HKBU-led Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Pathway Advances VPET in Mainstream Education with New Additions to Its Senior Secondary Programme

• New AI-enabled CLAP-TECH Language Innovation Hub strengthens senior secondary students' language proficiency, equipping them with applied skills and AI literacy.
• New Nurturing Potential Students Programme offers tailored enrichment activities to help high-potential students explore career pathways.
• Enhanced CLAP-TECH programme supports the integration of VPET into mainstream education through a transferable, replicable, school-led delivery model.

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 12 November 2026 - Led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, the Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Pathway (CLAP-TECH) has pioneered Hong Kong's first through-train Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) pathway in mainstream senior secondary education since its launch in 2019. Drawing on insights from the initiative's pilot implementation and guided by a forward-looking vision to prepare students for the evolving workforce, CLAP-TECH has added the CLAP-TECH Language Innovation Hub and the Nurturing Potential Students Programme to its senior secondary programme. Delivered through a tripartite partnership among HKBU, secondary schools, and industry partners, the initiative strengthens a school-led model designed for long-term sustainability.

(From left to right) Dr. Joshua Chan, Associate Director, Language Centre of Hong Kong Baptist University; Dr. Ellie Law, Senior Lecturer, Language Centre of Hong Kong Baptist University; Dr. Nora Hussin, Director, Language Centre of Hong Kong Baptist University; Mr. Andrew Ho, Director of CLAP-TECH Centre, HKBU; Dr. Ng Hok Chung , Associate Director, Language Centre of Hong Kong Baptist University; Mr. Yu Lung Kit , Lecturer, Language Centre of Hong Kong Baptist University; Mr. Ivan Chan, Lecturer, Language Centre of Hong Kong Baptist University

New AI-Enabled CLAP-TECH Language Innovation Hub connects language learning to real-life industry genres through Project-Based Learning (PBL)

The new CLAP-TECH Language Innovation Hub supports the Education Bureau's Blueprint for Digital Education Development. Through a purpose-built AI learning platform, the language course fosters equitable access to learning and builds student digital competencies. Co-developed by the HKBU Language Centre and secondary-school teachers, the course connects practical industry applications with key themes covered in the HKDSE Chinese and English language curricula. It is taught by teachers within the CLAP-TECH school network as part of the regular school timetable.

Through CLAP-TECH's pioneering tripartite partnership, industry partners have contributed briefs that ground course tasks in real-world workplace scenarios, connecting Chinese and English language learning with authentic forms of communication used in ICT and creative media. The course comprises scaffolded, project-based tasks, turning workplace challenges into learning opportunities across both Chinese and English modules. Students receive timely feedback through the AI learning platform, building students' confidence and applied communication through judgement-free interaction. Along the course, they produce tangible work and develop future-ready competencies, including AI literacy and critical thinking.

The curriculum of CLAP-TECH Language Innovation Hub is co-developed by the HKBU Language Centre and secondary-school teachers, with industry partners contributing briefs that reflect real workplace needs.

"Language proficiency in today's digital workforce requires students to move beyond traditional classroom learning to master practical communication within authentic professional contexts," said Dr. Joshua Chan, Associate Director, Language Centre of Hong Kong Baptist University. "Through project-based learning, our English modules focus on genre analysis and the exploration of authentic materials to strengthen students' applied communication skills and confidence."

"While Chinese is the native language of most of the students, our Chinese modules go far beyond developing language fluency to nurture a deeper sense of identity through an appreciation and understanding of Chinese culture. By integrating technology, including AI-powered platforms, into Chinese language learning, we encourage students to develop creative thinking, critical analysis and essential soft skills alongside their core language skills," said Dr. Ng Hok Chung, Associate Director, Language Centre of Hong Kong Baptist University.

A student taking CLAP-TECH's newly launched language course, which is taught by secondary-school teachers, embedded in the school timetable and aligned with HKDSE.

