Hong Kong College of Technology

Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT, Chinese：香港專業進修學校) is a non-profit-making educational institution under HKCT group. Founded in 1947 as Workers’ Night School, HKCT has been dedicated to the development of vocational and professional education for over 75 years. It offers a diverse ranged of vocational-specific programmes catering to individuals of different ages, backgrounds, and social strata, with the aim of progressing towards becoming a leading Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) university.

With the approval of the Hong Kong Chief Executive and the Executive Council, HKCT Institute of Higher Education (the Institute) was established in 2014. Together with all government-subsided universities, the Institute is one of the degree-awarding higher educational institutions in Hong Kong. In the realm of higher edu-cation, HKCT offers full-time and part-time programmes leading to bachelor’s de-grees, higher diplomas, Diploma of Applied Education, and diplomas in various fields. The wide array of programmes caters to the diverse academic achievements and interests of students while providing them with professional knowledge and internship opportunities for those aspiring to enter related industries. They include Sports, Cybersecurity, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Social Work, Disciplined Services, Early Childhood Education, Tourism and Hospitality, Arts, Design and Me-dia, Culinary, Media, Public Relations and Languages, Information Technology and Beauty, etc.

In the area of continuing education, HKCT has been offering training courses under the Employees Retraining Board (ERB) since 1992 (formerly under ERB’s Employment Retraining Scheme), making it one of the first statutory training institutions. Embracing its roles as a pioneer in vocational and professional education, HKCT has built a strong and extensive network of employers, with over 20,000 employer or-ganisations from various industries, including retail, tourism, catering, logistics, healthcare and beauty, and hospitality, joining the employer network of HKCT. Among them, more than 500 employers provide internship and support for students in their programmes regularly.

History
In 1947, Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) was established, as the first non-subvented workers' night school in Hong Kong (the picture shows one of the workers' night schools).

In 1987, with the changing education needs from foundational and cultural knowledge to professional qualifications in different times, Mong Kok Workers' Night School was officially renamed as Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) to reflect its nature. About HKCT

In 1992, HKCT was commissioned by the Hong Kong Government's Provisional Retraining Fund Board (the former "Employees Retraining Board") as the only non-subsidised institution to run the retraining courses. The first retraining course was Chinese Data Input Training. Besides skills training, HKCT is also a pioneer to provide professional psychology counselling services by social workers to the students.

In 1996, Sai Yeung Choi Street Campus was officially opened, offered full-time diploma programmes for S.5 or S.7 graduates.

In 2001, Aligning with the Government policy of expanding the number of quota for post-secondary education in year 2000, HKCT determined to develop post-secondary education and launched the first batch of governmental approved higher diploma programmes.

In 2003, Commissioned by The Education and Manpower Bureau, HKCT Adult Education Centre was set up and started to operate the adult education courses including Evening Secondary School Courses, English Courses and Adult Foundation Education Courses in 19 districts in Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.

In 2005, HKCT Metropolis Campus was opened to cater for the increasing number of full-time students. It provided a better learning environment for students at the time.

In September 2012, the "HKCT Man Fuk Road Campus" was officially opened, adjacent to the HKCT Ho Man Tin Campus.

In August 2013, the Education Bureau announced the allocation of the Lee Ying Cheung School in Ma On Shan to HKCT Corporation Limited, which was put into use in 2015.

In 2014, the registration of HKCT Institute of Higher Education (the Institute) was approved under the Post-Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap.320). The Institute is one of the twenty-two tertiary institutions eligible to award degrees in Hong Kong. About HKCT

In the 2015/16 academic year, due to the expiry of the lease of the Ho Man Tin Man Fuk Road Campus in August 2015, HKCT moved to the newly renovated Ma On Shan Campus in September of the same year. The total floor area of the campus is approximately 7,000 square meters, with an estimated renovation cost of HK$62 million, including the establishment of lecture halls, classrooms, laboratories, studios, and libraries, combining with the existing "HKCT Jockey Club Ma On Shan Campus" to form a "twin campus," establishing a campus area dedicated to higher education in Ma On Shan.

In 2018, Dr. Chan Cheuk Hei, the President of HKCT, was appointed as a member of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

In 2022, the "博學課堂" was launched, and the first student flag-raising team of local higher education institutions was established.

