The Relevance of Applied Education to Urban Sustainability: A Case Study of a Degree Programme in Horticulture, Arboriculture and Landscape Management in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT

Applied degree programme is an innovative form of vocational education and training. The aim of this chapter is to examine the challenges and opportunities of the implementation of an existing vocational degree programme and its transformation into an applied degree. Bachelor of Science in Horticulture, Arboriculture and Landscape Management, BSc(HALM), which is a degree programme in Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong is used throughout as a case study. The purposes of BSc(HALM), and the methods to achieve them would be examined. Knowledge classification, workplace training and cultivation of transferable skills would be explored. The process of incorporating the positive impacts of COVID-19 would be elaborated to evince the revolution of applied degree programmes. The challenges and potential solutions, at individual, programme, industry and social levels, would be identified and discussed. Teaching and learning experiences would serve as evidence to support the arguments in this chapter. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.