For more systemic sharing of professional knowledge and training strategies with practitioners and parents, Heep Hong Society consolidated its resources to establish the Academy for Professional Education and Development (APED). The inauguration ceremony was held on 15 November 2014 (Sat) with Miss Annie Tam, Permanent Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Professor Daniel Shek, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Society, Ms Nancy Tsang, Director of the Society, and Advisors of APED as the officiating guests. Together with more than 360 professionals in the sector, they celebrated the milestone in the development of the Society.

On the same occasion, APED held the Seminar on ‘Early Intervention and Integrated Support Identification and Support for Kindergarten Students with Special Educational Needs’. Dr Maggie Koong, World President of the World Organization for Early Childhood Education, shared her views on the international trends in support services for special needs children at kindergarten, while the professional team of the Society elaborated on practical methods to identify and support those children. Their informative and engaging presentations were applauded by the participants.  

Mr Peter Au Yeung, Assistant Director of the Society, said, ‘As more and more special needs children enrol in mainstream kindergartens, teachers are in want of professional support in handling children’s learning, behavioural and emotional problems. The newly established APED will bridge this service gap by offering systematic and practical training programmes.’

APED’s professional training course are now open for enrollment. Please visit http://aped.heephong.org for more details.