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The Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) announced today (12 June) its appointment of Dr Hong Hing-cheung, Joe, as the new Executive Director with effect from 15 June 2026. Dr Hong will succeed Mr Albert Chow, whose service with HKCAAVQ will end on 14 June 2026. Dr Hong is currently the Deputy Executive Director (Academic) of the HKCAAVQ, where he has served in senior leadership roles for more than a decade. In his present role, he provides strategic leadership over HKCAAVQ’s core statutory functions, including accreditation, assessment, regulatory monitoring, policy development, and organisational performance. He works closely with the incumbent Executive Director and Council to steer the Secretariat’s operations, uphold regulatory rigour, and sustain public confidence in Hong Kong’s qualifications system. Dr Hong holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from The University of Hong Kong. He began his career in the higher education sector at the University of Hong Kong in the early 1990s, and over the past three decades he has cultivated a distinguished career across multiple universities in Hong Kong. Through these roles, he has acquired a substantial track record of leadership and sectoral insight. In 2009, he joined HKCAAVQ as Registrar and subsequently advanced through senior positions. During his tenure, he has been instrumental in shaping HKCAAVQ’s operational model, strengthening its regulatory monitoring framework, and reinforcing its role in quality assurance. A global recruitment exercise in search of the next Executive Director was launched after the incumbent Executive Director Mr Albert Chow’s resignation was accepted. Hon Rock Chen Chung-nin, SBS, JP, Council Chairman of HKCAAVQ, remarked that Dr Hong demonstrated exemplary performance over the years in HKCAAVQ and has made remarkable contributions to the higher education sector. In the global recruitment process, he distinguished himself with extensive professional knowledge and solid experience in accreditation and this was highly recognised by the Search and Selection Committee (SSC). He achieved the highest overall scores among all candidates and the Committee concluded that Dr Hong was the best fit for the candidate profile. Accordingly, the Committee unanimously agreed that Dr Hong is the most suitable candidate to be appointed as the next Executive Director. Hon Chen believes that under Dr Hong’s leadership, HKCAAVQ will continue to seize new opportunities and drive sustainable development. On behalf of the Council, he extended his heartfelt congratulations on Dr Hong’s appointment. Dr Hong will continue to collaborate actively and work closely with the HKCAAVQ Council towards the organisation’s strategic direction, advancing its vision and mission, and fostering even stronger partnerships with the dynamic post‑secondary and VPET sectors. Leveraging his extensive expertise and well‑established professional network, the Council is confident that, under his visionary and strategic leadership, HKCAAVQ will consolidate the robust foundation laid by the incumbent Executive Director, Mr Albert Chow, and his predecessors. The Council further believes that HKCAAVQ will reach new heights in safeguarding the integrity of the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework and in elevating the quality of post‑secondary education and VPET in Hong Kong.   Media Contacts   Ms Claudia Lam Senior Manager (Corporate Services) Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications   Direct: 3658 0123 Email: claudialam@hkcaavq.edu.hk     Ms Winnie Ng Executive Manager (Corporate Communications) Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications   Direct: 3658 0251 Email: winnieng@hkcaavq.edu.hk     [Press Release] Announcement from the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications – Appointment of New Executive Director    

The Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) announced today that Mr Albert Chow, Executive Director of HKCAAVQ, has officially tendered his resignation to the Council. His resignation has been duly accepted.   Hon Rock Chen Chung-nin, Council Chairman of HKCAAVQ, expressed his profound gratitude to Mr Chow for his significant contributions over seven years of service.   During his tenure, Mr Chow dedicated himself to enhancing the quality of local higher education and vocational and professional training. He worked tirelessly to advance quality assurance initiatives and successfully strengthened the Council’s standing both regionally and internationally.   With Mr Chow’s distinguished leadership, HKCAAVQ achieved dual recognition from the European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education (ENQA) and the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), becoming the first quality assurance agency in the Asia-Pacific region to receive this distinguished honor and firmly establishing its leading position. In addition, Mr Chow actively advanced the development of the Qualifications Framework in Guangdong Province and its mutual recognition with the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. He also contributed to the assessment of non-local medical degrees and supported the Education Bureau in promoting the development of the Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) in Hong Kong. These initiatives have made significant contributions to Hong Kong’s vision of becoming an international hub for higher education.   Hon Chen commended Mr Chow for his outstanding performance during his tenure, and fully recognized his leadership and remarkable achievements. He added that the Council will establish a committee to initiate a global recruitment exercise on the appointment of the next Executive Director.   Media Contacts   Ms Claudia Lam Senior Manager (Corporate Services) Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications   Direct: 3658 0123 Email: claudialam@hkcaavq.edu.hk     Ms Winnie Ng Executive Manager (Corporate Communications) Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications   Direct: 3658 0251 Email: winnieng@hkcaavq.edu.hk     [Press Release] Announcement from the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications – Resignation of Mr Albert Chow, Executive Director

The Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) welcomes and fully supports the Chief Executive, Mr John Lee Ka-chiu’s call at the 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election Kick-off Ceremony, pledging its commitment to the successful conduct of the eighth LegCo General Election.    HKCAAVQ recognizes that the eighth LegCo General Election marks the second LegCo election since improving Hong Kong’s electoral system, and is of critical importance to the development of Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education.  HKCAAVQ supports individuals dedicated to public service in standing for election, and actively encourages its staff and their families to vote on the election day (7 December).  Where necessary, HKCAAVQ will offer flexible work arrangements, enabling staff to exercise their civic rights and responsibilities by casting their votes and helping elect capable and virtuous LegCo members who will serve Hong Kong and contribute to the country.

