Source: New Zealand Police
Police can now release the name of the man who died following a crash on Thornton Road on Sunday 5 October.
He was Daniel Paul Henriksen, 40, of Whakatane.
Police extend sympathies to Daniel’s family and friends.
Enquiries into the circumstances of the crash are ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Media Outreach
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 October 2025 – The China Tennis Tour CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Open 2025 (hereafter “CTA1000 CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Open”) will return to Victoria Park Tennis Court from 23rd to 30th November 2025. The eight-day tournament will gather more than 150 of the China’s top players, competing across Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, and Women’s Doubles for a total prize purse of RMB 800,000. As one of the city’s most anticipated sporting events, the tournament will feature star-studded appearances by leading names including Wang Qiang, Liu Fangzhou, Te Rigele, Liu Shaoyun, and Xiao Linang, showcasing the highest level of Chinese tennis. The Opening Ceremony and Celebrity Match will be highlighted by actress Nancy Wu, who will join national-level players on court for a special encounter. With a week-long programme of tournament and celebratory activities, the CTA1000 CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Open is set to ignite Victoria Park with passion, spark a citywide tennis fever, and deliver an unforgettable sporting spectacle for fans.
Group photo featuring officiating guests including Mr. TSOI Kin Pan, George, JP, Commissioner for Sports, Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR Government (front row, fifth from left); Mr. Zhu Jianping, Deputy Head of Sports Section of the Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR (front row, fourth from right); Mr. Eric Fok Kai Shan, JP, Chairman of Vivere Sky Group (front row, fifth from right); Mr. Jeremy Fok Kai Yan, Executive Director of Vivere Sky Group (front row, first from left); Mr. Michael Cheng, President of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (front row, third from left); Mr. Yang Yunchao, Deputy Chief Executive of CCB (Asia) (front row, fourth from left); Ms. Annie Chen, Deputy Chief Executive of CCB (Asia) (front row, third from right); and Mr. Wei Shengfan, Chairman of Beijing CTA Tour Sport Management Co., Ltd. (front row, second from left), together with other distinguished guests.
Among the biggest highlights is the much-anticipated return of Wang Qiang, once China’s top player, a two-time Asian Games gold medallist, who reached a career-high world ranking of No.12. Armed with experience and proven talent, she is ready to light up Hong Kong with the next chapter of her comeback.
Liu Fangzhou, a two-time champion of CTA Tour Professional Finals and winner of both the singles and doubles titles at this year’s CTA1000 Huzhou stop, arrives in Hong Kong in red-hot form and is widely tipped to extend her winning momentum.
Te Rigele has showcased his prowess on hard courts across multiple CTA events. At the Hong Kong stop, his explosive power and fearless shot-making are set to inject fresh intrigue and excitement into the men’s singles field.
Liu Shaoyun, who captured last year’s Hong Kong crown with grit and composure, will look to repeat his triumph in front of a home crowd.
Xiao Linang, the men’s doubles champion at the 2023 CTA Tour Professional Finals, is set to reaffirm his doubles dominance as he takes on another elite stage in Hong Kong.
Celebrity Match guest Ms. Nancy Wu appeared on stage alongside tennis players Mr. Li Zhe and Mr. Kevin Wong Chun-hun, sharing their passion for tennis and excitement for the upcoming competition.
At today’s press conference, the tournament’s provisional player line-up, schedule, and a range of community initiatives and cross-sector collaborations were unveiled. The event was strongly supported by representatives from the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Hong Kong SAR, the Hong Kong SAR Government, co-organizers, sponsors, and underscoring the city’s growing status as a hub for world-class sporting events.
Celebrity guest Ms. Nancy Wu joined Chinese player Li Zhe and Hong Kong, China’s Kevin Wong Chun-hun on stage to share their passion for tennis, their preparation for the competition, and words of encouragement for young athletes. Their lively exchange energized the event and underscored the CTA Tour’s unique role as a platform for sporting and cultural exchange.
Mr. Eric Fok Kai Shan, JP, Chairman of Vivere Sky Group, the organizer of CTA1000 CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Open 2025, said: “The CTA1000 returning to Hong Kong for the third consecutive year reaffirms the city’s capability to host national-level sporting events. With elite players converging at Victoria Park, spectators can look forward to world-class competition and an electrifying atmosphere. Beyond competition, the event symbolizes cultural exchange and community engagement, while further enhancing Hong Kong’s position as the ‘Events Capital of Asia’.”
Mr. Yang Yunchao, Deputy Chief Executive of CCB (Asia), the title sponsor of CTA1000 Hong Kong Open 2025, expressed: “For the third consecutive year, CCB (Asia) is proud to sponsor the CTA1000 Hong Kong Open, a competition that fosters sporting exchange between Chinese mainland and Hong Kong athletes while reflecting our commitment to advancing cultural integration across the Greater Bay Area through the power of finance. We will continue to support high-caliber sporting events as part of our mission to serve the nation’s development, strengthen Hong Kong’s role as an international financial hub, and contribute to building China into a leading sporting powerhouse.”
Mr. Wei Shengfan, Chairman of Beijing CTA Tour Sport Management Co., Ltd., stated that: “Since its inception in 2020, the CTA Tour has steadily developed into a flagship national event, carrying the mission of nurturing young talent and promoting the sport of tennis. The successful staging of the Hong Kong stop not only highlights the city’s unique strengths in hosting major sporting events, but also builds a bridge for exchange between China and the international community. Through this platform, we aim to showcase the rapid growth of Chinese tennis to the world, while injecting new momentum into the integration of sports, culture, tourism and innovation across the Greater Bay Area.”
The press conference was attended and supported by representatives from the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the HKSAR Government, the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Vivere Sky Group, the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, CCB (Asia), Jiangsu Yanghe Distillery Co., Ltd., and China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, among other government and corporate partners. The organizers also extend special thanks to CCB (Asia), China Taiping Insurance Group Limited, Jiangsu Yanghe Distillery Co., Ltd., China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, Ticketflap, eyes3 Sports Technology Ltd, Ocean Park, Art Piece, thatsmoa, Body Solution, RTHK, C’estbon, Teloon, Kelme and other sponsors and partners for their tremendous support of this year’s tournament.
The CTA1000 CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Open is not only a stage for showcasing China’s tennis excellence but also a bridge for fostering exchange and integration within the Greater Bay Area. Through diverse community programs and youth initiatives, the tournament aims to bring tennis closer to everyday life and inspire the next generation of players. Now in its third consecutive year in Hong Kong, the event underscores both the vitality of Chinese sports and the city’s unique appeal as a global destination for world-class events.
Tickets for the CTA1000 CCB (Asia) Hong Kong Open 2025 is available now on Ticketflap: www.ticketflap.com/ctahko.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: New Zealand Police
Madison, 14, has been reported missing by her family.
She was last seen at home on 24 October.
Her family are deeply concerned for her welfare and would like to see her safely home.
If you have seen Madison, or have any information on her whereabouts, please call 111 and quote case number 251027/5665.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Government
An artificial intelligence (AI) scribe tool will be rolled out to 1000 doctors and frontline staff working in emergency departments across the country, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Delivering modern health infrastructure, including digital tools that make a real difference for patients and staff, is a priority for the Government,” Mr Brown says.
“Too many doctors have told me that paperwork and documentation take up too much of their day. This tool will help free them up to spend more time with patients – listening, diagnosing, and treating – rather than writing down or typing up notes.”
The AI scribe securely records a consultation and automatically creates draft clinical notes, referral letters, and follow-up summaries. The doctor reviews and confirms these notes, saving time while making sure important information is accurately captured.
“This allows doctors to spend more of the appointment interacting directly with patients, while the technology captures the details for them. It also helps ensure nothing important is missed, leading to more consistent follow-up care.”
