Prof LO Tit Wing, Acting President of Saint Francis University (SFU), was interviewed by Mr Charles CAI and Mr Mervyn CHEUNG in a Metro Finance broadcast programme on 20 April 2025, and shared the experience of SFU to become a university and the development after becoming a University of Applied Sciences (UAS).
Prof LO shared that since the establishment of Caritas Francis Hsu College in 1985, the programmes offered of the Institute have always been job oriented, and provide Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) options for young people in response to the needs of the community. He was very pleased with the Government's vigorous development of VPET in recent years, including the implementation of the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes and the establishment of the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences (the Alliance).
Although UAS is very popular in the Mainland and overseas, it is still in its infancy in Hong Kong. Prof LO said UAS has four main characteristics, including programmes that are responsive to the needs of the community, close links with industry, recognition of students' work experience as an entry requirement or transferable credit, and emphasis on applied research. Prof LO believed that with the development of UAS, the recognition of VPET programmes would also increase.
Prof LO mentioned that the Alliance would organise an international conference this year, and presidents of Mainland and overseas UAS will be invited. The Alliance would also visit UAS in the Mainland or overseas to learn about the development, how it engaged with the industry, the mode of funding, and the mode of learning of students.
The related media coverage is in Chinese version only.