Young PICs at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution Honored for Academic and Vocational Achievements at Ceremony

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution attain good examination results

Young persons in custody (PICs) at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution (STCI) of the Correctional Services Department (CSD) were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations.

Over the past year, a total of 97 young PICs at STCI enrolled in distance learning courses offered by the Hong Kong Metropolitan University, or sat for various academic and vocational examinations, including the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, the Cambridge English Examinations and Caritas Institute of Community Education examinations, as well as examinations organised by SideBySide, the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong, the Construction Industry Council and the Vocational Training Council. The subjects covered food and beverage services, coffee shop operations, Western pastry and dessert making, Cantonese cooking, multimedia design and building services. During the year, the young PICs attained 48 merits out of 367 certificates. In the ceremony today, 24 young PICs were presented with 141 certificates, of which 17 were marked with merits.

Officiating at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Synergy for Rehabilitation Association (CSRA), Dr Cook Chiu, said that the CSRA is supportive of the rehabilitation work of the CSD, and set up the Community Synergy for Rehabilitation Association - Perseverance Education Fund with the aim of providing financial assistance for PICs in need to pursue education and vocational training. He encouraged PICs, adding that as long as they face difficulties with courage, they will eventually fulfil their dreams.

Young PICs staged various performances, namely a lion dance, a Chinese drum performance, a band show and a singing performance at the ceremony to demonstrate their learning outcomes to attendees, and to express their aspirations for a better future.

In the sharing session, a young PIC shared his experiences during rehabilitation, and expressed gratitude for his family's unwavering support and for encouragement from correctional officers, which helped him get back on the right track. He aspired to actively equip himself with a view to preparing for reintegration into society.

STCI accommodates young male PICs aged from 14 to under 25. The Department provides half-day education programmes and half-day vocational training for PICs of training centres and rehabilitation centres to assist them in rehabilitating and preparing for reintegration into society.

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows a young person in custody expressing gratitude to his father for his unwavering support. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows a band composed of young persons in custody delivering a music performance. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows a Chinese drum performance by young persons in custody. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows a lion dance performance by young persons in custody. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Young persons in custody at Sha Tsui Correctional Institution of the Correctional Services Department were presented with certificates at a ceremony today (March 11) in recognition of their efforts and achievements in studies and vocational examinations. Photo shows the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Community Synergy for Rehabilitation Association, Dr Cook Chiu (left), presenting a certificate to a young person in custody. Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities

The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels (Brussels ETO) organised Chinese New Year receptions in Barcelona, Spain, on March 4 (Barcelona time), and Dublin, Ireland, on March 5 (Dublin time), bringing together over 220 guests from local business, public and community sectors in the two countries.

Jointly organised by Brussels ETO, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), with the support of the Spain Hong Kong Business Association, the reception in Barcelona was held to coincide with the Mobile World Congress (MWC), and was well attended by guests including the Hong Kong innovation and technology (I&T) delegation attending the MWC, as well as local start-ups, enterprises and related institutions.

In her welcoming remarks, the Special Representative for the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Affairs to the European Union, Ms Shirley Yung, highlighted that I&T had become a new growth engine for Hong Kong. "We are building a more complete innovation value chain, one that integrates basic research, commercialisation and advanced manufacturing," she said.

Ms Yung also mentioned that Hong Kong achieved a new milestone of having over 5 200 start-ups last year, representing an 11 per cent year-on-year increase. She encouraged European companies, talent and students to come to Hong Kong to leverage the opportunities arising from the rapid development of the I&T sector and related infrastructure in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Northern Metropolis.

Hong Kong's wine and liquor trade as well as related business opportunities were the special focus of the reception in Dublin. Together with the HKTDC and InvestHK, with the support of the Dublin Chamber, Brussels ETO held a business seminar before the reception with the local liquor trade to promote the business opportunities that Hong Kong offers as a leading hub for wine and liquor trading and auctions, following Hong Kong's reduction of duty on liquor with an alcoholic strength of more than 30 per cent in 2024.

Ms Yung also highlighted Hong Kong's premier role as a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and Asia, with the city strategically located at the heart of the region with world-class transport connectivity. She encouraged Irish wine and liquor traders to leverage Hong Kong as a regional hub for trading, distribution, and auctions to expand their market share on the Chinese Mainland and across the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Brussels ETO holds receptions in Spain and Ireland to celebrate Chinese New Year with local communities Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases