Introduction

The School of Continuing Education ( SCE ) of Hong Kong Baptist University was founded in 1975 and is one of the seven schools or faculties of the University. The educational objectives of the SCE are based on the notion "Learning is a lifelong process". The School has been providing people of all ages with ways and options for professional and academic advancement to meet the needs of the rapidly changing society.

The School responds to this increasing demand by offering quality education programmes. It has also designed a comprehensive study ladder which gives much flexibility to individuals to plan for their studies at their own pace and time. It includes short courses, Certificate and Diploma programmes, Undergraduate and Postgraduate programmes, as well as tailor-made in-house training courses for corporations and the government. Some of these courses have been included in the list of reimbursable courses for Continuing Education Fund purposes.

At present, there are around 6,600 full-time students and over 11,000 part-time students enrolled in programmes of different disciplines at various levels from certificates, diplomas, higher/professional diplomas and associate degrees, undergraduate and higher degrees. In addition to offering degree programmes awarded by Hong Kong Baptist University, the School has also provided various degree programmes collaboratively with different overseas institutions since 1985. Besides, more than 200 short courses are planned for each of the three terms in a year. Some short courses designed on a modular basis are grouped into various streams under the Certificate and Diploma programmes. All of these programmes are designed with various study modes incorporating lectures, tutorials, intensive seminars and group study, enabling learners to continuously upgrade their knowledge and professional skills.

In response to the HKSAR’s policy of widening access to tertiary education, the College of International Education was established in 2000 to offer the Associate Degree programme which provides an alternate route to furthering studies for secondary school-leavers. Together with the Associate Degree Foundation programme and Top-up Degree programme, the College has a full-time student enrolment over 5,500. In addition, to cope with the School’s early childhood education teacher training, the first university-affiliated kindergarten in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Baptist University Kindergarten, was established in 2000 which serves as a base for practice and research for our students.

To make education opportunities accessible to individuals living in different districts, the School holds classes at outlying centres in Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories in addition to the HKBU Kowloon Tong Campus Centre. Well-realizing the demand for space as a result of increases in enrolments and the types of programmes offered, the School has also built a 10-storey Madam Chan Wu Wan Kwai School of Continuing Education Tower on campus, and acquired a 48,000 sq. ft. office in Franki Centre, Kowloon Tong as its headquarters. In September 2006, the 300,000 sq. ft, $360 million HKBU Shek Mun (Shatin) Campus College of International Education was unveiled to provide additional full-time places, in addition to serving as a continuing education hub in the New Territories offering an extensive range of part-time short courses and award-bearing programmes for adult learners.