EdUHK Establishes “Jockey Club Youth Academy for Special Educational Needs”
EdUHK Establishes “Jockey Club Youth Academy for Special Educational Needs”
The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) held an online forum today (9 June) to unveil the admission details of its “Jockey Club Youth Academy for Special Educational Needs” (the Academy), whose mission is to promote lifelong learning for secondary school leavers with special educational needs (SEN). The Academy is the first of its kind among Hong Kong universities.
Supported by the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Special Schools Council, the Centre for Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education (CSENIE) at EdUHK received a generous donation of HK$18 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to establish the Academy.
Among the guests at the online forum were Professor Kenneth Sin Kuen-fung, Director of CSENIE and the Academy; Mr Kennith So Kin-kwan, Head of the Academy; and Dr Leung Wing-hung, Chairman of Hong Kong Special Schools Council. The forum, attended by nearly 500 participants, including teaching professionals from mainstream and special education schools, SEN coordinators, social workers and parents, also featured sharing by prospective SEN students and their families about their expectations of continuing education.
Addressing the forum, Professor Sin said, “As part of EdUHK’s efforts to promote inclusive education, the Academy offers SEN students a series of practical courses and training to promote lifelong learning, self-management and life skills for the 21st century. By doing so, we hope to empower the SEN community with knowledge and skills to improve their prospects and ability to contribute to society.”
The Academy will provide SEN secondary 6 graduates with one- to three-year continuous learning opportunities on the University campus. The first semester is tentatively scheduled to commence in July, and the courses will cover a wide range of areas, including life planning for SEN students, sports and fitness training, special education with adventure-based learning, and music education. Completion certificates will be issued to students who fulfill the requirements.
In addition to lifelong learning, the Academy will provide a platform for pre-service teachers at EdUHK and relevant stakeholders to work with the Academy’s students to advance social inclusion.
