concept of sustainable development to their career after graduation, so that the public can understand the impact between environmental protection and the fashion industry.

The exhibition is being held at the Link Sustainability Lab in Lok Fu Place from now until 28 February 2025. Please take this opportunity to visit!

[Photo on top] The sustainable fabric wall designers, Chan (left) and Choi (right), current students of THEi's Fashion Design programme 

[Middle photo] The grand opening of the “Loop to Last – Unveiling the Circular Economy” exhibition at Link Sustainability Lab

[Bottom photo] A group photo of the student designers, THEi Fashion Design Programme Leader and Assistant Professor Dr Eve NWAOGU CHAN Man-hin (second from left), THEi Assistant Professor Ms Febbie CHENG Hiu (third from left), and representatives from CEU

Caring for the Elderly

Sharing Tips for Relaxation and a Healthy Lifestyle

Previously at We Park in IVE (Shatin), IVE Childcare, Elderly and Community Services Discipline (CECS) celebrated International Day of Families, holding games and activities for elderly people, children and parents from the Neighbourhood Advice-Action Council (NAAC). Under the leadership of CECS students, the elderly participated in various activities at We Park. Through these activities, the powerful strength of community integration has been demonstrated, promoting the physical and mental health of people in all ages, and conveying the message of family harmony and happiness and the integration of the young and old.

How did the elderly maintain physical coordination and flexibility for the activities? Teachers and students of IVE Higher Diploma in Integrated Social and Health Services programme shared their VPET knowledge in the CEU programme "Fun Classroom". Please visit out YouTube channel to watch:

>>Click here<<

[Photo on top] Elderly people and children from NAAC performing at the event, having fun with everyone

[Bottom photo] Elderly people from NAAC demonstrating Rouliqiu

CEU Upcoming Events

VTC × Golden Age Expo & Summit

Date: 2 – 4 August (Fri – Sun)

Time: 11am – 7pm

Venue: Hall 3FG, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Booth No.: B05, B06, B08

Introduction: CEU and Golden Age Expo & Summit (GAES) are collaborating once again to showcase VPET skills and knowledge of VTC students to the public. The students’ projects and works related to elderly services will be presented at the exhibition and summit (GAES press conference report).

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