The Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), a member institution of the Vocational Training Council (VTC), held its launch ceremony today (13 June) with Secretary for Education Dr CHOI Yuk-lin as the Guest of Honour. HKIIT is committed to providing pre-employment and in-service training opportunities to nurture IT talent, bridging the tech talent gap to drive Hong Kong’s development.
Dr CHOI said, to nurture more talent equipped with professional applied skills, the Chief Executive announced in the 2023 Policy Address the support for VTC to establish HKIIT to provide pre-employment and in-service training for the IT sector, with a view to strengthening the IT capabilities of Hong Kong, responding to the surging demand for IT talent, and fostering the development of Hong Kong. Since its establishment late last year, HKIIT has developed partnership with prominent enterprises and leading IT companies to offer rich learning opportunities for young people and working adults, helping them acquire the IT skills needed in the industry.
VTC Chairman Tony TAI noted that with the support of the HKSAR Government, the VTC established HKIIT as its 14th member institution and Hong Kong’s first dedicated IT tertiary institute. He mentioned that HKIIT and the IT industry have shared vision and goals of promoting technology adoption across industries to enhance the city’s competitiveness, nurturing an IT talent pool to support digital transformation and providing young people with quality education and upward mobility.
Mr TAI added that HKIIT aspired to collaborate closely with the IT industry to understand its needs and cultivate a cutting-edge curriculum that would resonate with market demands. Industry partners would deliver lectures, share industry insights, provide internship opportunities and industry certification training for students. Furthermore, the industry would offer training for HKIIT’s academic team, while HKIIT would provide in-service training programmes to both IT and non-IT practitioners so as to elevate Hong Kong’s digital literacy.
Dr CHOI also visited “ExploreFest”, an exhibition featuring students’ projects from VTC’s Information Technology Discipline, and talked to the students involved. The two-day “ExploreFest” (13 and 14 June) is showcasing over 30 outstanding projects and offering interactive workshops that demonstrate the achievements of vocational and professional education and training (VPET) in fostering the development of IT talent. Attended by industry leaders, a panel discussion titled “Cultivate the Future of IT: Means to Foster Tomorrow’s Talents” was also held to explore the demand for and training of IT talent in Hong Kong with industry leaders.
Established on 1 November 2023, HKIIT received accreditation from the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) earlier this year. HKIIT is positioned as an institution not only for cultivating IT talent but also forging partnerships with the IT industry to drive innovation and development of the digital economy in Hong Kong.
To assist businesses and working professionals in mastering the latest technologies and digital skills, thereby facilitating digital transformation in industries, HKIIT has launched “SkillsUP”, an in-service training service. “SkillsUP” provides customised reskilling and upskilling training courses, covering professional fields such as Web and Mobile Application Development, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning, Cloud Computing, and Information and Network Security. In addition, HKIIT offers a range of continuing education courses at different levels and formats to meet Hong Kong people’s diverse learning needs.
In the area of pre-employment training, HKIIT will welcome its first cohort of students in the 2024/25 academic year. These programmes encompass two main fields Information and Communications Technology and Multimedia and Entertainment Technology equipping students with professional IT knowledge and skills.
HKIIT will primarily operate at the VTC Tsing Yi Complex, which is expected to open for the 2024/25 academic year. It will be equipped with new teaching facilities such as a Cybersecurity Centre, an AI and Big Data Centre, and a Digital Innovation Co-creation Centre. HKIIT will also offer training at other VTC campuses including IVE Chai Wan, Kwun Tong, Lee Wai Lee (Tseung Kwan O), Sha Tin and Tuen Mun to support students from those districts.
Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working people to acquire the values, knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and also to provide support to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 14 member institutions, namely the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK), the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI), the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI), the International Culinary Institute (ICI), the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), Youth College, Pro-Act by VTC, the Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) and the Shine Skills Centre.
Website: www.vtc.edu.hk
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