The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

     The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited relating to fraudulent websites and internet banking login screens, which have been reported to the HKMA. A hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website.
           
     The HKMA wishes to remind the public that banks will not send SMS or emails with embedded hyperlinks which direct them to the banks' websites to carry out transactions. They will not ask customers for sensitive personal information, such as login passwords or one-time password, by phone, email or SMS (including via embedded hyperlinks).

     Anyone who has provided his or her personal information, or who has conducted any financial transactions, through or in response to the websites or login screens concerned, should contact the bank using the contact information provided in the press release, and report the matter to the Police by contacting the Crime Wing Information Centre of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

     The Education Bureau (EDB) today (March 21) announced that the Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), having fulfilled the criteria for qualifying as a university of applied sciences (UAS) promulgated in February 2024, has become the first UAS in Hong Kong.
      
     Speaking at a ceremony today, the Secretary for Education, Dr Choi Yuk-lin, said the Chief Executive announced in the 2023 Policy Address that the Government will facilitate the establishment of UASs. The Education Bureau is pleased that the HKMU has met all criteria and become the first UAS in Hong Kong. She highlighted that the HKMU demonstrates its vision, commitment, capabilities and experience in providing high-level vocational and professional education and training (VPET) programmes that blend theory and practice, and having strong recognition and support from industries. It not only represents a milestone for the HKMU but also signifies the Government's commitment to raising the status of VPET at the university degree level, providing young people with an alternative pathway to success.
      
     In assessing the HKMU's application for becoming a UAS, the Government has taken into account relevant factors, including the outcome of the institutional review for UAS by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ), and the HKMU's experience in operating applied degree programmes and other VPET-oriented programmes. The institutional review by the HKCAAVQ focuses on the commitment and competence of the HKMU to qualify as a UAS at both institutional and programme levels, based on three domains, namely governance, management and quality assurance; learning environment and learner support; and industry collaboration and recognition.
      
     Founded by the Government in 1989 as the Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong, the HKMU became the first self-financing university in 1997, with a mission to advance learning, knowledge, and research that meet students' learning aspirations and society's talent needs, focusing on practical and professional programmes. In the 2023/24 academic year, the HKMU operates more than 140 self-financing post-secondary programmes, primarily focusing on professional and practical disciplines, ranging from Levels 4 to 7 under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF), with about 13 800 full-time and 6 200 part-time students in total. It currently operates two applied degree programmes.
      
     Institutions that have qualified as a UAS, including the HKMU, are subject to ongoing reviews by the HKCAAVQ to ensure further development of their maturity and competency. They are also required to submit annual progress reports to the EDB.
      
     To bolster the development of UAS, as announced in the 2024-25 Budget, the Government has granted a start-up fund of $100 million to support UAS and prospective post-secondary institutions to form an alliance of UAS for joint promotion, including collaboration with UAS on the Mainland and overseas, initiating collaboration and research about applied education at the post-secondary level, and organising joint promotion activities, in order to enhance the status of VPET in society and among parents and students. Priority will be accorded to eligible programmes of UAS for inclusion under the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors and eligible applications from UAS when considering applications for relevant support measures, including the EDB's Quality Enhancement Support Scheme and Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education.
      
     Self-financing post-secondary institutions planning to apply for becoming a UAS should have a university title and possess the vision, commitment, capabilities and experience in operating an institution that embodies the key features of a UAS, including:

(a) the vision, maturity and capability in providing high-level VPET programmes ranging from Levels 5 to 7 under the HKQF, blending theory and practice with substantial workplace learning and assessment, having flexibilities in curriculum design, admission and delivery mode, and having recognition and support from industries and professions; and

(b) the experience in providing applied degree programme(s) at least in one area of applied sciences for which it has attained the programme area accreditation or self-accrediting status, and the commitment to developing and providing more applied degree programmes.
 
     The relevant criteria and application procedures are set out in the Manual for Institutional Review for UAS on the HKCAAVQ website (www.hkcaavq.edu.hk/en/accreditation/institutional_review/). Applications are accepted all year round. Eligible institutions may apply for combining the institutional review for becoming a private university and that for UAS, subject to the EDB's approval.

      

     The Highways Department (HyD) today (March 21) said that a section of the westbound traffic lane at Yiu Hing Road near Yiu Tung Estate in Shau Kei Wan will be reopened at about 5.30am on March 23 (Saturday) after rehabilitation and a bus trial run.

     During the torrential rain on September 8, 2023, a severe landslide occurred on a natural slope about 60 to 100 metres above Yiu Hing Road, during which a large amount of boulders mixed with silt were washed down to the surface of the slope below and Yiu Hing Road, resulting in the need for temporary full closure of the section of the carriageway fronting Yiu Ming House of Yiu Tung Estate. The HyD immediately arranged for the contractor to enclose the affected road section to prevent the public from entering the cordoned area, and then collaborated with the Geotechnical Engineering Office to formulate a work plan for the emergency repair works for the natural slope. With a considerable amount of boulders and silt accumulated on the slope, the related emergency works were of high complexity and risk, requiring it to be carried out in phases to ensure the safety of the works personnel. Upon completion of the clearance of the boulders and silt from the road and installation of protective facilities in December last year, the HyD immediately commenced the slope repair works, including removal of boulders on the slope by a large crane, stabilising the slope surface with shotcrete, and further reinforcing the rock surfaces on the higher locations of the slope using dowel bars and shotcrete.
 
