Hong Kong Celebrates Culture and Community at 46th Boston Dragon Boat Festival

New York ETO celebrates culture and community at Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in New York (New York ETO) proudly supported the 46th Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival on June 8 (Boston time), where more than 2 000 paddlers from 72 teams raced on the Charles River in a vibrant celebration of sport and culture.

The Director of the New York ETO, Ms Maisie Ho, highlighted the festival's special significance in her opening remarks.

"As the first North American dragon boat festival established in 1979, this event holds a unique place in sharing Hong Kong's cultural heritage. The teamwork and energy we see on the water mirror the dynamism that defines Hong Kong itself," she said.

Ms Ho emphasised how the festival strengthens ties between Hong Kong and Boston across multiple sectors including business, innovation, and technology.

"As we forge ahead in enhancing our economy and global competitiveness, Hong Kong – anchored on the core principles of openness, global connectivity and value creation – welcomes business and talents from Boston and around the world," she said.

Apart from the exciting actions on water, the festival grounds buzzed with activities like cultural performances, craft demonstrations, and Asian culinary offerings. The New York ETO's promotional booth attracted significant interest, distributing souvenirs to participants and an estimated 60 000 spectators throughout the day.

New York ETO celebrates culture and community at Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New York ETO celebrates culture and community at Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New York ETO celebrates culture and community at Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New York ETO celebrates culture and community at Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

New York ETO celebrates culture and community at Boston Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for Welfare Sector 2026-27 invites applications

The Social Welfare Department (SWD) announced that the full-time Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector 2026-27 is inviting applications starting today (January 12). The programme, which will last for two years, with a total of 427 places, aims to train students to become enrolled nurses to alleviate the shortage of nurses in the welfare sector and enhance the quality of care services.

In response to the keen demand for nurses in the welfare sector, the SWD has commissioned the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Saint Francis University and the Tung Wah College to provide the Enrolled Nurse (General) Training Programme for the Welfare Sector for five consecutive years starting from the 2023-24 academic year.

An SWD spokesman said, "Applicants for the programme must be permanent Hong Kong residents with right of abode in Hong Kong and have attained the age of 18 by the time the training programme commences. They must also have attained Level2 or above in five subjects, including Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and any two other subjects in Categories A (Note) and B, in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination; or an equivalent qualification. Applicants are also required to take note of other entry requirements as specified by respective training institutes."

The spokesman added, "To encourage young people and frontline staff currently serving the welfare sector to upgrade their professional skills, priority will be accorded to applicants who have successfully completed the two-year Diploma Programme and obtained the diploma under the Navigation Scheme for Young Persons in Care Services launched in 2015 (or under the First-hire-then-train Pilot Scheme from 2013 to 2016) by the SWD; or those who are currently working full-time in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or private organisations providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, youth or correctional services. Individuals who aspire to pursue a career as enrolled nurses in the welfare sector are also welcome."

Tuition fees will be reimbursed to trainees in full on the condition that they have successfully completed the training programme and qualified to register as enrolled nurses within two years. Trainees will be required to sign an undertaking to work as an Enrolled Nurse (General) in NGOs or private organisations recognised by the SWD for providing elderly, rehabilitation, family and child care, or correctional services for a continuous period of no less than three years after completion of the training.

Information seminars on the training programme will be held by the three institutes starting from January. Details of the information seminars are set out in the table below:

Training institute

Date and time of information seminar

Website

Enquiry number

Hong Kong Metropolitan University

2pm,

January 27

Programme content (Chinese only)

www.hkmu.edu.hk/nhs/tc/programmes-courses/nursing-and-health-studies/sub-degree-programmes/hdngf1_hdngosf1/

Application

admissions.hkmu.edu.hk/ug/online-application

3970 2928 /

3970 2957

Saint Francis University

3pm, February 6

Programme content

www.sfu.edu.hk/en/programmes/sub-degree-programmes/higher-diploma-in-enrolled-nursing-general-hden-swd/introduction/index.html

Application

onlineapplication.sfu.edu.hk/oa/admission/hdenswdForm

3702 4388

Tung Wah College

3.30pm, January 28

Programme content

www.twc.edu.hk/en/Programmes/hdn_swd

Application

www.twc.edu.hk/admission/

3190 6672

Applications will be closed at 5pm on March 2. For enquiries, please call the enquiry numbers of the training institutes.

Note: "Attained" in Citizenship and Social Development will be accepted as Level 2.

Source: AI-found images