The tool is tailored to New Zealand’s clinical language and systems, meets all privacy requirements, and includes strong security protections to keep patient information safe. It is already being used successfully in some primary care settings, so patients may already have experienced it during an appointment with their GP.
Mr Brown says a successful pilot in Hawke’s Bay and Whanganui showed strong results and the practical difference technology can make for both doctors and patients.
“Doctors using the AI tool were able to see, on average, one additional patient per shift because of the time saved. That means faster care for patients and less waiting time in emergency departments.
“Based on this success, Health New Zealand has purchased an initial 1000 licences for frontline staff in emergency departments, enabling its nationwide rollout.
“Doctors and nurses want to focus on the person in front of them. This tool helps them do that – making the consultation more personal, while still capturing all the details needed for ongoing care.”
Mr Brown says Health New Zealand will continue exploring other ways AI and digital technology can help improve care and make the health system work better for patients.
“We need to embrace AI as a way to maximise our health workforce, giving clinicians tools that save time, reduce pressure, and allow them to spend more time with patients.
“AI will never replace clinical skill or judgement, but it can support our people to do what they do best – provide timely, quality care to New Zealanders.
“We’re committed to improving access and quality across the health system. AI will play an important role in supporting frontline healthcare staff and helping patients get the care they need, faster and more efficiently, long into the future.”
Source: Media Outreach
As part of the partnership, Prudential and the SG Eco Fund will collaborate on the following community initiatives:
Bringing Communities Together Through Sustainable Gardening
To kickstart the partnership, Prudential launched the Healthy Harvest initiative with the unveiling of its roof-top edible garden during a community event at Telok Blangah Street 31.
The event was officiated by Ms Rachel Ong, Adviser to Tanjong Pagar GRC Grassroots Organisations, who participated in the harvesting and packing of vegetables for distribution to residents in the vicinity.
Ms Rachel Ong said: “Growing food is not just about feeding our bodies, it’s about cultivating connection, stewarding the land, and planting seeds of change for future generations. When we dig our hands into the soil together, we’re growing community.”
The Healthy Harvest initiative aims to achieve the following environmental and community outcomes:
Ms Tan Ping Ping, Head of Sustainability, Prudential Singapore, said: “Healthy Harvest is a collaboration with the SG Eco Fund that reflects our commitment to building climate and health resilience in the community. Through this initiative, we want to empower the community to grow their own food, embrace sustainable living, and make healthier lifestyle choices. As a life and health insurer, we are proud to support initiatives that promote long-term wellbeing. We invite the Telok Blangah residents to join us in cultivating a healthier, more resilient Singapore.”
Mr Desmond Ho, Trust Secretary, SG Eco Fund, said: “The SG Eco Fund supports community projects that advance environmental sustainability in Singapore. We are happy to partner Prudential on the Healthy Harvest initiative, alongside other programmes, to engage the community on environmental sustainability and climate resilience whilst contributing to the goals of our Singapore Green Plan 2030. We hope this effort will inspire more ground-up partnerships to drive collective action in the community.”
Run by social enterprises Farmilysg (Telok Blangah) and City Sprouts (West Coast Park), the community gardens offer inclusive spaces to learn about sustainable food-growing practices and healthy eating. Both gardens feature wheelchair-accessible raised beds and will host activities that are open to the community.
At Telok Blangah, vertical A-frames and modular raised beds are set up within the community garden spanning 185 m2. The space will host educational workshops, food waste collection drives to support composting efforts, and regular distribution of fresh produce at community events organised by Telok Blangah Community Club and the grassroots organisations including Parcview Residents’ Network. Through collaborative volunteering efforts and community-driven activities, the initiative offers meaningful opportunities for residents to build connections and community resilience together.
