Flexible and multiple pathways available for secondary school graduates (with photos)

     The Chairman of the Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education, Professor Anthony Cheung, officiated at the opening ceremony of the Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2019 today (May 3). Secondary school graduates are encouraged to consider various pathways in accordance with their interests and abilities.
      
     The Government strives to provide flexible and diverse 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) and Diploma Yi Jin programmes.
      
     Students may also consider different levels of programmes under vocational and professional education and training (VPET), which covers 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 2019/20 academic year, it is estimated that there are about 54 000 full-time locally-accredited post-secondary places to be provided by various institutions, comprising 24 000 undergraduate places and 30 000 sub-degree places. Some institutions also provide Diploma Yi Jin and other education programmes.  Hence, there will be sufficient places for eligible students to pursue their studies in Hong Kong.
      
     Organised by the Education Bureau, the Info Expo is held from 10am to 6pm today and tomorrow (May 3 and 4) at Rotunda 2 of the Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre.  Admission is free.
      
     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) and the Diploma Yi Jin programme. Hok Yau Club, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups and the Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association also offer career guidance services on the spot. 
      
     Booths are also set up to provide information on two government subsidy schemes for students pursuing self-financing programmes, namely the Study Subsidy Schemes for Designated Professions/Sector (SSSDP) and Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme for Self-financing Undergraduate Studies in Hong Kong (NMTSS). In the 2019/20 academic year, the scope of SSSDP will be expanded to include sub-degree programmes. It will cover a total of 66 undergraduate and sub-degree programmes involving about 5 000 subsidised intake places, with an annual subsidy of up to $72,800.  NMTSS will continue to cover eligible full-time self-financing locally-accredited undergraduate and top-up degree programmes offered by eligible institutions. A non-means-tested annual subsidy of $31,300 will be provided to eligible Hong Kong students.
      
     Useful tools and platforms, including the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes, the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes, e-Navigator, the Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education and the Qualifications Framework are also demonstrated at the Expo to assist students to plan for further studies.
      
     Apart from information booths, there are also talks and sharing sessions on multiple pathways for secondary school graduates and preparation and strategies for articulation to post-secondary education. Industry and institution representatives will also provide first-hand information about relevant programmes and careers in the industries concerned.