The Caritas Bianchi College of Careers (CBCC) will become a new academic school of Saint Francis University (SFU), the institute announced on Monday.
The move came after approval from the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.
Under the new arrangement, CBCC’s Design and General Education departments will retain their current structure. Plans are also underway to introduce a Bachelor’s degree in Design, pending approval from the Education Bureau.
Meanwhile, CBCC’s Business and Hospitality Management, Health Sciences, and Social Sciences departments will be transferred to corresponding facilities within SFU.
New students enrolling this September will receive graduation certificates awarded by SFU, while current students may choose to receive certificates from either institution.
According to reports, CBCC will operate as an academic unit alongside SFU’s existing faculties. SFU’s Provost, Professor Annie Bligh Sim-wan, has been appointed acting dean of the integrated unit.
Acting President of SFU, Professor Lo Tit-wing, emphasized that the move is not a response to declining admissions but rather the result of long-term collaboration and regulatory discussions.
Highlighting a 16 percent increase in enrollment at CBCC, Lo expressed confidence that the integration will foster further growth for the institution.
Lo also revealed plans to launch new courses in Religion and Ethics for the 2026/27 academic year.
Additionally, he affirmed the commitment to maintaining CBCC’s career-oriented focus, with intentions to expand program offerings under its administration.
Although the search for SFU’s next president has been ongoing for nearly a year, sources suggest that Professor Stephen Cheung Yan-leung, former president of the Education University of Hong Kong, is a leading candidate for the position.
(Phoebe Poon)
