As part of its effort to promote entrepreneurship and innovation among students, The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) organised a two-day mini fair at Central Market today (17 September), to equip students with first-hand experience in entrepreneurship and marketing management-related skills.  

The “EdU Autumn Mini Fair” was organised by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Education Unit (EIEU) of the University’s Library. It features over 40 stalls run by EdUHK students and alumni. Students from local schools, namely Chiu Chow Association Secondary School, The Church of Christ in China Kung Lee College, The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong Lutheran Secondary School and The Yuen Yuen Institute MFBM Nei Ming Chan Lui Chung Tak Memorial College, also took part in the event.

Among the array of items on offer are handmade crafts, DIY ornaments, self-designed bags, jewellery, eco-friendly products and educational games and tools designed exclusively by EdUHK students and alumni. Instant photo-taking and body painting services are also available. Prior to the fair, training sessions were also organised for participants to learn the latest entrepreneurial concepts and skills, covering financial management, writing a business plan, sales strategy and social media marketing. 

Officiating at the opening ceremony were EdUHK Council Treasurer Ms Imma Ling Kit-sum, Vice President (Academic) and Provost Professor John Lee Chi-kin, Librarian Dr Sidney Cheng Po-ying, sponsor Mr Andrew Chan Kam-chuen and Manager - Leasing (Marketing) of Central Market of Chinachem Group Ms Emily Pun Mei-ching. The Deans from the three faculties, Professor Bruce Macfarlane of Faculty of Education and Human Development, Professor John Erni of Faculty of Humanities, and Professor Li Wai-keung of Faculty of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, were also among the officiating party.

Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Lee was pleased with the overwhelming response from students and alumni to the event amid the pandemic. He said, “EdUHK is committed to promoting educational innovation and offering multidisciplinary learning opportunities for our students. We hope both students and alumni, whether teachers-to-be or not, would demonstrate their creativity, and entrepreneurial and innovative minds in their future careers in education and beyond.”

To further foster a learning environment conducive to entrepreneurship, the University in this academic year has introduced a pilot credit-bearing course on entrepreneurship and innovation (E&I) in the Experiential Learning domain in General Education. Starting in 2023-24, the E&I courses will be compulsory for all four-year full-time undergraduate students of programmes complementary to education. 

-Ends-