Meanwhile, the 50 m2 community garden at West Coast Park includes greenhouse lots, raised bed planters and a hydroponic house structure that enable seniors, the young and people with disabilities to take part in gardening activities and workshops. Students with autism will also engage in simple, repetitive gardening tasks that are manageable and therapeutic.
The community gardens are part of Prudential’s special SG60 community investment to celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday and Prudential’s office move to Labrador Tower. Following the announcement in June 2025, Prudential will increase its total investment into the community this year from $880,000 to $1,000,000. Part of the additional funding will go towards creating more activities at the gardens.
https://www.prudential.com.sg
https://www.linkedin.com/company/prudential-assurance-company-singapore/
https://www.facebook.com/PrudentialSingapore/
https://www.instagram.com/prudentialsingapore/
Hashtag: #PrudentialSingapore #Sustainability #CommunityInvestment #CSR
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: Media Outreach
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 October 2025 – The debut of Shama Sukhumvit 101 highlights ONYX Hospitality Group’s proven expertise in management and service excellence, underscoring its commitment to expanding its footprint in Thailand’s serviced apartment sector.
November 2025: ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading regional player in Southeast Asian hospitality, has entered into a strategic partnership with SENA HHP Co., Ltd. to launch Shama Sukhumvit 101. The property is a premium serviced apartment under the Shama brand of stylish residences in prime locations, situated in one of Bangkok’s most vibrant and well-connected districts. It is scheduled to open on 1st December 2025.
Strategically positioned amid mixed-use developments, offices, retail, and dining destinations, Shama Sukhumvit 101 is designed to offer long-stay guests a premium living experience that combines comfort, convenience, and warmth. The 86-unit property features contemporary interiors with spacious layouts ranging from 40 to over 60 square metres, complemented by premium amenities including a fitness centre, swimming pool, first aid room, EV charging stations, and automated parking. The project transforms Piti Sukhumvit 101, one of SENA’s upscale condominiums, into a sophisticated serviced apartment managed under ONYX’s internationally recognised Shama brand.
Ideally located in one of Bangkok’s most dynamic business and lifestyle districts, the property is just a short walk from Punnawithi and Bangchak BTS stations. Nearby landmarks include True Digital Park, Southeast Asia’s largest tech and startup campus; M Tower, headquarters of Bangchak Corporation; and BHIRAJ TOWER at BITEC, a premier office complex directly connected to the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC).
The area also provides convenient access to leading international schools such as Anglo Singapore International School and Wells International School, as well as major industrial and logistics hubs including Bang Phli Industrial Estate, WHA Mega Logistics Center, and Frasers Property Logistics Park—making it an ideal choice for business professionals and families alike.
Adding to its appeal, Shama Sukhumvit 101 features the Shama Social Club, the brand’s signature lifestyle programme that curates engaging activities to help residents connect with one another and the surrounding community. By combining the unique lifestyle of each Shama location with attentive, heartfelt service, the brand fosters a strong sense of belonging—an essential part of the Shama experience. Whether staying short-term or long-term, residents can expect a high-quality living environment that feels both personal and connected.
Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of ONYX Hospitality Group, commented that the partnership marks a meaningful step in the company’s continued expansion into Thailand’s serviced apartment market. He emphasised the growing demand for long-stay accommodation in Bangkok, particularly in high-potential areas like Sukhumvit, which continues to attract both Thai and international residents.
“We see Sukhumvit 101 as a high-potential location,” he said. “It offers convenient access to the city centre via public transportation and is surrounded by business districts, office buildings, educational institutions, and regional logistics centers. These factors contribute to strong residential demand, especially among business travelers and expatriate families, making it a suitable location for serviced apartment development.”
Shama Sukhumvit 101 not only reflects ONYX Hospitality Group’s continued growth in the Thai market, but also reinforces the Shama brand’s commitment to delivering stylish, contemporary serviced apartment experiences in prime urban locations. The brand aims to offer more than just a place to stay—it provides a comfortable, home-like environment that aligns with the lifestyle needs of today’s residents.
