For more than forty years, German Industry and Commerce (GIC) has coordinated the Dual System Professional Training (DSPT) programme in Hong Kong, preparing young professionals with both academic knowledge and practical skills through a strong network of partner companies. Modeled on the German vocational training system, the programme has become a recognised cornerstone of high-quality German vocational education abroad.
Over the past few years, the academic training of the programme was carried out in cooperation with the German Business Faculty under Kaplan Business and Accountancy School (KBAS). This great partnership ensured qualified teaching and valuable support, but it did not provide the formal recognition as an independent German school abroad.
This recognition is crucial above all because it enables long-term financial support from the German government, ensuring that DSPT can operate on a stable and sustainable basis. At the same time, it also embeds the programme more deeply within the network of German international schools, strengthening its international credibility and quality assurance.
With this in mind, the German business community worked intensively over the past 18 months to establish the German Business School (GBS) in Hong Kong, marking the decisive step to place DSPT on a sustainable, internationally acknowledged foundation, securing its long-term future in Hong Kong.
Foundation and Governance
The GBS will operate as an accredited German school abroad, ensuring long-term support from German authorities and providing the stability needed to safeguard DSPT. Its creation was the result of close cooperation between GIC, the German Consulate General, the German Central Agency for Schools Abroad (ZfA), the Hong Kong Education Bureau, training companies, institutional partners and individual stakeholders.
Milestones in the First Week
Within the first week of operation, GBS reached important milestones. Second-year students began their classes on the new campus, making the school fully operational. At the same time, the inaugural Board Meeting set the course for the institution’s long-term development. These achievements underline the strong momentum of the project and highlight the close cooperation between the German and Hong Kong business and education communities.
Record Intake for 2025/26
The next academic year will begin with a record intake. In September 2025, 42 trainees will start their vocational training - the largest cohort in DSPT’s history. This development reflects the growing demand for German-standard vocational education in Hong Kong and further strengthens the link between companies and education providers.
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank all stakeholders involved in making this vision a reality. A particular thank you goes to the eight training companies who offered considerable financial support towards the founding of GBS:
- ALDI IBA Hong Kong
- BASF East Asia Regional Headquarters Limited
- DZ BANK AG Hong Kong Branch
- Giesecke & Devrient Asia Pacific Limited
- Hellmann Worldwide Logistics Limited
- Schwarz Asia Pacific Sourcing Limited
- Simba Dickie HK Limited
- Techtronic Industries Company Limited
We also extend our gratitude to Kaplan Business and Accountancy School, whose partnership over the past five years ensured continuity, qualified teaching, and a strong academic foundation during a crucial transitional period.
