The Education Bureau today announced the launch of the second round of the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes to nurture more high-quality talent with applied skills.

The bureau will invite institutions offering self-financing degree programmes under the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) to submit proposals for the second round of the pilot project.

Selected institutions will be invited to develop up to two applied degree programmes by modifying the programme structure and curriculum of the existing degree programmes with stronger industry elements in an industry with keen manpower demand, with reference to the coverage of the SSSDP.

It is expected that the programmes will be launched in the 2024-25 academic year at the earliest.

The first round covers four applied degree programmes launched in the 2022-23 academic year in four disciplines - nursing; testing and certification; horticulture, arboriculture and landscape management; and gerontology.

Those industries not covered by the first round will be given priority.

The Government launched the second round of the pilot project with a view to reviewing and fostering the development of applied degrees, as well as strengthening the vocational and professional education (VPET) progression pathway at the post-secondary level.

It is also to tie in with the strategy of fostering industry-institution collaboration and diversified development for promoting VPET as announced in Policy Address and to follow up on the announcement in the Budget.

Applied degrees’ qualifications should be equivalent to those of conventional academic degrees. They should also adopt a more flexible admission requirement.

Applied degree programmes should have an applied focus blending theory and practice, provide substantial internships and work-based learning experience, and prepare graduates for a specific trade or industry.

In addition, there must be strong industry involvement in the development of applied degrees with trade recognition.