Press Release

Youth Voices Take Centre Stage at ITE-VTC International Student Seminar 2026

23 June 2026

More than 600 youths from Singapore and Hong Kong will share perspectives on sustainability, AI and inclusion at the biennial seminar

From heritage preservation and using AI to detect road defects, to fostering inclusion with youths with special needs through workshops, youth-led projects will take centre stage at the ITE-VTC International Student Seminar (ISS) 2026.

The theme this year is "Youth Voices in a Changing World”, reflecting the spirit of collaboration, innovation and resilience as youths respond to the pressing challenges of our time. Today’s youths are navigating a world shaped by climate change, technological advancement and evolving social realities.

These issues will be explored through three sub-themes:

- Sub-Theme 1: Innovative Cities: Sustainability in Urban Futures

- Sub-Theme 2: Smart Shifts: AI and the Future World

- Sub-Theme 3: Shared Stories: Identity, Inclusion & Global Citizenship

The ISS is a biennial event jointly organised by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore, and the Vocational Training Council (VTC), Hong Kong. It brings students together to discuss contemporary issues, explore ideas and build skills in communication, problem-solving and global awareness.

A Decade Strong in Partnership

VTC, established in 1982, is Hong Kong’s largest vocational and professional education and training provider. It aims to equip school leavers and working adults with the values, knowledge and skills needed for lifelong learning and employability, while supporting industries in manpower development.

Since ISS’ inception in 2007, it has been hosted alternately by the two institutions. VTC hosted the Seminar in Hong Kong in 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2024, while ITE hosted it in Singapore in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2022.

This year marks the 10^th edition of ISS. It will be held from 23 to 25 June at ITE Headquarters and ITE College Central. The Opening Ceremony on 23 June will be officiated by Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Education and Sustainability & the Environment, while the Closing Ceremony on 25 June will be officiated by Ms Jasmin Lau, Minister of State for Education and Digital Development & Information.

Speakers

The Seminar will bring together about 300 VTC students, 300 ITE students and 10 students from Shenzhen Polytechnic University (SZPU), China. They will gain insights from Singapore and Hong Kong guest speakers:

Speaker for Day 1 (Tue 23 Jun)

· Professor Cheong Koon Hean, Chair, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities, and Professor of Practice, Singapore University of Technology and Design
[Sub-theme 1 – Innovative Cities: Sustainability in Urban Futures]
Speakers for Day 2 (Wed 24 Jun)

· Mr Richard Goh, Head of Strategic Initiatives, Amazon Web Services

[Sub-theme 2 – Smart Shifts: AI and the Future World]

· Mr Bosco Ng, Founder and Director, WEDO GLOBAL, Hong Kong
[Sub-theme 3 – Shared Stories: Identity, Inclusion & Global Citizenship]

Voices of Change

Apart from project showcases at the booths, selected student groups from ITE, VTC and SZPU will present their projects on stage. A total of 21 project will be featured at the Seminar: nine from ITE and 12 from VTC (selected project synopses can be found in Annex).

Students will also embark on learning journeys to Singapore’s cultural precincts such as Chinatown, Civic District Heritage Trail, Kampong Glam, and Gardens by the Bay to deepen their appreciation of the nation’s multi-cultural heritage and sustainability efforts. Through self-guided, immersive activities, they will develop exploratory, reflective and teamwork skills while experiencing Singapore’s cultural and urban landscapes.

Mr Peter Lam, CEO, ITE, said, “The 10th edition of the ITE-VTC International Student Seminar marks an important milestone in a partnership built over the years on shared purpose, mutual trust and a common belief in the potential of our youths. Through this collaboration, students from both sides can exchange ideas, broaden their horizons and learn from one another in meaningful ways. In our changing world, partnerships like this will matter even more in helping young people grow with confidence, compassion and a sense of global responsibility.”

Annex

SELECTED PROJECT SYNOPSES

Main Theme: Youth Voices in a Changing World

Project Title

Project Description

Sub-theme 1: Innovative Cities: Sustainability in Urban Futures

The In-Kueh-dible Quest: Sustainability X Kuehs
by ITE College West

As Southeast Asia’s food systems become increasingly dependent on imported ingredients and non-biodegradable packaging, the region risks losing both its culinary heritage and a proven model of sustainable living. Traditional kueh recipes, which rely on locally sourced plants, herbs and natural packaging such as banana leaves, reflect zero-waste and circular economy practices that are gradually being lost as older generations pass on.

To preserve this disappearing knowledge, the project creates an immersive, youth-focused escape room that transforms heritage learning into an interactive adventure. Through multi-sensory digital challenges, including panoramic quests, ingredient-matching games, audio-based cooking puzzles and a final “Death by Kueh” battle, participants will uncover the cultural significance and environmental benefits of traditional kueh-making, inspiring them to see heritage preservation as a meaningful step towards a more sustainable future.

Smart Escalator Safety System (Smart Escalator)
by VTC

The Smart Escalator Safety System (SESS) addresses the critical issue of escalator exit obstructions – a leading cause of serious injuries worldwide. Leveraging AI and an integrated camera-alarm network, SESS provides real-time detection of blockages at escalator exits. Upon detection, the AI camera instantly communicates with an ESP32 main controller, which activates passenger alarms and warning displays while commanding the escalator to reduce speed.

After five seconds of deceleration, the escalator halts completely, preventing pile-up accidents. Normal operation is restored only after a licensed technician verifies safety clearance and manually resets the system. SESS transforms traditional passive safety measures into a proactive, automated solution for enhanced public safety.

Sub-theme 2: Smart Shifts: AI and the Future World

NavigaITE: Leveraging AI Technology to Enhance Students’ Career Readiness (NavigaITE)
by ITE College East

This peer-driven initiative sees ITE students building an integrated platform to provide youths with accessible 24/7 career guidance and preparation support, complemented by outreach to help them navigate the platform. Its key feature is an interactive website with an AI-powered chatbot and a RIASEC*-based career interest quiz to help youths identify suitable pathways.

The site also offers a comprehensive directory of ITE and Polytechnic courses for easy exploration, alongside support for Early Admissions Exercise (EAE), course and internship interviews. To strengthen application readiness, the website includes structured training resources such as step-by-step video guides and downloadable templates for resumes and EAE portfolios.

*Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional

The Road-Twins - AI-based Road Defect Detection Digital Twin System (Road Twins)

by VTC

The Road-Twins project is an AI-powered road defect detection system that addresses road safety challenges in Hong Kong. The system maps physical road conditions to a digital road for the visualisation and analysis of road defects. This is done by utilising vehicle-mounted cameras to record road surfaces, then processing the samples with an AI algorithm to detect and classify road defects in real time.

Key characteristics of road defects, such as their shape and severity, are subsequently integrated into the corresponding location on “Road-Twins”, a Web-based Geographic Information System (GIS) platform that visualises known issues of road conditions on a map. This smart solution enables faster, more accurate road monitoring and supports timely maintenance.

Sub-theme 3: Shared Stories: Identity, Inclusion & Global Citizenship

Minds Beyond Labels – Building Friendship and Inclusion through Everyday Interactions (Minds Beyond Labels)
by ITE College Central

Despite awareness of inclusion, students often have few real-life opportunities to build mutual friendships with youths with special needs beyond structured or supervised contexts. When contact is limited or occasional, students may rely on stereotypes or feel awkward, while youths with special needs may experience social isolation and fewer reciprocal friendships. The project aims to shift student mindsets towards peers on the autism spectrum by moving inclusion beyond one-off events into everyday school interactions through simple conversations in workshops conducted by partner organisations, shared activities such as working on art pieces, photography sessions or games.

FlyCare Smartwatch – The Guardian Angel on Your Wrist: Fostering Global Citizenship Through Inclusive Travel (Flycare)

by VTC

FlyCare is a dedicated smartwatch system designed to make air travel truly inclusive. Developed by a multidisciplinary team of 10 students, it supports passengers with visual, hearing, speech, physical, or cognitive needs by providing personalised, real-time assistance on their journeys, from check-in to arrival.

Unlike reactive assistance, FlyCare empowers users with smart navigation, one-click assistance, and fall detection, restoring their dignity and independence. By connecting passengers directly with airport and airline systems, FlyCare bridges the gap between policy and lived experience, proving that technology can be a bridge for human connection and that a society leaving no one behind is an achievable reality.