A signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding for the new programme was held on 22 March 2018, witnessed by Mr Nicholas Yang, Secretary for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government; Ms Annie Choi, Commissioner for Innovation and Technology; Mr Willy Lin, Chairman of HKPC; Professor Eric Yim, Deputy Chairman of VTC; Mr Mohamed D. Butt, Executive Director of HKPC; Mrs Carrie Yau, Executive Director of VTC; and Mr Benny Drescher, Head of Invention Center of Hong Kong; and signed by Dr Lawrence Cheung, Director (Technology Development) of HKPC; Dr Eric Liu, Deputy Executive Director of VTC; and Mr Toni Drescher, Head of Technology Management of Fraunhofer IPT. 

Mr Lin said, “For Hong Kong companies wishing to jump on the Industry 4.0 bandwagon, they must first have the necessary personnel and knowledge. With this new professional diploma programme, Hong Kong workers will be able to acquire the practical knowledge and skills in the relevant areas of Industry 4.0 so that they can subsequently take them back to their companies for smooth and effective adoption.” 

Professor Yim said, “The concept of Industry 4.0 which advocates smart manufacturing and smart city development is in the global spotlight. To help Hong Kong industry transform into smart enterprises, with the input from HKPC and Fraunhofer IPT, we are confident that the new programme in Industry 4.0 will enable us to nurture more home-grown professionals and improve the capability of industry practitioners with the latest knowledge and technology.” 

Accredited as a Qualifications Framework Level 4 course, the new professional diploma programme comprises four modules, namely implementation of Industry 4.0, cyber physical system, smart automation, and Internet of Things application. Programme enrolment will start in June while classes will begin in July. Students are eligible to apply for the Engineering Training Subsidy Scheme that would provide at maximum a 60% refund on tuition fees for successful applicants. 

To help Hong Kong companies keep abreast of the latest development in Industry 4.0, the "Smart Industry One Consortium" was also launched today. Initiated by HKPC, it is a new cross industry platform to facilitate better and swifter information exchange on smart industry, assisting enterprises to become smart and innovative.  

Manufacturers, suppliers and academics are welcome to join the Consortium and enjoy a host of benefits such as Fraunhofer IPT-certified Industry 4.0 consultant services, free admission to specified Industry 4.0 activities and case sharing seminars, discounts on Industry 4.0 training courses and study missions, and one-day on-site Industry 4.0 assessment (corporate members only) etc.