(From left) GIA president William Boyajian; vice president of GIA education Brook Ellis and director of development Jerry Buckley with InvestHK's Mike Rowse (2nd right) at the roast pig cutting ceremony to celebrate GIA's new training centre in Hong Kong

Located in Central, the 5,000 sq ft GIA training centre will provide gemological training to more students with interests in career development in the jewellery industry. The institute's Graduate Gemologist Diploma (G.G.) is widely recognised by gem and jewellery professionals worldwide.

The President of GIA, William E. Boyajian, said: "With important international jewellery trade shows held in Hong Kong three times every year, the city offers many opportunities for trade, manufacturing and product development in the Asia Pacific. With a conveniently located regional training centre, overseas students spend approximately eight to twenty-six weeks in Hong Kong for on-campus training. More than 40 per cent of current full time and part time students are from overseas, including the Chinese mainland, Singapore, Philippines, India, Indonesia and Australia."

Founded in 1931, GIA's mission is to ensure the public trust and confidence by educating and serving the gem and jewellery industry worldwide. In the past 70 years, GIA has educated over 250,000 students in its gemology and jewellery manufacturing arts programs.

GIA Hong Kong was established in 1994 and is playing an increasingly important role in the jewellery industry. As interest in the jewellery sector grows, there are high demands for high-level and professional gemological education in the region.

Director general of InvestHK, Mike Rowse who was present at the opening ceremony of the new training centre said that "the strengthened presence of GIA will certainly solidify Hong Kong's position as the hub of professional services in Asia by raising and sustaining the standard of local practitioners."

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