As part of this collaboration, ONYX Hospitality Group has been entrusted by SENA HHP Co., Ltd. to oversee the full scope of project management.
This includes enhancing service quality and resident experience, as well as implementing marketing, sales, and operational systems that align with ONYX’s international standards. ONYX will also manage human resources, staff training, revenue systems, and technology integration to ensure that Shama Sukhumvit 101 delivers a premium serviced apartment experience that truly meets the expectations of its target market,” said Mr. Yuthachai Charanachitta, CEO of ONYX Hospitality Group.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Kessara Thanyalakpark, Managing Director of SENA Development Public Company Limited, stated: “This collaboration between SENA HHP and ONYX Hospitality Group stems from a shared vision to elevate Shama Sukhumvit 101 to international standards of management and service. With ONYX’s established reputation and expertise in operating hotels, resorts, and serviced apartments throughout Southeast Asia, we are confident that this property will resonate with Thai and international residents, business professionals, and families seeking a second home in Bangkok.”
SENA Development, recognised as a Sustainable Living Leader, continues to advance its SENA Low Carbon initiative — part of its mission to create projects that actively reduce carbon emissions while enhancing residents’ quality of life. The partnership reflects SENA’s long-term commitment as a Lifelong Trusted Partner, focusing not only on housing development but also on creating sustainable value for people, communities, and the environment.
Managed by ONYX Hospitality Group, Shama Sukhumvit 101 offers a comprehensive range of services designed for modern urban living.
Perfectly suited for business executives, expatriate families, long-stay travellers, and MICE guests, the property delivers premium residential experiences in the heart of Bangkok.
Partnering with SENA HHP Co., Ltd. positions ONYX Hospitality Group for accelerated and sustainable expansion in Thailand’s serviced apartment sector. It also supports the company’s long-term vision of becoming Southeast Asia’s leading mid-sized hospitality management firm, with a strong presence in key regional markets.
Hashtag: #ONYX
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: New Zealand Police
State Highway 2 near Karangahake Gorge in the Hauraki District is blocked following a single-vehicle crash.
Police were notified of the incident just before 5pm this evening. No injuries are reported at this time.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: New Zealand Police
A section of Tāmaki Drive in Auckland will be closed for a short time on Tuesday 28 October, due to a planned hīkoi.
The seaward side of Tāmaki Drive (eastbound) will be closed between Ōkahu Bay and The Strand in Parnell, from 11.45am until around 1.15pm.
The partial road closure is being put in place to ensure the safety of all road users while the hīkoi takes place.
Motorists are advised to plan ahead for any traffic delays and to consider taking alternative routes where possible.
ENDS
Source: Media Outreach
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 October 2025 – AIA Hong Kong (AIA) has once again led across key market metrics in the latest provisional statistics on Hong Kong’s long-term insurance business for the first half of 2025*. Notably, AIA has retained its No.1 position in number of new business policies for 11 consecutive years**— a clear reflection of customers’ enduring trust.
AIA Hong Kong together with Blue Cross were honoured with the highest number of Top-3 Finalist Awards — winning a total of 12 accolades, including 3 Grand Awards. Pictured here is Mr. Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau.
Mr. Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said, “Thanks to our customers’ trust, AIA has led in number of new business policies for 11 consecutive years. This leadership means that when people seek protection for their future and loved ones, AIA remains their top choice because our health and wealth solutions, along with services beyond traditional insurance, truly stand out. What matters most to AIA is helping every customer prepare for the future and care for their loved ones, moving forward with confidence towards Healthier, Longer, Better Lives, while serving diverse customer needs across different coverage sizes. With the trust customers places in us, AIA will continue serving our customers and communities with unwavering commitment to helping people live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.”
