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The "Information Expo on Multiple Pathways 2012", which provides comprehensive information on the multiple pathways open to secondary school graduates as well as a one-stop enquiry service on course information, is being held today (May 12) and tomorrow at the Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre.
At today's opening ceremony the Under Secretary for Education, Mr Kenneth Chen, said there was no need for Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) and Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination candidates to worry about the adequacy of study places.
"By promoting the parallel development of both the publicly funded sector and the self-financing sector, we estimate that there will be more than 75 000 places for post-secondary programmes and around 35 000 places for vocational education and training, and other further study programmes this year. By and large, they should be able to meet the demand of about 100 000 double cohort graduates," said Mr Chen.
He added that the Education Bureau (EDB) was committed to providing flexible and multiple study pathways which offered different entry and exit points for secondary school graduates. Students could choose various pathways in accordance with their interests and capabilities. Apart from degree and sub-degree courses, these pathways included the new Yi Jin Diploma, vocational training programmes, the Youth Pre-employment Training Programme and Youth Working Experience and Training Scheme, and studying in the Mainland and overseas, he said.
To further assist graduates in mapping out their further study pathways, Mr Chen said the EDB had launched the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP) in February, which allowed graduates the chance to get conditional offers before the announcement of public examination results. As such, candidates could be spared the need to travel to different institutions for course enrolment or confirmation of offers. The EDB had also enhanced the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS) to provide details of all full-time non-JUPAS post-secondary programmes, as well as course information and entry requirements. The Bureau had close liaison with post-secondary institutions to ensure smooth arrangements for admission, including standardising the deadline for collecting enrolment deposits from students, so that they could make informed decisions on their articulation and institutions could better allocate their limited places.
The Expo is being held from 10am to 6pm today and tomorrow at Rotunda 2, Kowloonbay International Trade & Exhibition Centre, 1 Trademart Drive. It is organised by the Education Bureau, with the Federation for Continuing Education in Tertiary Institutions, the Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance Masters and Hong Kong Education City as supporting organisations. Admission is free.
More than 30 exhibition booths are providing information on locally accredited post-secondary programmes, the new Yi Jin Diploma programme, vocational education and training programmes, as well as the iPASS and E-APP websites. In addition, major guidance and advisory organisations are providing advisory services to students. There are also talks on topics such as multiple pathways for school graduates and career planning.
Ends/Saturday, May 12, 2012
Issued at HKT 11:41
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