The first meetings of the 2026 HKCT Professional Education and Training Committee of HKCT Institute of Higher Education and Hong Kong College of Technology (“HKCT”) were successfully held on 22 and 24 April respectively. The meetings brought together over 100 industry leaders and senior executives from 12 professional sectors, covering a wide range of pillar and emerging industries, including technology and innovation; business, accounting and financial services; construction, engineering and the environment; as well as aviation, hospitality and tourism.
Members engaged in active exchanges during the meetings, focusing on future talent development and skills enhancement, deepening collaboration with industries, and jointly contributing to the formulation of talent strategies that address long-term development needs.
In his opening remarks, Professor Chan Cheuk-hay, Member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and President of HKCT, highlighted the important role of the Committee in advancing vocational and professional education. He said, “By bringing together the strengths and insights of different sectors, HKCT will be able to offer programmes that more precisely meet the genuine needs of industries and enterprises, while nurturing new skills. This will not only help promote the development of talent cultivation, education, culture, and innovation and technology in Hong Kong, but also align closely with the country’s future policies and overall development agenda. Through its own practice, HKCT looks forward to working with different sectors to explore a Hong Kong model for ‘industry-education integration’ and ‘industry-academia-research collaboration’, putting HKCT’s educational mission into concrete action and contributing to the role and responsibilities entrusted to Hong Kong by the country.”
The agenda of the meetings comprised two major sessions: “Future Skills Needs of Hong Kong’s Talent” and “Focus Sharing – Talent Development and Curriculum Design”. Members held in-depth discussions on how professional education in Hong Kong can align with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan and talent-driven development strategy, reviewed policies relating to mutual recognition of qualifications and professional accreditation, and exchanged views on priority skills training over the next five years, the impact of artificial intelligence and ESG on industry needs, as well as models of industry-academia collaboration. A number of forward-looking and valuable recommendations were put forward.
Looking ahead, the Committee will continue to bring together the collective strengths and professional insights of different sectors to ensure that HKCT’s curriculum remains up to date. HKCT is committed to nurturing more future-ready vocational professionals for Hong Kong and the country, equipped with practical experience, innovative capabilities, and a high level of adaptability.
