Pioneer honors for HKMU

Metropolitan University has become the first university of applied sciences after fulfilling the criteria for qualification promulgated last month, the Education Bureau has revealed.

Secretary for Education Christine Choi Yuk-lin, speaking at the Ho Man Tin campus, joined the announcement of the milestone and said HKMU will provide professional education in many applied sciences such as engineering and technology.

"HKMU demonstrates its vision, commitment, capabilities and experience in providing high-level vocational and professional education and training programs that blend theory and practice, and with strong recognition and support from industries," Choi said.

The proposal of a university of applied sciences was first mentioned by Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu in October.

When an institution turns into a university of applied sciences, authorities offer financial assistance and programs are prioritized to be included in the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sector that can be enrolled through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System.

Rock Chen Chung-nin, chairman of the Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, said he hopes HKMU can lay a good foundation for students' occupational skills and help solve the manpower crunch in the labor market.

HKMU council chairman Conrad Wong Tin-cheung said the university will continue courses in accordance with market trends and industry demands to provide choices.

HKMU president Paul Lam Kwan-sing said the university has been discussing with different industries a design that integrates theories and hands-on experience.

"We have been discussing with some organizations on [launching programs of] physical education management as well as discussing how to train hotel industry workers and managing personnel," he said.

"We also hope to train pilots as Hong Kong is lacking this kind of talent. We may also consider aircraft engineering."

As mentioned in Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po's budget, officials have a start-up fund of HK$100 million to support self-financing tertiary institutions in forming an alliance of universities in applied sciences.

Lam added that HKMU is ready to take the initiative in promoting universities of applied sciences, saying: "As far as I know we already have the HK$100 million check.

"For some students, vocational and professional education [means] if they cannot get into some well-known subjects with a high admission score they will lower their sights to study more practical subjects. This mindset must change."

The bureau said there is no requirement in terms of the number or ratio of applied science courses offered by the university, and it has received applications from other self-financed institutes.

Founded by the government in 1989 as the Open Learning Institute it became the first self-financing university in 1997. Formerly called Open University, it was renamed Hong Kong Metropolitan University in 2021.

In the current academic year the university operates more than 140 self-financing post-secondary programs, with about 13,800 full-time and 6,200 part-time students in total. It has two applied degree programs.

As a university of applied sciences, HKMU will be subject to reviews and be required to submit an annual progress report.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com