Abstract:

In the recent policy address of the Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the priority is to promote the development of the information and technology industry as well as the arts and culture industry. A higher diploma in the art-tech program was designed to nurture talents in the creative media industry. It aims at cultivating a new generation of creative talents by providing both theoretical and practical work-based training. Graduates of the higher diploma program are expected to take up entry-level positions including content curators, business designers, and creative technologists in the innovative and creative media industry. They will be able to design and implement new forms of art, cultural, and experience solutions. The curriculum consists of 60 credit units, including 12 units of language skills, and 48 units of discipline-required courses, such as data visualization and gamification. The program adopts a modular approach for skill-based courses. Teaching and learning will be conducted in an intensive period of six hours a day for seven days. It enables students to concentrate their efforts on a specific body of knowledge and skills. Secondary school students who completed the “Multimedia Storytelling” Applied Learning course and met the minimum admission requirements for Higher Diploma programs will be offered direct admission. Out-of-classroom activities including company visits and overseas study tours are included in the curriculum design. This higher diploma program is part of the CLAP-TECH initiatives to provide alternative pathways for students who are aspired to a learning-by-doing mode of experience than a traditional lecture-type of learning experience. The learning pathway emphasized on authentic experiences, global professional exposures, as well as work-ready attitudes, skills, and knowledge. Industry partners play an important role in curriculum design and delivery. Over ten industry partners were recruited. They provide consultancy services in curriculum design, mentorship of students in groups, and offer other work-integrated learning experiences for students. The Higher Diploma program will be offered in September 2024. This paper will outline the background research that drives the program, the uniqueness of the program, the manpower planning for its delivery, and other organizational supports.

Keywords:

Vocational and professional education, curriculum design, art-tech, creative industry, immersive art experience.