New Nurturing Potential Students Programme enhances structured work-integrated learning experiences

CLAP-TECH's programme has demonstrated its ability to equip students with future-ready skills through experiential career development and applied learning. With the Hong Kong SAR Government identifying AI, the digital economy and technological innovation as priority sectors in its first Five-Year Plan, CLAP-TECH is committed to supporting talent development in these areas.

Equitable access to real-life workplace experiences helps all students develop applied communication, collaboration and problem solving skills. While CLAP-TECH continues to offer structured work-integrated learning experiences for all students, the new Nurturing Potential Students Programme provides additional opportunities to high-potential students nominated by the school partners. These students will benefit from tailored enrichment activities delivered in collaboration with CLAP-TECH's industry partners, including:

• One-to-one career mentoring, with students matched to mentors based on their interests.
• Two- to four-week workplace attachments offering hands-on experience aligned with students' intended pathways.
• Short-term, immersive job shadowing that allows students to observe real-world working environments.

These opportunities deepen students' understanding of industries and workplace expectations, preparing them to make informed choices about their future pathways.

Enabling strategic expansion of VPET in Hong Kong's mainstream secondary schools through a transferable, replicable, school-led delivery model

Mr. Andrew Ho, Director of CLAP-TECH Centre, HKBU, said: "The addition of the CLAP-TECH Language Innovation Hub and Nurturing Potential Students Programme addresses key student needs we have identified over the past seven years. These enhancements also advance our efforts to nurture future talent, in line with the Education Bureau's Blueprint for Digital Education Development and in support of Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan. At the implementation level, CLAP-TECH has developed a model that enables partner schools to adopt and adapt modular, industry-aligned units, supported by reusable task banks, delivery guides and assessment rubrics. These resources help schools integrate insights from the project into their school-based curricula. By providing practical infrastructure, train-the-trainer resources and structured teaching materials, we have established a framework for sustainable, school-led delivery."

Since its launch in 2019, CLAP-TECH has engaged more than 90 schools and 2,000 students, generating more than 7,000 instances of programme participation. Supported by more than 40 industry partners and over 380 mentors across diverse fields, the project has established a strong foundation for a sustainable school network.

Buddhist Sum Heung Lam Memorial College, Man Kwan Pak Kau College, The Yuen Yuen Institute MFBM Nei Ming Chan Lui Chung Tak Memorial College, Salesians of Don Bosco Ng Siu Mui Secondary School and Queen Elizabeth School Old Students' Association Tong Kwok Wah Secondary School are currently part of the CLAP-TECH's school networks.

Studies have shown that CLAP-TECH graduates reported higher self-assessment scores than their non-participating peers across key attributes, strengthening students' confidence in their soft skills. 90% of CLAP-TECH graduates felt confident making informed decisions about their future pathways based on their interests and abilities, compared with 69% of non-participants.

Appendix:

Overview of CLAP-TECH Language Innovation Hub:

• Bilingual: Designed to meet students' Chinese and English language-learning needs.
• Responsive design: Accessible on mobile devices and laptops to support flexible learning.
• Intelligent features for students:
  • AI support helps learners with lower language proficiency build confidence through judgement-free, scaffolded learning. Support includes guidance on vocabulary, formatting and Chinese language use.
  • AI is embedded directly into Authentic workplace tasks, from designing a hotel marketing leaflet, writing a vlog script, or recording video pitches, drawing on topics commonly featured in the HKDSE.
  • Students must draft their work independently before unlocking AI support, creating a guided cycle of drafting, feedback and revision.
  • GPT-based automated speech recognition supports spoken assessments, providing immediate feedback based on HKDSE grading standards.
• Intelligent features of the platforms for teachers:
  • Human-checked assessment rubrics underpin instant, paperless feedback. Visual heatmaps and task queues help teachers quickly identify students who need additional support.

• AI support helps learners with lower language proficiency build confidence through judgement-free, scaffolded learning. Support includes guidance on vocabulary, formatting and Chinese language use.
• AI is embedded directly into Authentic workplace tasks, from designing a hotel marketing leaflet, writing a vlog script, or recording video pitches, drawing on topics commonly featured in the HKDSE.
• Students must draft their work independently before unlocking AI support, creating a guided cycle of drafting, feedback and revision.
• GPT-based automated speech recognition supports spoken assessments, providing immediate feedback based on HKDSE grading standards.

