EDB announces Saint Francis University becomes university of applied sciences
The Education Bureau (EDB) today (November 1) announced that Saint Francis University (SFU), having successfully gone through a stringent institutional review by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) and fulfilled all relevant criteria as confirmed by the EDB, has become a university of applied sciences (UAS).
An EDB spokesman said, "The Government actively promotes the development of UASs to enhance the status of vocational and professional education and training (VPET) at the degree level and provide an alternative pathway to success for young people. The EDB is pleased that SFU has demonstrated its vision, commitment, capabilities and experience in providing high-level VPET programmes in close collaboration with relevant industries, and has successfully gone through the stringent review by the HKCAAVQ and met all of the relevant criteria, becoming the second UAS in Hong Kong."
In assessing SFU's application for becoming a UAS, the Government has taken into account relevant factors, including the outcome of the institutional review for UAS by the HKCAAVQ, and SFU's experience in operating applied degree programmes and other VPET programmes. The institutional review by the HKCAAVQ focuses on the commitment and competence of SFU to operate as a UAS at both institutional and programme levels, based on three domains, namely governance, management and quality assurance; learning environment and learner support; and industry collaboration and recognition.
SFU was founded as the Caritas Francis Hsu College. It began offering degree programmes and changed its name to the Caritas Institute of Higher Education in 2011, and was conferred a university title and was approved to change its name to SFU in January 2024. In the 2024/25 academic year, SFU offers two master's degree programmes, 13 bachelor's degree programmes (including two applied degree programmes) and four higher diploma programmes, with about 3800 full-time and 800 part-time students in total.
Similar to the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, the first UAS in Hong Kong, SFU is subject to ongoing reviews by the HKCAAVQ to ensure further development of its maturity and competency as a UAS. It is also required to submit annual progress reports to the EDB.
To bolster the UAS development, as announced in "The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address", the Government has allocated a start-up fund of $100 million to support UASs and aspiring institutions to establish a UAS alliance this year to embark on joint promotion with the industries and stakeholders, including organising international conferences, strengthening collaboration with applied sciences institutions from other places and initiating collaboration and research on applied education at the post-secondary level. Priority will be accorded to eligible programmes of a UAS for inclusion under the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors and eligible applications from UASs when considering applications for relevant support measures, including the EDB's Quality Enhancement Support Scheme and Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education.
Self-financing post-secondary institutions planning to apply for becoming a UAS should have a university title and possess the vision, commitment, capabilities and experience in operating an institution that embodies the key features of a UAS, including:
(a) the vision, maturity and capability in providing high-level VPET programmes ranging from Levels 5 to 7 under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework, blending theory and practice with substantial workplace learning and assessment, having flexibilities in curriculum design, admission and delivery mode, and having recognition and support from industries and professions; and
(b) the experience in providing (an) applied degree programme(s) in at least one area of applied sciences for which it has attained the programme area accreditation or self-accrediting status, and the commitment to developing and providing more applied degree programmes.
The relevant criteria and application procedures are set out in the Manual for Institutional Review for UAS on the HKCAAVQ website (www.hkcaavq.edu.hk/en/accreditation/institutional_review/). Applications are accepted all year round. Eligible institutions may apply for combining the institutional review for becoming a private university and that for a UAS, subject to the EDB's approval.
Summer influenza season nears its end and winter influenza season yet to begin Public must remain vigilant despite influenza activity declines
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (January 3) reminded the public that seasonal influenza activity has gradually declined over the past two weeks to near baseline levels. This indicated that the summer influenza season, which began in early September last year, might conclude within the next one to two weeks. Nevertheless, the CHP urged the public to remain vigilant and maintain good personal and environmental hygiene at all times. Those who have not yet received seasonal influenza vaccination (SIV), particularly high-risk groups such as pregnant women, the elderly, children and those with underlying illnesses, should receive SIV promptly to reduce the risk of severe illness and death from infection.
