HKSI and THEi Join Hands To Foster Dual Career Pathways for Elite Athletes 

The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) and The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to facilitate dual career pathways in sports and academic study for elite athletes in Hong Kong. 

The MOU was signed by Dr Trisha Leahy BBS, Chief Executive of the HKSI and Prof Christina Hong, President of THEi, witnessed by Mr Tony Choi MH, Deputy Chief Executive of the HKSI and Prof Sam Leung, Dean of Faculty of Management & Hospitality of THEi.  

At the ceremony, Dr Trisha Leahy said “The HKSI is committed to providing an environment in which sports talent can be identified, nurtured, and developed to pursue excellence in the international sporting arena. The collaboration further strengthens and enhances the joint efforts of the local sports and education sectors in cultivating new generations of international champions for Hong Kong.”

Prof Christina Hong said, “The signing of this MOU is an important milestone for THEi in our continuous collaboration with the sports sector. It also represents a valuable option and opens up opportunities for Hong Kong athletes to study our innovative programmes, which in turn foster their whole-person development.” 

Under the MOU, the HKSI may nominate full-time athletes to apply for admission to THEi academic programmes. To better accommodate athletes’ training and competition schedule, THEi will provide flexibility in curriculum delivery and may grant extension of graduation timeline on a case-by-case basis. In addition, mentorship support, academic advice and career planning will also be provided to student athletes. 

Elite gymnast Ng Yan-yin, who graduated from BSocSc (Hons) in Sports and Recreation Management at THEi, encouraged athletes during a pre-recorded sharing at the Ceremony, to consider dual career development. She said that the practical knowledge she got from THEi not only broadens her horizons, but also helps complement her training and competitions. She strongly recommended this mode of study to her successors.

Hung Ka-long, former HKSI Scholarship Athlete (Karatedo) and year three student who is studying the same course as Ng’s, also highly praised the MOU signing. He said, “With the comprehensive support provided through the MOU, full-time elite athletes are able to strike a balance between sport and study through flexible course arrangement. We can manage to stay focused on training or competitions abroad without compromising our academic study, facilitating our pursuit of dual career pathways.” 

Targeting to attract more sporting talents to devote themselves in full-time training, the HKSI has established Elite Athlete-friendly School Network in 2014 and Partnership School Programme in 2015. THEi is the eleventh tertiary institution engaged in MOU with the HKSI for supporting athletes on their dual career pathway in their sporting life.