• Human-checked assessment rubrics underpin instant, paperless feedback. Visual heatmaps and task queues help teachers quickly identify students who need additional support.

An AI Logbook provides a clear, time-stamped record of students' work, allowing teachers to compare Draft 1 with an AI-polished version. It captures students' outputs, prompts and AI interactions, enabling teachers and researchers to trace revision processes and the development of students' awareness of their own learning over time.

Hashtag: #CLAPTECH

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Pathway

Launched in 2019 and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, Jockey Club Multiple Pathways Initiative – CLAP-TECH Pathway (CLAP-TECH) is Hong Kong's first through-train Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) pathway in mainstream senior secondary and post-secondary education. CLAP-TECH is a tripartite partnership among Hong Kong Baptist University, industry partners, and secondary schools. It currently consists of two Applied Learning Courses (i.e. Tech Basics and Multimedia Storytelling) and Higher Diplomas in Data Science and Art Tech Design. The programme equips students with technical and soft skills for the future workforce by incorporating career and life development into the curriculum. Since its establishment, over 40 industry partners have been involved in the programme, guiding and inspiring over 2,000 students from 90 secondary schools, with over 7,000 instances of programme participation. For more details, please visit: https://www.claptech.hk/en/

** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

• Incoming orders high in second quarter of financial year 2026/2027 and around 3 percent higher after six months compared with equivalent period of previous year
• Sequential increase in sales and EBITDA margin during financial year
• Focus on strategic priorities – integration of manroland sheetfed proceeding according to plan
• Geopolitical crises and advance outlay hit profitability
• Forecast for financial year 2026/2027 – stable sales and adjusted EBITDA margin of between 5.6 and 6.6 percent

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY - Newsaktuell – 12 November 2026 – Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) has seen sequential improvement in its business performance in a geopolitical environment that remains challenging. In the second quarter of financial year 2026/2027 (July 1 to September 30, 2026), incoming orders improved further to € 604 million and were up on the second quarter of the previous year (€ 551 million). Incoming orders after six months amounted to € 1,141 million, which was slightly above the level for the equivalent period of the previous year (€ 1,111 million). Orders increased in all regions in the second quarter. Sales for the first six months of financial year 2026/2027 totaled € 913 million, which was down on the corresponding period of the previous year (€ 985 million). The sales figure of € 509 million for the second quarter of financial year 2026/2027 was roughly the same as the previous year (€ 519 million). Thanks to the healthy order situation and higher incoming orders, the company is expecting its sales and result figures in the second half of the current financial year to be significantly higher than in the first half-year.

At its new site in Egypt, packaging manufacturer UFlex ASEPTO has taken two highly productive Boardmaster systems from HEIDELBERG into operation for the production of aseptic packaging.

In the second quarter, the adjusted EBITDA margin was up on the previous quarter at 6.4 percent. The half-year figure was 3.7 percent (equivalent period of previous year: 6.4 percent), which was mainly due to the lower volume of sales and negative product-mix effects. The macroeconomic situation also worsened, especially in the Middle East, which affected investment behavior. The ramp-up of projects in the HEIDELBERG Technology segment was delayed, too. The net result after taxes for the first half-year was slightly negative at € -9 million (previous year € 0 million). The figure of € 24 million for the second quarter was double the level recorded in the corresponding quarter of the previous year (€ 11 million). This was attributable to a gain recognized in net income from the acquisition of manroland sheetfed.

"Demand for our products and services remains high, which is reflected in rising incoming orders thanks to our strong market position," reveals Jürgen Otto, CEO of HEIDELBERG. "Our profitability is being hit by the continuing market volatility and high cost pressures, and by temporary project-related expenses. We are meeting our sales target despite a difficult market environment, and our strategic measures and acquisitions will help restore our profitability," he adds.

