Message from the Dean

With the new “3, 3, 4” education system fully implemented, the 2012/13 academic year has been most challenging to all post-secondary education providers. In response to the HKSAR government’s policy to expand the post-secondary education sector and to provide diversified study opportunities for students coming from the last Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) and the first Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), the School and its College of International Education increased the full-time sub-degree places to cope with the demand. In addition, the School offers the first Yi Jin Diploma programme, an alternative route to achieve a secondary school qualification, for those who failed to attain Level 2 or above in 5 HKDSE courses.

To cater for additional students admitted in the “double cohort” year of 2012/13 (i.e. two groups of secondary school graduates seeking for post-secondary education) and to ensure that they are provided with consummate campus life for whole-person development, the School, in addition to recruiting more staff and revising the curricula, conducted a series of alterations, additions and improvement works on its Kowloon Tong and Shek Mun Campuses. As a result, more and better facilities (such as computer labs, learning commons, group discussion areas, English learning support services, self-service photocopying and printing facilities, student lockers, dance room and fitness room, etc) to support teaching and learning and enhance student services are in place. Furthermore, the opening hours of computer labs, learning commons, student canteens, libraries and sports facilities have been extended.

As a rising number of sub-degree graduates is expected in 2014/15 due to the “double cohort” effect, the School is planning to increase the number of self-funded top-up degree programmes and places in the coming two years for those who wish to continue their undergraduate studies in Hong Kong. On the other hand, the School has also renewed articulation agreements with a number of overseas partnered universities from Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand and Canada to accommodate the change of academic structure in Hong Kong. Under the agreement, Associate Degree graduates can apply for direct admission to the final two years of undergraduate studies at these universities of which some will offer scholarships to out-performing students. Besides offering full-time programmes, the School will continue to offer various part-time Diploma and Professional Diploma programmes for working adults under the new academic structure.

May I wish you a vibrant, wisdom-blooming year of 2013!

Simon C.H. Wong (Dr.)
Dean, School of Continuing Education
Hong Kong Baptist University