President of Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education Allan Yuen speaks during a media reception in Hong Kong on March 13, 2024. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

HONG KONG – Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education is planning to launch postgraduate courses in early childhood education next year, in order to provide comprehensive teacher training in Hong Kong.

Speaking to reporters during a media reception on Wednesday, college’s president Allan Yuen pointed out that every year more than 90 percent of its high diploma and bachelor’s degree graduates would continue to pursue further studies or a teaching career.

“We hope to offer high-quality postgraduate courses and enhancement programs, with a plan to launch a master’s degree course and a postgraduate diploma course in 2025,” Yuen said.

ALSO READ: Yew Chung gets HK site to build first mainland curriculum school

The design of the two programs were different from those in other institutes, as the master’s degree course aimed at both fresh graduates and practitioners looking to enhance their qualifications, with the medium of instruction in Chinese and English, according to the college’s statement released on Wednesday.

President of Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education Allan Yuen (second right) and other guests pose for a group photo during a media reception in Hong Kong on March 13, 2024. (PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY)

The postgraduate diploma course will be the only one in Hong Kong to allow graduates to directly acquire licenses issued by the government for teaching children with special needs, the statement read.

The president said about 40 percent of the students in the college were non-Chinese and it would continue to promote its programs to attract more international students, particularly those from Southeast Asia, with full scholarships and accommodation subsidies.

READ MORE: HK, Guangdong sign deal on education collaboration

Established in 2008, Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education is the only higher education institute in Hong Kong dedicated to nurturing professionals in early childhood education.