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The Education Bureau (EDB) promulgated the criteria for qualifying as Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) and eligible self-financing post-secondary institutions may submit applications for review under the criteria.   To learn more, please read -    Manual for Institutional Review for Universities of Applied Sciences    Government Press Release

Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) was commissioned by the Education Bureau (EDB) to conduct research and development work on the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes (the Pilot Project). The first batch of courses under the Pilot Project have been launched in the 2022/23 academic year, covering four disciplines: nursing, testing and certification, horticulture, arboriculture and landscape management, and gerontology. HKCAAVQ will submit its final recommendations to EDB in due course and will work closely with the Government to promote the development of vocational and professional education in Hong Kong.   【Hong Kong | 29 November 2022】Commissioned by Education Bureau (EDB), Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) earlier conducted research and development work on the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes (the Pilot Project). The first batch with a total of four programmes[1] have been launched in the 2022/23 academic year.   Applied degrees are pitched at the Qualifications Framework (QF) Level 5, which are equivalent to other conventional undergraduate degrees.  The admission requirements are more flexible than other conventional degrees, considering other relevant factors apart from academic results. Generally speaking, applied degree programmes have an applied focus and prepare graduates for a specific trade / industry, and the industries will provide substantial internships and work-based learning experience to ensure that graduates are equipped with an adequate level of skills and knowledge before joining the industries, while also building a foundation for articulation to other qualifications.   "The EDB would like to thank HKCAAVQ, being the consultant for the project, for their proactive support for the institutions during their development of the programmes. We are pleased to see that all four programmes have successfully undergone the necessary accreditation procedures and have been launched in the 2022/23 academic year as scheduled. The programmes are generally welcomed, with the active participation and recognition from relevant industries. Looking forward, as stated in the Policy Address by the Chief Executive, EDB will continue to work closely with HKCAAVQ and other stakeholders to actively explore the introduction of more applied degree programmes, and further strengthen the VPET pathway, in order to provide more diversified learning and employment opportunities for the younger generation.” remarked Mr Esmond LEE Chung-sin, JP, Deputy Secretary for Education of the EDB.   “HKCAAVQ is honoured to contribute in the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes with its findings further opening up more possibilities for the development of QF for vocational and post-secondary education.  We are motivated to note that the Chief Executive, Mr John LEE, has highlighted his visions in promoting VPET in his inaugural Policy Address delivered last month, addressing on promotion of VPET as a pathway parallel to conventional academic education, through the strategy of fostering industry‑institution collaboration and diversified development. We shall continue to actively assist in the dual-track development for vocational and academic education, in line with quality assurance in accreditation and related promotion initiatives.” said Mr Rock CHEN, SBS, JP, Council Chairman of HKCAAVQ.   HKCAAVQ will include recommendations covering future provision of applied degrees, facilitating measures for stakeholders, development of monitoring and evaluation mechanism and enhanced promotion to the public in the final report to be submitted to the EDB.   [1] Accredited applied degree programmes and their corresponding institutions include Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) programme by Caritas Institute of Higher Education (CIHE), Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours in Integrated Testing, Inspection and Certification programme by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Horticulture, Arboriculture and Landscape Management programme by the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong of the Vocational Training Council (THEi), and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Gerontology programme by Tung Wah College (TWC).   ### ABOUT HKCAAVQ The Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ), formerly the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation (HKCAA), was established in 1990 as an independent statutory body to provide authoritative advice on academic standards of degree programmes in higher education institutions in Hong Kong.  In 2007, the Council was reconstituted under the HKCAAVQ Ordinance (Chapter 1150).  The HKCAAVQ took on responsibility for the vocational and professional education and training sector and statutory roles as the Accreditation Authority and Qualifications Register Authority under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework under the Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications Ordinance (Chapter 592).  The HKCAAVQ provides quality assurance and assessment services to education and training institutions, course providers and the general public. In addition to its statutory roles, the HKCAAVQ also provides advisory and consultancy services in education qualifications and standards to government bureaux and other organisations in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region.   ABOUT THE PILOT PROJECT The Education Bureau launched the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes in December 2020, to develop applied degree programmes with an applied focus blending theory and practice, to gain experience in the practical issues involved in the development of applied degree programmes, and to assess the implications for the higher education system as a whole.  The EDB selected four degree programmes to participate in the Pilot Project which had strong industry elements and were in disciplines with keen manpower demand.  The selected institutions have developed the applied degree programmes by modifying the programme structure and curriculum of these existing programmes.  The EDB engaged the HKCAAVQ to assist the institutions in the development of the applied degree programmes.   CSPE Official Website   [1] Accredited applied degree programmes and their corresponding institutions include Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) programme by Caritas Institute of Higher Education (CIHE), Bachelor of Applied Science with Honours in Integrated Testing, Inspection and Certification programme by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Horticulture, Arboriculture and Landscape Management programme by the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong of the Vocational Training Council (THEi), and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Gerontology programme by Tung Wah College (TWC).

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