Primarily due to the increase in net working capital during the financial year, the free cash flow after the first six months was € -125 million (corresponding period of previous year: € -64 million). The shareholder's equity of the HEIDELBERG Group was € 596 million on September 30, 2026. This was higher than the figure of € 568 million recorded at the end of the previous financial year on March 31, 2026.

Christoph Burkhard has been the new CFO of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG since October 1, 2026.

"The main factor influencing the free cash flow in the first half-year was the increase in net working capital," explains HEIDELBERG CFO Christoph Burkhard. "HEIDELBERG has a solid financial structure and the necessary stability to systematically invest in line with its strategy, despite a challenging market environment," he emphasizes.

Focus on strategic priorities

In the HEIDELBERG Technology segment, activities in the areas of electromobility (Amperfied) and energy systems made a particular contribution to boosting incoming orders and sales in the first six months of the financial year. Initial orders were also generated from drone defense systems business in the ONBERG joint venture. Due to advance outlay for planned growth, adjusted EBITDA in this segment remained negative (€ -9 million).

Globally strong market position in core business – integration of manroland sheetfed proceeding according to plan

In the Digital Solutions & Lifecycle segment, incoming orders and sales for the first half-year were also up on the previous year. In the Print & Packaging Equipment segment, incoming orders after six months were below the previous year's level. Incoming orders in the second quarter were around 8 percent higher than the previous year.

Global integration of the lifecycle and service business of manroland sheetfed into the HEIDELBERG organization is going according to plan and generated initial orders and sales in the second quarter. Access to over 3,000 new customers and the possible addition of large-format solutions to the portfolio are helping to strengthen the market position of HEIDELBERG. The company is confident it will have completed the integration of manroland sheetfed by the end of 2028 and further expanded its own business thanks to the customers acquired.

"A major packaging order from Egypt has confirmed the Boardmaster is highly relevant for high-performance applications. The investments our customer UFlex ASEPTO has made in an international growth market demonstrate that we can benefit from the structural trends in the packaging sector," says Dr. David Schmedding, Chief Technology & Sales Officer at HEIDELBERG. "Our new label printing press specifically for the Indian market underlines our commitment to playing a key role in India's label and packaging market," he adds.

Forecast for financial year 2026/2027 – stable sales and adjusted EBITDA margin of between 5.6 and 6.6 percent

As already announced on October 29, HEIDELBERG has adjusted its results forecast for financial year 2026/2027. The company is now expecting an adjusted EBITDA margin of between 5.6 and 6.6 percent for the current financial year. The sales forecast for financial year 2026/2027 remains unchanged and is based on the assumption that Group sales will remain stable compared with the previous year's level of € 2,293 million.

Image material and further information about the company are available in the Investor Relations portal and Press Lounge of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG at www.heidelberg.com.

Important Notice:

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates made by the management of Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft. Although management believes these assumptions and estimates to be accurate, actual future developments and results may differ significantly from these assumptions and estimates due to a variety of factors. These factors may include, for example, changes in the general economic situation, exchange rates, and interest rates, as well as changes within the graphic arts industry. Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Aktiengesellschaft assumes no warranty or liability that future developments and actual results achieved will correspond to the assumptions and estimates expressed in this press release.
Hashtag: #Heidelberg

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About HEIDELBERG

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (HEIDELBERG) is a leading technology company that has stood for innovation, quality, and reliability in mechanical engineering worldwide for more than 175 years. With a clear focus on growth, HEIDELBERG, as a full-service provider and system integrator, drives further development in its core areas of packaging and digital printing, software solutions, and the lifecycle business with service and consumables, enabling customers to achieve maximum productivity and efficiency.

Building on decades of industry and systems expertise, the company is also strategically tapping into new markets in the fields of security, energy, charging infrastructure, and industrial system solutions—with clear scaling capabilities and attractive growth prospects. Thanks to a strong international presence in approximately 170 countries, the creativity and expertise of its roughly 9,500 employees, its own production facilities in Europe, China, and the U.S., and one of the largest global sales and service networks, the company is well positioned globally. www.heidelberg.com

** This press release is distributed by Media OutReach Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **