The Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) was officially launched on 11 November 2024 and its launch ceremony took place at Hong Kong Metropolitan University. HKCAAVQ Chairman Hon Rock Chen, SBS, JP, along with HKCAAVQ Council Members and Executive Director Mr Albert Chow attended the ceremony. The Alliance of UAS, comprising four founding institutions, was established to strengthen vocational and professional education and training (VPET) in Hong Kong. It also aims to promote industry-institution collaboration, foster international exchanges, and conduct applied education research to help establish Hong Kong as an international education hub.
Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, GBS, JP, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration, expressed satisfaction with the staunch sectoral support for the government's initiative in developing UAS. Other key government officials who attended the ceremony included Dr Choi Yuk-lin, JP, Secretary for Education, and Ms Michelle Li, JP, Permanent Secretary for Education and Chairman of the Steering Committee on the Alliance. Leaders from member institutions of the Alliance were in attendance, including Professor Paul Lam, President of Hong Kong Metropolitan University; Professor Lo Tit-wing, Acting President of Saint Francis University; Professor Sally Chan, President of Tung Wah College; and Professor Alan Lau, President of the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong. The ceremony also welcomed representatives from more than 80 supporting organisations from across various sectors.
The launch ceremony marked a key milestone in advancing Hong Kong's VPET sector. HKCAAVQ welcomes the establishment of the Alliance of UAS and looks forward to working closely with its members to support diversity in Hong Kong's higher education landscape and enhance the recognition of VPET, so as to nurture applied talents for Hong Kong's future development.