Initiated and funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, co-created with The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK), and in collaboration with the Center to Support Excellence in Teaching (CSET) of Stanford Graduate School of Education, the second “JC InnoPower Education Fellowship” (“Programme”) commenced in October 2025. From 10 to 13 December, a Learning Tour to Shenzhen was held, co-organised with the Nanshan District Education Bureau. The tour aimed to provide Hong Kong school leaders with up-to-date insights into education policies and practices in the Chinese Mainland, build networked communities for professional development and school improvement, and promote innovative initiatives for future-ready and inclusive schools.
The learning tour was led by Project Leader Dr Lu Jiafang, Associate Professor in the Department of Education Policy and Leadership at EdUHK, together with Programme representative Ms Marilyn Ng. Six Head Innovation Coaches and three Innovation Coaches, all outstanding educators, facilitated the programme and guided the second cohort of 24 JC InnoPower Education Fellows and their school leadership teams through a series of school visits and in-depth professional exchanges in Shenzhen.
The Nanshan District Education Bureau is widely recognised for its commitment to high-quality, equitable, and future-ready education. At the opening ceremony, Ms Yang Jun, Director of the Nanshan District Education Bureau, emphasised the importance of expanding the scope and depth of cross-border educational collaboration in the new era.
Unlike traditional professional development activities conducted within individual schools or locally in Hong Kong, and distinct from previous cross-border school exchange programmes, this tour is characterised by innovative design and delivery. It comprises three components:
The successful organisation of the tour opened new pathways for the cross-border professional development of school leaders in the Greater Bay Area and highlighted the potential of collaborative advantage across schools and systems.
The expert sharing sessions featured engaging speakers from the national education system, including Mr Yin Houqing, Director of the Shanghai Association for Education; Mr Han Xiaohong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen Nanshan Second Foreign Languages Education Group; Mr Liang Ming, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen Nanshan Foreign Language School Group; Mr Yao Xiaolan, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen Yucai Education Group in Shekou; and Ms Liu Keqin, Principal of Beijing National Day Wonder School. They shared insights into the unique features and pathways of different education collectives, addressing the critical themes of scaling expertise and narrowing the gaps between strong and weak schools. These discussions encouraged participants to reflect on future systemic pathways for educational innovation and inclusive schooling.
Further professional exchanges took place among Ms Sun Lichun, Secretary of the Party Committee of Nanshan Second Foreign Language School (Group) Chiwan School; Mr Tian Yixin, General Principal of Nanshan Second Foreign Language Education Group; and Ms Ge Yanfeng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Qianhai Innovative Education Group. They shared experience and expertise within communities of practice to nurture school innovation and collaboration.
The immersive visits to six schools on the third day enabled participants to gain first-hand experience of typical cross-school professional development activities organised by the hosts of Master Principal Studios and Master Teacher Studios. Through peer learning in a natural professional learning environment that encompassed observation, dialogue, and reflection, participants experienced the dynamics and impact of cross-school communities of practice.
At the conclusion of the tour, participants shared their reflections and learning outcomes in six groups, with 12 host expert principals and teachers from Nanshan, providing feedback. JC InnoPower Fellows reported witnessing and experiencing the influence of cross-school and cross-system professional learning communities. Shenzhen counterparts warmly praised the collective creativity and enduring learning spirit of JC InnoPower Fellows and school leaders from Hong Kong.
The JC InnoPower Education Fellowship is a 15-month talent and sector development programme. Aiming to provide school principals and leaders with broad exposure to global trends, innovative practices from Chinese Mainland and local best practices, while building their adaptive leadership skills to tackle ever-changing challenges in schools. Coupled with intensive coaching support and seed funding to initiate change, the training-and-learning model will bring seasoned Innovation Coaches and educators together in a Community of Practice to share experiences and expertise, nurture school innovation, and foster collaboration.
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