Tung Wah closes in on university status

Ayra Wang

Tung Wah College is making progress toward becoming the next private university in Hong Kong and one that is focused on applied sciences, with its application expected to be submitted in the next academic year, its president, Sally Chan Wai-chi, said.

Chan confirmed yesterday that the college has completed accreditation for the third program area by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications, which required obtaining program accreditation in at least three areas to become a private university.

"We are confident of getting through the accreditation process and showcasing the value of applied degree programs through enhanced internships and employment pathways," she said, adding that the college is an affiliate member of the Alliance of Universities of Applied Sciences.

Chan also said the college - which has four campuses across the city - admitted 1,542 new students as of September, with full-time enrollment surging 33 percent year on year.

Applications for this year's admission reached 19,000 as of December through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System, up 11 percent.

Chan said radiography remains the college's most competitive program at 105 applicants per seat.

The college, which is under the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, also expanded its mainland student intake by fivefold to 258 this school year.

It has specialized in health sciences and applied disciplines such as applied psychology, medical science, radiography, nursing and health information and services management since its establishment in 2010.

Hong Kong currently has two universities of applied sciences - Hong Kong Metropolitan University and Saint Francis University.

Chan said the college will set up master's and doctoral programs to align with requirements for a private university, with initial programs focusing on health-care disciplines.

She also welcomed the administration's proposal to redefine "local students" for self-financing post-secondary institutions, noting that the current rule caps mainland students at 10 percent of its intake and said it seeks to raise the mainland student quota to 40 percent.