In 2022, HKCT celebrated its 75th anniversary, marking its transformation from a Workers' Night School to an applied higher education institution.

HKCT Institute of Higher education
In 2014, the institute established the HKCT Institute of Higher Education (CTIHE), which is empowered under the Post-Secondary Colleges Ordinance (Cap. 320) to award post-secondary degrees.[3] In the same year, CTIHE began to offer a sole degree programme, the Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Social Development Studies programme.[4]

Bachelor's and Master's Degrees: CTIHE offers the Bachelor of Social Science (Hons) in Social Work, accredited by the Social Workers Registration Board, enabling graduates to apply for registration as qualified social workers. The Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Sports Management with Coaching provides professional training for young sports enthusiasts, creating knowledgeable sports management professionals. HKCT collaborates with several overseas renowned universities to offer master's and bachelor's degree programmes, with graduates receiving certificates from the partner universities. Programmes cover a wide range of fields, including building and surveying, civil engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, property and facilities management, design and graphic design, and information technology.

Higher Diploma and Diploma Programmes: HKCT offers higher diploma and diploma programmes in various fields, covering sports, cybersecurity, Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT), music production, social work, early childhood education, tourism and hospitality, art, design & media, western culinary, communications, public relations and languages, computer science and information technology , business, and accounting. The duration of the higher diploma programme is two years. Upon completion, students can apply for self-financed bachelor's degree programmes at HKCT or bachelor's degree programmes co-organized by HKCT and overseas universities. They can also apply for admission to other local or overseas universities.

Applied Education Diploma (DAE) Programme: Starting from the 2023 academic year, HKCT offers full-time and part-time "Applied Education Diploma" (DAE) programmes, providing 20 popular elective groups, 3 compulsory subjects, and 5 supplementary subjects closely aligned with academic and workplace needs. Graduates will receive qualifications equivalent to Level 2 in 5 subjects (including Chinese and English) of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (DSE), qualifying them for various civil service positions or progression to associate degree programmes. The programme is open to Form Six secondary school leavers or individuals aged 21 and above.

Diploma Yi Jin : HKCT's Diploma Yi Jin has attracted over 51,000 applicants. Currently, there are up to 14 part-time Diploma Yi Jin programmes available, with programmes starting every October, January, April, and July. Students typically complete all subjects within 1 year 3 months to 2 years. Graduates will receive qualifications equivalent to Level 2 in 5 subjects (including Chinese and English) of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (DSE), qualifying them for various civil service positions or progression to associate degree programmes. The programme is open to Form Six secondary school leavers or individuals aged 21 and above.

Applied Learning: Applied Learning (ApL) is one of the elective subjects in the high school curriculum, aiming to provide secondary school students with a diverse learning platform beyond the school curriculum and to cultivate their vocational-related abilities and qualifications.

Campuses
The college has three main campuses:


 * HKCT Jockey Club Undergraduate Campus, 2 On Shing Street, Ma On Shan
 * HKCT Jockey Club Ma On Shan Campus, Yiu On Estate, 2 Hang Hong Street, Ma On Shan
 * HKCT Mong Kok East Campus, 14 Princess Margaret Road, Ho Man Tin
 * HKCT Kwun Tong Learning Centre, 8/F, Wong Tze Building, 71 Hoi Yuen Road, Kwun Tong
 * HKCT Cheung Sha Wan Learning Centre, 1/F, Heya Star 368 Castle Peak Road Cheung Sha Wan
 * HKCT Jordan Learning Centre, 11/F, Wing On Kowloon Centre, 345 Nathan Road
 * HKCT Yuen Long Learning Centre, Shop No. 22, Ground Floor, Golden Plaza, 28 Shui Che Kwun Street
 * HKCT Tsuen Wan Learning Centre, Offices 7-9, 3/F., International Enterprise Centre III, 18 Tai Chung Road
 * HKCT Tseung Kwan O Learning Centre, Unit 2 and 7, B Wing, Po Tai House, Po Lam Estate, Tseung Kwan O
 * HKCT Portland Street Learning Centre, 12/F, 280 Portland Street, Mong Kok, Kowloon

"Designated Programmes/Subjects Scheme" (SSSDP)
In the 2024/25 academic year, eligible local students enrolled in specified Higher Diploma programmes (including Computer Science, Creative Industries, Sports and Recreation, and Tourism and Hospitality) can receive government subsidies ranging from $22,910 to $39,890 per year, depending on the programme.

