“BOC Life New Generation Financial and Technology Designers’ Programme” Enhanced to Inject New Energy into HK’s STEAM Education 

BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited (“BOC Life”) and St. James’ Settlement jointly announced the launch of the 2023-2024 “BOC Life New Generation Financial and Technology Designers’ Programme” today. The programme has been enhanced by introducing courses designed by an internationally-renowned academic institution, using a more structured approach for learning, aiming to cultivate students’ interest in innovation through fun and creative learning experiences.

The programme was first introduced in 2021, with an objective to promote STEAM education in Hong Kong by supporting underprivileged students entitled to the “Grant-in-aid Brightens Children’s Lives Service” of St. James’ Settlement. Curated for young learners, the curriculum integrates technology application with creative exploration to unlock their potential in innovation. In addition, the curriculum incorporated elements of environmental protection and financial management education, fostering students’ awareness of these concepts from a young age. Since its inception, the programme has already benefited a total of close to 310 students.

Supported by the matching grant from the Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged managed by the Social Welfare Department, this new term will run for three years and is expected to benefit another 480 students, thereby bringing the total number of beneficiaries to nearly 800.

The curriculum is designed for upper primary school students, using internationally-recognised teaching materials. It is aimed to empower students with coding skills for developing mobile applications (APPs), while also integrating concepts of environment, social and governance (ESG) and financial management, for example low carbon tips. Students will also have the opportunity to explore the connection between APPs and various STEAM tools, including micro: bit minicomputer and other auxiliary tools, which will enable them to understand logical and abstract concepts, such as conditional expressions, and sequences.

Ms. Vivienne Chiu, Chief Brand and Communications Officer of BOC Life, said, “BOC Life is devoted to charity projects, particularly those relating to education. This programme has been widely welcomed by schools and students. It supports the needs of STEAM education in Hong Kong by providing resources and equipment to schools, and families in need, so that students could develop their interests in STEAM and unleash their creativity. We look forward to more cross-sector collaboration in driving STEAM education and contributing to the development of innovation and technology in Hong Kong.”

Ms. Josephine Lee, Chief Executive Officer of St. James’ Settlement said, “We are very grateful to BOC Life and Partnership Fund for the Disadvantaged for their support, which enable the programme to continue in the next three years. For school children, knowledge on innovation and technology, ESG, as well as financial management, will become increasingly important in the future. We hope that this programme will help equip school children, enhance their creativities and innovative ideas, and strengthen their abilities to apply knowledge and skills to meet future challenges.”

At the opening ceremony, students and school representative enjoyed experimental activities designed to provide them with a deeper understanding of the programme.