Address by Mr Andrew Chong, Chairman/ITE at the 10th ITE-VTC International Student Seminar 2026 Opening

Dr Janil Puthucheary
Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

The Honourable Jeffrey Lam
Chairman, VTC

I actually have a whole list of names just as what they (emcees) had presented earlier but I shall skip the rest because our dear friends from VTC - we know each other well. You know I’m very happy that you all came.  

I do also have to thank our Distinguished Speakers

Representatives from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office
The Board Members, Management, Staff and Students from ITE, VTC, Shenzhen Polytechnic University and Global Education Network Institutions

Zou San, Dai Ka Hou! Good morning, everyone.

Welcome all of you to the ITE-VTC International Student Seminar (ISS) 2026.

A Milestone to Celebrate

What started in 2007 as a platform for ITE and VTC students to exchange ideas has grown into a cherished tradition. Even for me, since joining the Board of Governors of ITE, I look forward to this event every two years. I can imagine that for the students, this would be even more special. Even the COVID-19 pandemic did not stop us from continuing the tradition. We had to pivot to doing it in a hybrid format in 2022. It was actually quite a logistical challenge but we were determined not to let tradition die because traditions and where we come from, our friends, and valuable things define us as institutions. 

This year marks the 10^th series of the biennial ISS event and therefore it is heartening to know that more than 6,000 students have participated in the seminar and benefited from this cross-cultural learning and collaboration on a huge range of topics and issues. We always get feedback from students and it has always been highly positive, with many citing the opportunity to exchange ideas with peers from different backgrounds, gain fresh perspectives on global issues, and form friendships that extend beyond the Seminar itself. I’m also aware that at least for ITE students, they are always delighted to be able to visit Disneyland in Hong Kong. I hope for VTC students, that you will also have similarly interesting places to visit while you are here.  

Giving Youth a Voice

The theme for this year's seminar – “Youth Voices in a Changing World” - is one that is deeply relevant to every student and in fact to all of us here today. The world is changing, and it isn’t always clear what comes next. I can imagine that this does cause some anxiety, to the workforce and the education system. But the question is, that your voice matters. We are not victims of what is going to happen in this world, we are part of the team that drives them. This seminar is a reminder that the questions you ask, the ideas you share, and the views that you bring to the table matter in terms of the change that we will go through.

Over the next two days, students will share their ideas via their projects. Some teams have explored how everyday food waste can be transformed into useful resources through eco-enzymes. Others have examined how we can use artificial intelligence thoughtfully, ensuring that technology strengthens rather than replaces human thinking.

There are also projects that promote inclusion through friendship, support financial literacy for underserved families, and harness technology to help seniors participate confidently in lifelong learning. We will also hear how students are preserving stories and heritage across generations – reminding us that progress is not only about innovation but also understanding where we come from.

Across all these projects, one thing is clear – change starts here, with you. The curiosity to test new solutions, the care for the community, and courage to try different things. That is how we move from uncertainty to progress, together.

Appreciation

I wish to thank our distinguished speakers for generously sharing their time, expertise and insights with our students.

My deep appreciation goes to the organising committees from ITE and VTC led respectively by Lynn (ITE) and Katherine (VTC). Thank you to you and the team for the many months of planning and hard work behind this event.

Chairman Jeffrey Lam, Deputy Chairman Paul Chong, Executive Director Donald Tong and our colleagues from VTC, thank you for your support and constant friendship. The success of ISS today is built on the commitment of many leaders. We know how much resources we devote to this, how much care we need to put together this programme and we are grateful to continue this journey together.

Finally, to all student participants, I wish you a fruitful and enriching Seminar. Beyond the projects that you have done, I hope you have also broadened your perspectives, built lasting friendships, and carried home ideas that will shape your path forward.

Thank you.