Meanwhile, at the award ceremony of the Hong Kong Insurance Awards 2025 organised by The Hong Kong Federation of Insurers on the evening of 23 October, AIA together with Blue Cross were honoured with the highest number of Top-3 Finalist Awards — winning a total of 12 accolades, including 3 Grand Awards.
| AIA | 3 Grand Awards:
7 Top-3 Finalist Recognitions:
|
| Blue Cross | 2 Top-3 Finalist Recognitions:
|
Notes:
* Source: The latest provisional statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business from January to June 2025.
** Based on statistics from Insurance Authority released since 2014 – Provisional statistics of the Insurance Authority on Hong Kong long-term insurance business.
Hashtag: #友邦香港 #AIA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
Source: Media Outreach
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 October 2025 – Led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Pathway (CLAP-TECH) today released an independently conducted first-phase evaluation report assessing the impact and effectiveness of the pilot programme over its initial five years.
The report recognised CLAP-TECH as Hong Kong’s first through-train Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) pathway in mainstream senior secondary and post-secondary education, noting its remarkable success in providing students with unique and effective learning experiences. Students have shown comprehensive improvement in both soft and hard skills, gained a clearer understanding of their opportunities and abilities, and are able to make informed decisions about their future pathways. Graduates have pursued a variety of pathways — including further studies, employment, and entrepreneurship — demonstrating that the programme effectively supports students’ career development and creates diverse learning and employment opportunities for students from different backgrounds.
Furthermore, the report chronicled CLAP-TECH’s five-year journey, underscoring the viability of regularising VPET within the senior secondary curriculum, and urged the Hong Kong government to enable students to concurrently pursue VPET qualifications within the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) framework.
Piloted Model Promoted Diverse Pathways, Equipping Students for Their Future
According to the report, 90% of the programme graduates indicated that they had made informed decisions about their future and were able to pursue diverse options like employment or further studies based on their interests and aptitudes. This stands in stark contrast to the 69% of their non-participating peers, underscoring the significant advantage of early vocational and professional exposure in preparing senior secondary students for successful transitions into their future endeavours. In addition, CLAP-TECH’s holistic curriculum, which seamlessly weaves classroom learning, career and life development activities, internships and workplace experiences, effectively equips students with essential hard and soft skills for the professional world.
Nearly half (46%) of students who took the Applied Learning (ApL) Course in Tech Basics under the programme, and a third (33%) of those who took the Applied Learning Course in Multimedia Storytelling, chose industries related to information technology or engineering, and media, communication, content creation, arts, and design, respectively. Taking the first cohort of students who completed the full “Through-Train Pathway” (graduated in 2024) as an example, some opted for further studies, while others secured employment with CLAP-TECH’s industry partners, and some even started their own businesses, fully demonstrating diverse career pathways.
VPET Delivered Significant Advantages, Especially for Underprivileged Students
The report revealed that CLAP-TECH graduates with comparatively lower HKDSE results (achieving Level 2 or below in five subjects) found the programme more helpful in making informed decisions (90.8%) compared to other students who met bachelor’s degree entry requirements (80%).
Furthermore, CLAP-TECH graduates residing in public or temporary housing reported a higher average self-assessment score in soft skills (86.3%) than students living in private housing or Home Ownership Scheme flats (76.6%). In terms of making informed choices, the proportion of underprivileged students was also higher than that of other students (89.7% versus 81%). This indicates that the pilot programme particularly enhances the practical skills and industry knowledge of students from disadvantaged backgrounds, enabling them to make informed decisions based on their abilities and interests through experiential learning early in their senior secondary curriculum.
Integrating VPET into Senior Secondary Curriculum Cultivates Students’ Essential Skills and Values
The CLAP-TECH curriculum integrates vocational and career development skills with theoretical knowledge, aiming to enhance students’ industry knowledge and interest in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Creative Media. Within the ICT field, 82.8% of graduates affirmed that the programme deepened their industry knowledge, while 88.3% of students reported a surge in industry interest — figures markedly surpassing those of their non-participating schoolmates.
