- 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).
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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.
[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).