     The HyD has completed the above works and reinstated the road surface, and will reopen a westbound lane of Yiu Hing Road to one-way traffic on March 23. The six franchised bus routes (including Citybus Routes 77, 82S, 99, N8 and Cross Harbour Routes 110 and 606) and one green minibus (GMB) route (GMB Route 65) plying the road section concerned in the westbound direction will all resume their original services. The bus stops near Shaukeiwan Plaza, Tung Shing Court and Yiu Tung Shopping Centre will be reopened, while the bus stop opposite Yiu Ming House will continue to be suspended. The six franchised bus routes (including Citybus Routes 77, 99, 720X, N8 and Cross Harbour Routes 110 and 606) and two GMB routes (GMB Routes 50 and 65) plying Yiu Hing Road eastbound will continue to operate via the diverted routing for providing services to the residents of Yiu Tung Estate.

     The HyD will continue to carry out the remaining slope repair works, including installation of metal protection nets on the shotcrete surface in the middle portion of the slope, and construction of concrete buttresses and using rock dowels to consolidate the giant arc stone on the slope. Meanwhile, the Drainage Services Department and the Water Supplies Department will also seek to complete the repair works of all damaged underground public utilities as soon as possible. The HyD has placed containers at appropriate locations on the road as temporary barriers to safeguard the safety of road users. Upon completion of all rehabilitation works, the HyD will conduct the remaining road reinstatement works with a view to fully reopening the carriageway and footpaths of Yiu Hing Road by the end of June this year.

     Since the rehabilitation works are still underway, to safeguard the safety of road users, the relevant section of Yiu Hing Road needs to be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic when specified inclement weather warning signals (including a Localised Heavy Rain Advisory for the Eastern District, Hong Kong; Red or Black Rainstorm Warning Signals; Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No. 8 or above, or a Landslip Warning) are in force. Appropriate traffic signs will be erected on-site to guide motorists. During the road closure, franchised bus and GMB services plying Yiu Hing Road westbound will be temporarily diverted to route via Yiu Hing Road Bus Terminus for maintaining services for the residents of Yiu Tung Estate. Members of the public are advised to pay attention to the latest information released by the Hong Kong Observatory as well as the latest traffic news distributed via radio, television and "HKeMobility" mobile application.

          

     Curated by the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO), the Treasures from Scared Hill Exhibition at MTR Sung Wong Toi Station, upon completion of renewal, will reopen tomorrow (March 22). 
      
     This is the first renewal since its launch in June 2021. ​In addition to renewing the exhibits of the existing section "Song-Yuan Archaeological Discoveries at Sung Wong Toi", the renewed exhibition also features a new section "Sung Wong Toi and Maritime Trade". On display will be a total of more than 500 archaeological finds unearthed during the construction of Sung Wong Toi Station, including Longquan-type celadons, Qingbai and pale celadon ware, writing implements, architectural components, bronze coins, incense burners, and ceramic ware with ink writing of the Song-Yuan period. Most of them are being displayed for the first time. 
      
     â€‹The section "Sung Wong Toi and Maritime Trade" showcases the export ware of China such as the celadon ware of Longquan, black-glazed teacups from Fujian and Meiping unearthed from the site of Sung Wong Toi. Many of them were stamped or with inscriptions and are valuable records for the study of the Maritime Silk Road in the Song dynasty.  
      
     By means of QR codes, the exhibition introduces, through texts, photos and audio guides, the daily lives of Song people such as tea drinking and competition, incense burning, lifestyle of literati, architecture, currency and cargo transportation. By scanning the QR codes attached to the display cabinets, visitors can learn about the everyday lives in Hong Kong during the Song dynasty.
      
     â€‹Due to the discovery of archaeological finds during the construction of Sung Wong Toi Station, the MTR Corporation Limited (MTRCL) commissioned professional archaeologists to conduct archaeological excavations and unearthed a large number of archaeological remains dating to the Song and Yuan dynasties. The AMO has collaborated with the MTRCL to display the archaeological finds in batches at the station since June 2021 to facilitate public understanding of the archaeological achievements.
      
     For details of the exhibition, please visit the AMO website: www.amo.gov.hk/en/visitor-centre/exhibitions/sung-wong-toi-station/index.html or call 2208 4488 for enquiries.

                

The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:

     The spokesman for Caritas Medical Centre (CMC) made the following update today (March 21) regarding a patient leaving the hospital without notification:

     CMC has received notification from the Police that the 71-year-old male patient, who left the Medicine and Geriatric ward of CMC without notification yesterday (March 20), had returned home in the early hours of this morning.