Introduction

 

Corporate Tech Academy Network (CTAN) is dedicated to encouraging secondary school students to unleash their creativity by exploring how to integrate drone applications and emerging technologies to solve various problems in daily life. This initiative not only enhances their creativity, but also helps them discover their potential in innovation and technology. Through this competition, students can learn about Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) while applying their knowledge to community life, thus broadening their horizons.

CTAN organises the "Hong Kong VPET Competition for Secondary School 2025/26", inviting all full-time Form 1 to Form 5 students in Hong Kong to participate in teams. Through industrial visits, communications, collaborative learning and teamwork, students will deepen their understanding of VPET and CTAN. Outstanding entries will have the opportunity to be showcased in an exhibition and featured in media reports, thereby enhancing public awareness of vocational and professional education. This initiative aims to create a win-win situation for student career planning, career development, and sustainable talent development within the industry. CTAN unites various sectors of the industry through the following corporate academies:

• CLP Power Academy
• Hong Kong International Aviation Academy
• Hong Kong Institute of Construction
• HKPC Academy
• IVE Engineering Discipline In-service Training Office
• MTR Academy
• Towngas Training Institute

 

Eligibility

• Full-time Form 1 to Form 5 students

 

Participating Teams

• This is a school-based competition. Each school can send a maximum of 2 teams, which must be approved by the principal or teacher.
• Students from the same school form teams of 2-5 members. The team must be led by a designated teacher from the school, and one student will serve as the team leader. Each student may participate in only one team.
• Each team can only have one submission. Duplicated proposals will not be accepted.

 

Registration and Details

• Participating teams must register online via the Google link on the Corporate Tech Academy Network (CTAN) webpage (as below) by Friday, 23 January 2026.

Application Link 

• Participating schools will be invited to attend industry visits/workshops in March 2026, covering industries such as power, aviation, construction, railway, gas and innovation and technology, to deepen students' understanding of VPET and drone applications.

 

Download Competition Rules

 

Competition Briefing 

• A video recording is uploaded to help participants understand the competition details. Briefing Video 

 

Competition Details

Submission for Preliminary Selection

• The competition encourages students to be creative, focusing on the theme: "Combining drone applications and innovative technologies to address community challenges, co-creating a better living environment".
• Each team must submit 6-10 PowerPoint slides (within 10MB) or a short video clip (within 4 minutes) to MTR Academy by Friday, 30 January 2026. The submission should introduce their concept based on the theme above and include suggestions for promoting Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) in the community.
• The organiser will provide a drone to each shortlisted finalist team for their live demonstration of their proposal at the Final Competition. The drone specifications will be provided later.
• Entries must be original works created by the students, and the proposed concepts must not have been applied in Hong Kong before. If the design concept has participated in any other similar activities or competitions, participants must declare it upon registration.
• Teams are not required to present during the Preliminary Selection stage.
• When submitting the entries, teams must also submit 1) a Material Declaration Form and 2) a Statement of Consent and Declaration.
• Participation in industrial visits/workshops, covering industries such as power, aviation, construction, railway, gas and innovation and technology, to deepen students' understanding of VPET and drone applications.

 

The list of shortlisted finalist teams will be announced on Friday, 13 February 2026.

 

Submission for Final Selection

• Each shortlisted finalist team must produce a complete presentation and a prototype based on the theme "Combining drone applications and innovative technologies to address community challenges, co-creating a better living environment", using their concept from the preliminary round. They will also conduct a drone demonstration to explain their concept and its feasibility. 
• Each shortlisted finalist team must submit the complete presentation and 6 photos of the prototype from multiple angles to MTR Academy by Monday, 13 April 2026.
• When submitting the work, it is mandatory to submit 1) the Material Declaration Form, 2) the Statement of Consent and Declaration and 3) the Consent Form for UAV Collection.
• The Final Competition will be held on Saturday, 25 April 2026, at the Hong Kong Productivity Council. Shortlisted finalist teams must present to a panel of judges and demonstrate how to use the drone and the prototype to showcase the feasibility of their solutions.

 

Resources for Shortlisted Finalists (details to be announced later)

• A subsidy for prototype production of up to HK$2,500 per team.
• Invitation to a Drone Application Experience Workshop sponsored by CTAN in February / March 2026. This workshop will provide comprehensive knowledge of drone technology, inspire innovative thinking, and emphasise safe operation practices. After completing the workshop, each shortlisted finalist team will receive one specified drone from the organiser for use in the live demonstration at the Final Competition. If a shortlisted finalist team withdraws from the Final Competition, the team must return the drone to the organiser in good condition.
• Access to the "Innospace (知創空間) - Inno Prototype (創客工場)" at the HKPC Academy for prototype creation. The workshop is well-equipped with 3D printers and laser cutting machines. Professional instructors are available for assistance.

 

Prototype

• Teams should create a prototype to an appropriate scale, with the recommended dimensions that should not exceed 100cm (L) x 100cm (W) x 100cm (H). The prototype should effectively showcase the solution concept, integrating drone applications and innovative technologies. The use of eco-friendly materials for the prototype is encouraged. 
• If an electrical power connection is required, shortlisted finalist teams must inform the organiser in advance to ensure the venue can provide the relevant facilities.
• Each team will have 6 minutes to present to the panel of judges, followed by a 3-minute Q&A session. Details will be announced later.

 

Awards Ceremony and Project Exhibition

• All finalist teams must attend the Awards Ceremony and Project Exhibition held on Saturday, 23 May 2026. The award winners will be announced, and various awards will be presented on that day. The competition works of the finalist teams will be exhibited.

 

Awards 

Champion (1 Team)	Certificate, trophy and HKD$5,000 scholarship
1st Runner-up (1 Team)	Certificate, trophy and HKD$3,000 scholarship
2nd Runner-up (1 Team)	Certificate, trophy and HKD$2,000 scholarship
The Most Creative Award (1 Team)	Certificate, trophy and HKD$2,000 scholarship
Merit Award (5 Teams)	Certificate, trophy and HKD$1,000 scholarship
Teacher's Active Guidance Award (9 teachers)	Certificate of Appreciation

 

All shortlisted finalist teams will receive a participation certificate.

 

Event Schedule

Date	Procedure
23 January 2026	Deadline for Competition Application
30 January 2026	Deadline for Preliminary Selection (6-10 slides within 10MB or a short video clips within 4 minutes)
13 February 2026	Announcement of Finalists
February / March 2026	Drone Workshop
March 2026	Industrial Visits / Workshops
13 April 2026	Submission Deadline for Final Selection (a complete set of presentation files with 6 multi-angle photos of prototype creation)
25 April 2026	Final Competition
23 May 2026	Award Ceremony & VPET Project Exhibition

The organiser reserves the right to modify the above schedule based on actual circustances.

 

Enquiry

mtra@mtr.com.hk