Caritas Hong Kong's Vocational, Professional and Moral Scheme ("VPM Scheme") Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony

28 Oct 2022
 To keep up with society's development, students are encouraged to equip themselves and become better professionals for the future. The Caritas Institutes (hereinafter referred to as Caritas) have always committed to nurturing diverse talents for society's sectors.  Caritas' VPM Scheme targets secondary school students and educates them on different professions.  Through moral education and guided by a quality vocational and professional curriculum, Caritas provides a progressive ladder that transforms students into caring and competive talent. 

On 28 October 2022, Caritas launched the Vocational, Professional and Moral (VPM) Scheme. In the morning, teachers from participating secondary schools were invited to a Pilot Professional Development Day at Caritas Institute of Higher Education (hereinafter referred to as CIHE) and attended talks on the scheme, school tours and other activities.  The following afternoon, about 120 attendees joined the "Vocational, Professional and Moral Scheme Launch Ceremony," which included the Memorandum of Understanding Signing Ceremony to formally establish the scheme.   

The guests include the Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (LOCPG), Mr Chang Chen, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau, Cally Chan, MH, Caritas Hong Kong Chief Executive cum Director, Education Services: Rev. Joseph Yim, and CIHE CBCC president Dr Kim Mak. 

Caritas "VPM Scheme" received major support from organisations in various sectors.  Support from the medical and health services sector, such as the Hong Kong Caritas Social Work Department and the Civil Society Service Centre, and from the digital technology sector, such as Microsoft Hong Kong Limited (Microsoft香港有限公司), Octopus InfoTech Limited (八達科技有限公司), Jadason Technology Ltd. (特新科技有限公司), ASK IDEA (Hong Kong) Limited (艾思能達（香港）有限公司), Titans Entertainment (盾兵科技有限公司), Joy Aether Limited (喜悅有限公司), ICE Production Co. Ltd. (幻意堂制作有限公司) and Anispace. 

Caritas also invited expert consultants to advise the project, including Professor Dean of the School of Computing and Information Sciences of CIHE, Hing Hung Anthony Chan, CUHK the Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care Emeritus Professor, Honorary Professor in Rehabilitation Science at the PolyU, Albert Lee, Hong Kong Computer Society Distinguished Fellowship Mrs Agnes MAK TANG Pik-yee and Chairperson in Director of Agency Members of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service Mr. NG Hang-Sau.

Rev. Father Joseph, added in his speech, "[that] in addition to V (Vocational) and P (Professional), M (Moral) is crucial in the VPM Scheme by Caritas.  We hope to nurture students to become professionals who are both skillful and virtuous and can contribute to society." 

Rev. Father Yim highlighted that the "VPM Scheme" curriculum includes vocational and professional education elements to accommodate students with different interests, aspirations and abilities.  This would help them recognize their own pathway earlier and better comprehend professional knowledge and skills.  Moral and character education would develop students' work ethic and provide them with enough skills after graduating to start work.  If they are interested in further studies, the three colleges under Caritas, namely Caritas Institute of Community Education, Caritas Bianchi College of Careers, and Caritas Institute of Higher Education, can provide them with a "Through Train" progression ladder. 

For the Signing Ceremony, Rev. Father Joseph Yim Tak-lung, Chairman and Chief Executive of the Educational Services of Caritas Hong Kong, and Ms. Cally Chan Shan-shan, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau, signed a Memorandum of Understanding.  Microsoft Hong Kong Limited (Microsoft香港有限公司) agreed to support Caritas to become the Microsoft Professional Certification Examination Centre and assist Caritas students to obtain internationally recognized Microsoft certification to enhance their understanding of digital technology application.  Students will have access to the Microsoft Learn online platform and have access to basic courses on topics such as, artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud technology.  Caritas staff will also have access to the Microsoft Learn for Educators (MSLE) platform, various staff trainings and resources to support teaching.  Microsoft Hong Kong will also assist Caritas secondary schools to plan and build AI Innovation Laboratories and implement other projects for the digitalization of learning and teaching, to promote the development of digitalisation of education, computer sciences, and artificial intelligence education.   

Ms. Chan stated that "Microsoft Hong Kong actively promotes innovation and technology education, nurturing talent for Hong Kong, and popularising digital skills.  These skills are important as language skills.  We are overjoyed to promote this together with Caritas' STEAM education which also aims to bring students to technology, raise interest in digital careers and provides a solid foundation for students.  This aligns with the future development direction of Hong Kong's innovation and technology."  Caritas "VPM Scheme" has been successfully implemented with various supporters.  Caritas would like to thank all its partners and professional consultants who are working together for the future of Hong Kong's youth. 
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