Among these, the "Higher Diploma in Creative Design and Media (Digital Imaging/Visual Communication)", “Higher Diploma in Cybersecurity (Testing and Compliance)”, "Higher Diploma in Computer Studies (Mobile Application and Game Development)" and "Higher Diploma in Fitness, Coaching, and Sports Management" have the lowest tuition fees compared to similar programmes offered by other institutions.

"Financial Assistance Scheme for Self-financing Undergraduate Studies" (NMTSS)
In the 2024/2025 academic year, eligible local students enrolled in specified full-time self-financed Bachelor's degree programmes can receive government subsidies of $34,390 per year.

Freedom of expression controversy
HKCT maintains a reputation as a patriotic institution, and is governed by a "Beijing-friendly" board. Controversy erupted in 2017 after the school ordered two social work graduands to leave their graduation ceremony at the college's Ma On Shan campus for refusing to stand during the playing of March of the Volunteers, the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. After ordering the students to stand to no avail, school management suspended the ceremony and ordered the pair to leave. Ten other students left in solidarity with the pair. The 12 students were thus not awarded their certificates.

Reportedly, school management had previously delivered a warning against disrespecting the national anthem, but the students felt that this ran contrary to their right to freedom of expression, a fundamental right of Hong Kong people enshrined in Article 27 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong's constitution. The school principal, Chan Cheuk-hay, had also reportedly admonished students for similarly "insulting the anthem" during a graduation ceremony the year before. In November 2017, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress made disrespecting the national anthem a criminal offence in mainland China with a maximum punishment of three years in prison. The Hong Kong Government has said it would introduce legislation to effect the same punishment in Hong Kong. In response to the graduation ceremony incident, HKCT students accused the school of trying to enforce this so-called "national anthem law" before it has been implemented in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, praised the school and the school principal. She stated that "any behaviour that disrespects the national anthem should not be tolerated in Hong Kong", and implored Hongkongers to defend the anthem even though the national anthem law has not yet been enacted in the territory. Pro-Beijing legislator Priscilla Leung commented, "school regulations are the best way to make students get used to respecting their own country. I appreciate the principal very much." On the other hand, pro-democracy lawmaker Shiu Ka-chun accused the school of putting political ideology ahead of education.

Notable alumni

 * Roy Kwong – social worker and politician
 * Oscar Lai – former Scholarism member and Demosistō co-founder
 * Luk Sung-hung: Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong, former council member of the Yuen Long District Council (Tin Hang)
 * Chiu Chu-bong: Former council member of the * Sha Tin District Council (Pok Hong)
 * Yan Tsz-long: Host at Radio Television Hong Kong
 * Lee Man-fong: Host and actor at TVB"
 * Chan Yuk-lun : JFFT, Influencer

Event
There are seven institutions in Hong Kong that offer the Yi Jin Diploma program, with Hong Kong College of Technology (HKCT) ranking first in the number of applications for both full-time and part-time Yi Jin Diploma programs for two consecutive years. According to HKCT's 2019-20 graduate survey, 100% of full-time Yi Jin Diploma graduates successfully pursued further studies or employment within six months of graduation. On 4 December 2021, HKCT, in collaboration with the Hong Kong Olympic Academy, hosted The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Mainland Olympic Athlete Delegation Visit Hong Kong" meeting at the Ma On Shan HKCT Jockey Club Undergraduate Campus. The event welcomed six gold medal athletes and their coaches, who engaged in interactive sessions with over 200 local primary, secondary, and tertiary students. The event was warm and lively, co-organised by the General Administration of Sport of China, Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, and The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, with assistance from the Hong Kong Olympic Academy and HKCT. Attendees included Mr. Kevin Yeung Yun-hung, the Secretary for Education; Mr. WANG Kaibo, the Deputy Director of Department of Publicity, Cultural and Sports Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR; and Mr. WEI Xinyi, the Director of the General Administration of Sport of China.