Kick-off of “Intelligent Robots for SEN Children Learning: Robot4SEN” Project
TWGHs Kwan Fong Kai Chi School (KFKCSp) takes the lead and collaborates with over 30 special schools and tertiary institutions to launch the Robot4SEN Project. With the total fund allocation of HK$40,755,400 from HSBC 150th Anniversary Charity Programme, the Project aims to develop the learning abilities of SEN (Special Education Needs) students. The kick-off ceremony was held on 22 May 2017 at the Education University of Hong Kong; with the Hon. CHEUNG Kin Chung, Matthew, GBS, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSAR; Ms. Kathleen GAN, Chief Financial Officer Asia Pacific, HSBC; Professor MA Si Hang, Frederick, GBS, JP, Honorary President of Hong Kong Special Schools Council; Professor CHEUNG Yan Leung, Stephen, BBS, JP, President of the Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK); and Dr. Carrie YAU, GBS, JP, Executive Director of the Vocational Training Council as officiating guests. The Ceremony was also one of the “Community-organised Events for the Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Establishment of the HKSAR”.
Dr. LEE Yuk Lun, JP, the Chairman cum Honorary Supervisor, said the Project will develop about 60 learning software for the intelligent robot in different subjects. The lively multi-media features of the robot will provide diversified learning experience and multiple-sense stimulation to SEN students. This can enhance their learning motivation, concentration, communication skills, so as to enhance their learning effectiveness. Various learning study competitions, training workshops, experience sharing seminars will be organised to the special school teachers, for improving their confidence and abilities in using the robots as a student learning tool, as well as establishing a common platform to promote the professional exchange and sharing among the special school teachers.
Dr. LEE also expressed his gratitude on behalf of TWGHs to the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited for their generous donation, which is essential for the development of the Project and benefits students with special educational needs. The Project is also implemented with the support from the Hong Kong Special Schools Council, the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge of the Vocational Training Council, and the Centre for Special Educational Needs and Inclusive Education of the Education University of Hong Kong.
Ms. Kathleen Gan, Chief Financial Officer Asia Pacific of The Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, said, “Education is crucial to self-empowerment. With robots as teaching assistants at schools, students with special education needs can learn and acquire the skills better for leading a more independent life. HSBC is honoured to support this meaningful project, which will benefit over 8,000 special needs children across 60 schools in Hong Kong.”
Robot-assisted interactive activities, demonstration and photo-taking zone were set up at the Ceremony. Guests were able to experience the application of intelligence robots in learning, and also the innovative outputs of the Project. With the support from the TWGHs Board of Directors, KFKCSp was responsible for the Project management and coordination, dedicated to helping SEN students to overcome their development disorders and learning difficulties, unleash their potentials, and contribute to the society.
Since its establishment in 1870, TWGHs has been all along upholding its mission “To heal the sick and to relieve the distressed; to care for the elderly and to rehabilitate the disabled; to promote education and to nurture youngsters; and to raise the infants and to guide the children.” Nowadays, TWGHs has become the largest charitable organisation in Hong Kong. For over a hundred years, TWGHs’ medical and health, education and community services have developed rapidly to fulfill the needs of the society and to provide high quality services at low rates or for free. Today, TWGHs operates over 309 services centres, including 5 hospitals and 29 Chinese and Western medicine services centres, 54 education services centres, 219 community services centres that cover elderly, youth and family, rehabilitation and traditional services, as well as the Tung Wah Museum and TWGHs Maisy Ho Archives and Relics Centre, which were established to promote, restore and preserve the heritage and relics of TWGHs, with an aim to protect and preserve local traditional culture.
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Dr. LEE Yuk Lun, JP, the Chairman cum Honorary Supervisor, delivered a speech at the Ceremony.
The Hon. CHEUNG Kin Chung, Matthew, GBS, JP, Chief Secretary for Administration, HKSAR, delivered a speech at the Ceremony.
Guests watched the demonstration of robot-assisted teaching.
Robot-assisted interactive teaching demonstration and photo-taking zone were set up at the Ceremony, providing experience of innovative outputs of the Project.