“Jump & Catch Your Sky” Sneakers Design Competition 2026 Successfully Concludes
The “Jump & Catch Your Sky” Sneakers Design Competition 2026 for primary and secondary students, jointly organised by the Institute of Special Needs and Inclusive Education (ISNIE) of The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), Inclusive Sports Education (iSE) and Gung Hok Charity Foundation, concluded successfully with its Award Presentation Ceremony and Exhibition held earlier.
Under the theme “Blending Creativity and Technology to Illustrate the Steps of Students’ Dreams”, the competition spanned three months from submission to adjudication. It drew participation from over 150 schools and more than 5,000 students across Hong Kong. The scale of participation, rarely seen in local inclusive education initiatives, reflects the strong collective commitment across sectors to eliminating stigma and promoting inclusion.
The competition brought together mainstream and special schools, bridging the education sector, social service organisations and corporate partners in a shared effort to advance inclusive values through creative engagement. Distinct from conventional inclusive education activities, this year’s competition introduced AI-powered design tools for the first time, enabling students to express their support for peers with special educational needs (SEN) through a contemporary technological medium. This innovative approach represents a new direction in promoting inclusive education in Hong Kong, while aligning with the growing emphasis on integrating AI into teaching and enhancing students’ digital competencies.
Participants created designs using both hand-drawing techniques and AI tools, developing signature sneakers for characters from the inclusive-themed novel Jump & Catch Your Sky. The footwear in the original illustrations was intentionally left blank, inviting students to bring each design to life with colours and narratives of their own. In doing so, each pair of shoes became a visual expression of their interpretation of inclusion and diversity.
A distinguished cross-sector judging panel was formed, comprising representatives from the education, technology and creative industries, alongside members of the novel’s original creative team. The panel included Professor Sin Kuen-fung, Executive Director of ISNIE at EdUHK; Ms Zoe Au, Director of Teaching Development at iSE; Ms Lau Sin-tung, Executive Director at Preface; Mr Chung Hei-shun, Vice Principal of Lions Clubs International Ho Tak Sum Primary School; the founder of Electric Spark Studio; as well as the author, illustrator and English translator of Jump & Catch Your Sky.
In addition to adjudication by the judging panel, an online public voting segment was introduced to determine the “Most Popular Design Award”. This initiative not only enhanced public engagement by inviting community participation in the selection process, but also broadened the reach of inclusive education. By encouraging wider public involvement and dialogue, it helped deepen understanding and foster greater recognition of the importance of embracing diversity, removing stigma and building an inclusive culture across society.
For more information and the full list of awardees, please visit: https://isehk.org/jumpandcatchyoursky2026/
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