Latest surveillance data
-----------------------------
"Hong Kong entered the summer influenza season in early September last year. The seasonal influenza activity peaked in mid-to-late October last year and has since been gradually declining. The latest surveillance data shows that the percentage of respiratory specimens tested positive for seasonal influenza viruses last week (December 21 to 27, 2025) decreased to 4.97 per cent from 7.81 per cent and 6.17 per cent in the previous two weeks (the baseline level is 4.94 per cent). The influenza admission rate in public hospitals was 0.28 cases per 10 000 population (lower than the 0.49 and 0.37 cases per 10 000 population recorded in the previous two weeks, with the baseline level of 0.27 cases per 10 000 population). Regarding outbreaks of influenza-like illness in schools, the number rose sharply from 15 outbreaks in the first week of the new school year last September to 170 outbreaks in mid-October, before gradually declining to 43 outbreaks in mid-November. After a slight rebound to 71 outbreaks in early December last year, the number has steadily decreased over the past few weeks, falling from over 30 outbreaks per week to just four outbreaks last week. The CHP will continue to closely monitor local surveillance data. Should relevant indicators persistently fall below the baseline levels, the CHP will assess next week whether this summer influenza season has concluded," the Controller of the CHP, Dr Edwin Tsui, said.
The predominant virus circulating during this seasonal influenza season is influenza A (H3) virus strain. As in the past, severe or death cases associated with seasonal influenza primarily affect the elderly and children. As of January 1, this summer influenza season has recorded 25 severe paediatric influenza cases, including three fatal cases. The affected children aged between six months to 17 years old. Among them, 20 cases (80 per cent) had not received SIV (including one case who received the 2025/26 SIV only four days before onset of illness. As it generally takes two weeks for the body to develop sufficient protection after vaccination, the case was not protected by the vaccine. Therefore, it is not counted as vaccinated). During the same period, 502 severe influenza cases were recorded among adults, including 339 deaths. Among adult fatalities with available clinical data, over 80 per cent had underlying illnesses.
"Although the summer influenza season shows signs of ending and the winter influenza season has not yet begun, influenza activity may rise again as the weather gradually turns colder in the first quarter of this year. It cannot be ruled out that the circulating virus strains may change. Therefore, I once again urge all individuals aged six months or older, except those with known contraindications, who have not yet received SIV to act promptly. Although there are some antigenic differences between the currently circulating influenza A (H3) virus strain and the virus strain contained in the vaccine, SIV can still offer protection against the variant strain of subclade K, as well as the influenza A (H1) and influenza B strains included in the vaccine. Those who contracted influenza during the summer influenza season should still receive the 2025/26 SIV, if they have not yet done so, to guard against other circulating virus strains that may emerge during the forthcoming winter influenza season," Dr Tsui added.
2025/26 SIV Programmes
------------------------------
Getting vaccinated against influenza is one of the most effective ways to prevent influenza and its complications. It also reduces the risk of serious illness or death from infection. With the concerted efforts of all sectors of the community (including the medical sector, schools, parents and residential care homes), as of December 28, 2025, over 1.89 million doses of influenza vaccine were administered under various SIV programmes in the year 2025/26, representing an increase of approximately 4.7 per cent compared with the same period in the previous influenza vaccination season. Regarding schools, to boost SIV rates, enrolment for the SIV School Outreach Programme has started earlier since the beginning of June last year. The CHP has also introduced enhancement measures, allowing all schools to choose either the live attenuated influenza vaccines (i.e. nasal LAIV) and the "hybrid mode", which allows schools to choose both the injectable inactivated influenza vaccines and the nasal LAIV during the same or different outreach vaccination activities. Vaccination rates among schoolchildren in different age groups are two per cent to nine per cent higher compared to the same period last year.
"The SIV coverage rate for children aged six months to under two years remains relatively low at about 22 per cent. Although this represents approximate five per cent point increase compared to the same period last year, it is still lower than that of other age groups. Through the Primary Healthcare Commission, the CHP has urged family doctors to assist in encouraging parents to give consent for their children to receive SIV. The Government has opened all 29 of the DH's Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHCs) for all children aged six months to under two years to receive the vaccine; as well as the District Health Centres and District Health Centre Expresses and their service outlets under the Primary Healthcare Commission in the 18 districts, and 74 Family Medicine Clinics and 38 public hospitals of the Hospital Authority to provide more choices for the public. For the list of vaccination venues, please refer to the CHP'sVaccination Schemespage. Parents of eligible children may book an appointment for their children to receive vaccination at designated MCHCs via theonline booking system," Dr Tsui said.
He reminded the members of the public to maintain good personal, hand and environmental hygiene. Furthermore, high-risk persons should receive COVID-19 booster doses at appropriate times to lower the risks of serious illness and death. Public with respiratory symptoms, even if the symptoms are mild, should wear a surgical mask and seek medical advice promptly to lower the risk of spreading the disease to high-risk persons.
Members of the public may refer to the CHP'sCOVID-19 & Flu Express,Seasonal Influenza Webpage,COVID-19 Vaccination Programme Webpage, adVaccination Schemes Webpage, for the latest information.
Source: AI-found images
