Flexible and multiple pathways available for secondary school graduates (with photos)
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     Organised by the Education Bureau (EDB), the Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2018 (Info Expo) is being held from 10am to 6pm today and tomorrow (May 4 and 5) at Rotunda 2 of the Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre to provide secondary school graduates with information on various articulation opportunities so as to better prepare them to plan for further studies and career paths.

     A spokesperson for the EDB said that the Government strives to provide flexible and diversified pathways with multiple entry and exit points to secondary school graduates. Apart from undergraduate programmes, there are other options such as sub-degree programmes (including Higher Diploma and Associate Degree programmes) which are independent and valuable qualifications preparing students for employment in associate professional and management positions at entry level, or for articulation to top-up degree programmes.
      
     Students may consider various levels of programmes under vocational and professional education and training (VPET) which are not confined to programmes of the lower levels but covering relevant programmes up to undergraduate level. VPET has been playing a pivotal role in broadening the learning opportunities for secondary school leavers and in-service personnel as well as nurturing the requisite human capital to support Hong Kong's development.
      
     For the 2018/19 academic year, it is estimated that there will be about 52 000 full-time locally accredited post-secondary places to be provided by various institutions, including 23 000 undergraduate places and 29 000 sub-degree places. Some institutions also provide Diploma Yi Jin and other education programmes. Hence, there will be sufficient places for eligible secondary school graduates to pursue their studies in Hong Kong.
      
     The opening ceremony of the Info Expo was officiated by the Chairman of the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education, Professor Anthony Cheung. Admission is free for the two-day Info Expo.
      
     There are more than 30 exhibition booths providing information on locally accredited post-secondary programmes (including programmes eligible for government subsidy schemes, as well as VPET programmes), the Diploma Yi Jin programme, non-local programmes and articulation pathways outside Hong Kong. Hok Yau Club, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association are also offering career guidance services on the spot. 
      
     The EDB has set up booths to promote two government subsidy schemes for students pursuing self-financing undergraduate programmes, namely the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) and the Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme for Self-financing Undergraduate Studies in Hong Kong (NMTSS). The number of subsidised places under the SSSDP in the 2018/19 academic year will increase to around 3 000 with an annual subsidy amount increased to $71,700 for laboratory-based programmes and to $41,000 for non-laboratory based programmes. The NMTSS will continue to cover eligible self-financing undergraduate and top-up degree programmes offered by relevant institutions. A non-means-tested annual subsidy of $30,800 will be provided to eligible Hong Kong students.
      
     Useful tools and online platforms including the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS), the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP), e-Navigator, the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education and the Qualifications Framework are being demonstrated at the Info Expo to assist students to plan for their further studies.
      
     Apart from information booths, there are also thematic talks and sharing sessions on topics including multiple pathways for secondary school graduates and preparation and strategies for articulation to post-secondary education. Industry and institution representatives are also providing first-hand information about relevant programmes and careers in the industries concerned.
 

Ends/Friday, May 4, 2018
Issued at HKT 15:18

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