Speech - Address by Dr Daniel Yip, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman, VTC at Opening Ceremony of VTC-ITE International Student Seminar 2024, 26 June 2024 (Wednesday)

Acting Chief Secretary Cheuk (Mr CHEUK Wing-hing, Acting Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government),

President Leung (Hon Andrew LEUNG, President of Legislative Council),

LegCo Members,

Chairman Chong (Mr Andrew CHONG, ITE Chairman)

Khah Gek (Ms LOW Khah Gek, ITE CEO),

ITE Friends,

Distinguished Speakers, Guests, Students, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!  I would like to extend a very warm welcome to you all to the VTC-ITE International Student Seminar 2024, especially to our guests, friends and over 300 students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Singapore and Shenzhen Polytechnic University.

Today, we are very privileged to have Acting Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, gracing our event as our Guest of Honour.  We are also grateful to have the Honourable Andew Leung, President of the Legislative Council, LegCo Members and VTC Council Member, for joining us today.

VTC and ITE have been longstanding partners.  Sharing the same mission to provide young people with opportunities to acquire knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, we have jointly organised this VTC-ITE International Student Seminar every two years since 2007.  The seminar has been a beacon of knowledge and interaction, engaging more than 4,000 students over the past 17 years in discussions on pressing global issues and honing their critical thinking skills.

This year, we embrace the theme “ISS Youth Change makers”, with sub-themes of “Innovation”, “Sustainability”, and “Social Impact” thoughtfully curated to ignite conversations on shaping a better future and contributing to our communities.  I believe our student participants will showcase their talent and creativity, and catalyse a movement to create lasting, powerful impact for generations to come. 

Another exciting highlight of the programme will be the insightful sharing by our distinguished speakers on the seminar sub-themes.  We are pleased to have today :

• Mr Edmund Lee, Founder and CEO of AppTech, who will illuminate how disruptive innovations are reshaping our society for the better, and

• Mr Mark Denis Ong, Director of P&T Consultants, who will delve into sustainable construction practices vital for thriving in densely populated cities.

And Tomorrow, Mr Ted Kwan, Co-founder and CEO of Fullness Social Enterprises Society, will join us to share his first-hand experience in driving social change through social enterprises.

I trust this three-day programme will bring to our students inspiration for future career, and the opportunity to forge lasting friendships and networks amongst students from Singapore, Shenzhen and Hong Kong.  I do strongly encourage all students to seize this precious opportunity to immerse in diverse cultures and broaden your perspectives.

As I bring my remarks to a close, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to our great partner, ITE, for its full support to this Seminar; and also to all the students for your enthusiastic engagement.  I wish you all a rewarding and enjoyable experience.  

Thank you.