Sydney TAFE PR students attended a briefing at the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Head Office during their study tour. Pictured with the TAFE students are Ms Sally Bradfield, Teacher, International Business and Trade, Advertising and Public Relations, Business studies Facility, TAFE NSW – Sydney Institute (far left) and Ms Cynthia Leung, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, HKTB (third from left).

Ten successful PR students from Sydney TAFE won the opportunity to represent their innovative Diploma course in Hong Kong this September. Subsidised by the Federal Government’s Going Global programme, and supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the students visited peak industry organisations and created a video compilation that aims to promote Hong Kong to younger tourists.

Miryana Power, PR Manager for the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) said, “What a wonderful opportunity for Australian students to visit a city on the cutting edge of Public Relations, seeing industry best practice first hand, all on China’s doorstop.”

Five videos were produced and have been uploaded onto YouTube. They were filmed, produced and edited by the students to show a different side of Hong Kong. Sydney TAFE Head Teacher of Advertising, Public Relations and International Trade, Sharon Bennett-Hill said, “Naturally when you think of Hong Kong you think of shopping and food, but the students broadened their perspectives to present the night life, culture and what’s beyond the main metropolis. We’re very proud of what they’ve achieved.”

Students visited the Hong Kong Tourism Board, UBS, Laservision, the iconic Harbour City Shopping Mall, CNN – which included a studio tour, Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Happy Valley racecourse, InterContinental Hong Kong hotel, Hiphongkong.com, Asian leading PR Agency GHC Asia, and the world’s leading PR firm Edelman.

Andrew Kirk from Edelman Hong Kong said, “Edelman is always looking out for talent and I was impressed with the energy and enthusiasm of the TAFE students. As for the videos, if I didn’t already live here, I may move!”

Sydney Institute of TAFE and HKTB judged the videos for a winner. Miryana Power said “It was neck and neck but we gave first prize to Jennifer Courtenay and Yu Yi Kong from Ashfield & Chatswood, second prize to Maryanne & McNeill and Shikha Sahay from Marrickville and Potts Point and special commendation to Blake Riddington and Scott Moulds from Manly & Glenhaven.”

“I can’t believe on top of this incredible learning experience, we also are rewarded with recognition for our video. It was great fun putting the pieces of the video together; reflecting a day in the life of such an amazing city. You can’t buy the knowledge and contacts we’ve gained. It puts us so far ahead in the race for a PR career,” said winner Jennifer Courtenay.

The Sydney TAFE Diploma of Public Relations, which can be completed in an little as six months is OPEN FOR ENROLMENT NOW on-line via the link below.