More pronounced results were observed in the Creative Media track, where 93.8% of graduates credited the programme with expanding their industry knowledge and 95.3% reported heightened interest, a proportion far exceeding that of non-participating students from the same schools (industry knowledge: 45.5%, interest: 54.6%). Moreover, the programme yielded substantial improvements in students’ career and life planning capabilities, cultivating essential soft skills, fostering positive values and character traits (See Appendix 1 for detailed results).
Strategic Expansion of Senior Secondary VPET Curriculum to Alleviate Workforce Mismatch
The report also identified the implementation of a tripartite partnership among secondary schools, industry partners and HKBU as a contributing factor to the programme’s success. Over 90 participating schools and 1,400 students have been involved in the programme, resulting in more than 4,300 instances of activity participation. Additionally, the programme benefited from strong support from over 40 industry partners, with more than 360 industry mentors from various fields consistently interacting with students through the Career Mentorship Programme.
The report posited that CLAP-TECH’s VPET model exhibits a high level of replication and sustainability, offering considerable advantages for students and society as a whole.
Andrew Ho, Director of Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Centre, said: “Based on the CLAP-TECH experience, incorporating VPET into the senior secondary curriculum yields multiple educational and societal benefits. The report suggested the government strengthen senior secondary career planning by allowing concurrent vocational studies within the mainstream HKDSE framework or by adding vocational elements to existing courses. This would help students make informed decisions about life and career exploration, and also facilitate progression through the VPET curriculum for those who wish to pursue higher education. It serves as compelling evidence that CLAP-TECH’s pilot model equips students with vital workforce skills and empowers informed career decisions, effectively reducing manpower mismatches and bolstering Hong Kong’s long-term productivity and economic engagement, thus strengthening its future.”
Appendix 1
| Information and Communication Technology | Creative Media | |
| Industry Knowledge and Interests | Over 80% of graduates reported that CLAP-TECH’s programme enhanced their industry knowledge (82.8%) and interest (88.3%), significantly higher than those reported by non-participating students from the same schools (54.6% and 70.2%, respectively). | Over 90% of graduates agreed that CLAP-TECH’s programme boosted their industry knowledge (93.8%) and interest (95.3%), considerably higher than those of non-participating students from the same schools (45.5% and 54.6%, respectively). |
| Career and Life Planning | 84.1% of CLAP-TECH graduates reported that the programme aided them in boosting both self-understanding and career exploration, compared to 63.4% of non-participating students from the same schools. | 92.2% of CLAP-TECH graduates indicated that the programme better prepared them for further studies and career identification, compared to the 68.2% of non-participating students from the same schools. |
| Soft Skills Development | 87.1% of CLAP-TECH graduates reported higher self-assessment of their soft skills compared to non-participating students (77.7%). Significant differences were observed in the percentage of graduates reporting improvement in four key skills: “Responsibility” (94.5% versus 86.2%), “Collaboration” (89.6% versus 80%), “Motivation” (89% versus 78.5%) and “Analytical Thinking” (86.5% versus 77.7%). | Graduates indicated an average self-assessment score of 90.6%, significantly higher than the 75% reported by non-participating students. Out of the 10 essential soft skills, notable increments were observed in eight of the key skills, namely “Collaboration”, “Integrity”, “Responsibility”, “Analytical Thinking”, “Curiosity”, “Motivation”, “Self-Management” and “Resilience”. |
| Values and Personality Growth | Graduates demonstrated an increased emphasis on “Compliance” and “Dependability” (importance of following instructions rose from 63.7% to 80.4%). They also showed greater appreciation for “Variety” and “Adaptability”. (The importance placed on having influence rose from 49.2% to 58.2%) | Graduates aspired to leadership roles and to make an impact through creativity. They placed less importance on money (from 75.5% to 65.7%) and were more concerned about the impact and benefits to others and society (from 53.4% to 65.6%). |
Hashtag: #CLAPTECH
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
