Tribute Lunch to Alumni Advocates: Advancing Together in Collaboration

The "Tribute Lunch to Alumni Advocates: Advancing Together in Collaboration" was successfully held at the Training Restaurant of the Chinese Culinary Institute on Thursday, 1 August 2024. With the presence of over 70 guests, the gathering was attended by VTC Alumni Advocates as well as representatives of academic disciplines of IVE, departments from THEi and VTC Headquarters (Industry Partnership). The Tribute Lunch aimed to express gratitude to the VTC Alumni Advocates for their unwavering support towards the alma mater, and to explore more collaborative opportunities through the alumni network to drive the development of VTC. 

Ms Winnie Ngan, Senior Assistant Executive Director (HQIP), warmly expressed her gratitude to the Alumni Advocates for their unremitting support to VTC. In her welcome speech, she introduced two key Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) Programmes aimed at enhancing the economic restructuring and technological advancement of Hong Kong, namely the "Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (VPAS)" and the "Apprenticeship Scheme". 

Ms Ngan stated that the "Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme (VPAS)" intends to support non-local students pursuing designated full-time VTC Higher Diploma programmes in Hong Kong. She hoped that alumni would provide internships, job opportunities, scholarships and financial assistance to help these students gain invaluable workplace experience, becoming a new driving force in various industries after graduation. 

Under the rebranded "Apprenticeship Scheme", VTC envisions the professional and practical image to highlight the promising prospects of apprentices to the public. Through systematic training, apprentices acquire industry-specific skills that meet industry requirements. They also join companies at an early stage, enabling them to understand the company's culture, enhance their sense of belonging, reduce staff turnover, and contribute to the company's market competitiveness. Ms Ngan encouraged alumni to actively support both of these programmes, as they not only benefit fellow students but also cultivate talents for their own businesses. 

During the Tribute Lunch, alumni mingled and explored collaboration opportunities while indulging in delicacies prepared by instructors and students from the Chinese Culinary Institute. VTC Alumni Relations sought to express appreciation to the Alumni Advocates by presenting them with a commemorative souvenir designed and produced by graduates from the Design discipline. 

VTC Alumni Relations aims not only to express gratitude to the Alumni Advocates through this Tribute Lunch but also to strengthen ties between alumni and VTC and discover more collaboration opportunities. We believe that by working hand in hand and through everyone's efforts and cooperation, we will be able to cultivate more outstanding professionals for society and shape the future of VPET.