The Chief Executive, Mrs Carrie Lam, officiated at the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF) International Conference 2018 today (September 17). As one of the major events in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the HKQF, the two-day Conference is being attended by over 200 representatives from around the world including government officials, Qualifications Framework (QF) and quality assurance experts, academics, professionals in vocational and professional education and training (VPET) and practitioners.
The Conference has been organised by the Education Bureau (EDB) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, with the support of the European Commission, the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework Partnership, Quality and Qualifications Ireland and the New Zealand Qualifications Authority. Under the theme "QF in the Next Decade: Quality, Progression and Recognition", the Conference provides a platform for participants to explore global trends and issues including developing QFs, promoting dialogues among places with advanced QF systems, as well as examining the role of QFs in evolving vocational and education training systems.
Delivering a keynote speech on "HKQF: Retrospect and Prospect", the Secretary for Education, Mr Kevin Yeung, said that over the last decade the EDB has built a solid infrastructure for a quality qualifications system that supports progression and fosters recognition. More and more organisations, institutions and employers recognise the importance of the HKQF and adopt it in their recruitment, training, promotion and student admission, he added.
He said that the EDB will focus on the wider application of the HKQF to enhance recognition of qualifications in different industries and enable learners' pursuit of a wide array of quality-assured pathways for further studies and career development. The development of the HKQF will augment the Government's initiative to step up promotion for vocational and professional education and training.
The Conference includes overseas experts from New Zealand, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Malta, Indonesia and Malaysia, as well as local academics, industry leaders and senior government officials who have gathered to share their views and ideas. It is being held at the Central Government Offices today and tomorrow (September 18).
The EDB established the HKQF in 2008 to provide a platform to encourage and facilitate lifelong learning, with a view to enhancing the capability and competitiveness of the workforce in Hong Kong. The HKQF defines clear and objective standards applicable to qualifications in the academic, vocational, professional and continuing education sectors; assures the quality of qualifications and the associated learning programmes available to learners; and assures relevancy of learning to industry needs. The EDB organises QF international conferences from time to time to establish and strengthen collaboration with QF authorities of other places.
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