152 Education
challenging programmes for 14 228 gifted students aged 10-18 years. From 2008 to 2011, it provided support for over 7 820 teachers through training programmes and offered advice and support to 16 788 parents through advisory services, talks and seminars; and provided online information through the academy's website for the wider gifted community.
Project Yi Jin
Some 3 000 full-time and part-time students joined the Government's Yi Jin programme in the 2011-12 school year. It was launched in 2000 to provide an alternative route to continuing education for secondary school leavers under the old academic structure and adult learners. Successful completion of the programme earns the students a qualification comparable to five passes in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination for employment and continuing education purposes. The programme is run by member institutions of the Federation for Continuing Education in Tertiary Institutions and has both full-time and part-time modules.
Vocational Education
The Vocational Training Council (VTC) is a statutory body established in 1982 to provide a comprehensive system of vocational education and training for school leavers and adult learners. It provided some 240 000 full-time and part-time places during the 2011-12 school year.
The VTC provides a range of quality, internationally recognised full-time and part-time courses varying from those designed for post-secondary 3 up to higher diploma levels. They are offered through its member institutes such as the institute of Professional Education and Knowledge, School for Higher and Professional Education, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Hong Kong Design Institute, Hospitality Industry Training and Development Centre, Chinese Cuisine Training Institute, Maritime Services Training Institute, Pro-Act Training and Development Centres, Youth College, Integrated Vocational Development Centre and Shine Skills Centres.
The VTC also plans to establish a new member institute, the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, to provide degree courses in the 2012-13 school year. The council also provides services such as the administration of the apprenticeship scheme, trade testing and certification.
Post-secondary Education
Hong Kong has 15 degree-awarding higher education institutions, eight of which are funded by the public through the UGC. The other seven are the publicly- funded Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA) and the self-financing Open University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Chu Hai College of Higher Education, Hang Seng Management College, Tung Wah College and Caritas Institute of Higher Education. Together with providers offering locally-accredited sub-degree progammes, there are 26 post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong.