Dear Colleagues, Parents and Students,
Today is the 15th day of the Lunar New Year. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt wishes to all of you for good health and happiness!
Before the Lunar New Year, the Government announced the criteria for applying for a University of Applied Sciences (UAS) and extended invitations to eligible self-financing universities to apply. My colleagues and I at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) have been focusing on this “big project” – preparing HKMU to establish itself as Hong Kong's first UAS.
I was thrilled when I learnt about the Government's plans to establish UASs, as this concept is perfectly aligned with HKMU's education model. In fact, we are indeed already a UAS. Let me explain. Upon my appointment as President of HKMU three years ago, I set three major goals for the University: first, to provide quality education for our students; second, to assist our students in creating clear career paths; and third, to nurture our students to become good citizens.
HKMU offers professional programmes that track market trends and meet industry needs. Most of the programmes are applied in nature and are strongly connected to industry. We are confident that HKMU can be a “helping hand” to contribute to the development of UASs in Hong Kong.
So what exactly is a UAS? I have been repeatedly asked whether the University's name will have to be changed again if HKMU becomes a UAS. My response is no! UAS refers to a specific category of universities, not a single university. Like a “Liberal Arts University”, it is a category of higher education institutions.
The development of UASs has been a great success in European countries, such as Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands, where UASs have reached a mature stage of development and are widely recognised and respected. Some UASs are sizeable and are known not just for their science and engineering programmes, but also a wide range of programmes, including business, psychology and education, to nurture professionals equipped with practical industry knowledge to cater for current social and economic demand.
Compared with traditional universities, UASs maintain robust connections with industry. Prior to launching programmes and designing curricula, they frequently communicate with companies in various industries to gain insights into the specific requirements for graduates to succeed in their fields, such as required knowledge, capacity and qualifications. Sometimes, the UAS may invite industry insiders as guest speakers to share the latest industry trends, thereby providing valuable insights to students.
UASs also facilitate students' participation in internship programmes with relevant organisations to enhance their prospects for securing employment with these organisations after graduation. UASs also offer training to the staff of these organisations to maximise their work efficiency and competitiveness, while encouraging life-long learning.
The research conducted by UASs is intended to address practical issues faced by industry with less emphasis on basic research (known as “Blue Skies Research”). In essence, the fundamental principle behind the development of UASs is meeting “market needs” through close collaboration between the university and industry to nurture talent. All these aspects are aligned with the mission of HKMU.
In last year's Policy Address, the Chief Executive put forth a plan to develop UASs in Hong Kong, reflecting a strong determination to promote vocational and professional education. To ensure the success of the UAS strategy, it is crucial to shatter the prevailing stereotypes among the general public, especially parents, towards vocational and professional education. Some still consider vocational and professional education to be “solely for those who can't get admitted to university” and “an inferior choice”, whose goal is to train technicians.
In Europe, UASs are very popular alongside other universities. In these countries, many students decide to pursue their career ambitions by enrolling in a UAS during high school. The internship opportunities provided by the UASs ensure students keep abreast of the latest industry trends, thereby helping them secure employment in their desired industry after graduation. Additionally, some companies support their staff to pursue further education and obtain degree-level training at a UAS.
There is an old saying, “Every profession produces its own elite”. The development of the UAS system presents a golden opportunity for the education sector, parents, students and society to recognise its immense significance. By dedicating resources and effort to establishing UASs, we can greatly enhance the recognition of vocational and professional education and foster the nurturing of exceptional talent for Hong Kong.
I would like to emphasise that development of a UAS does not imply a lowering of admission requirements. In fact, many programmes offered by local universities have the same philosophy as UASs but lack a clear direction. The Government is currently taking the initiative to promote and allocate resources for the formation of an alliance among tertiary institutions in Hong Kong that are interested in becoming UASs. Establishing a sharper, well-defined development direction and collaborating with UAS institutions around the world to complement each other's strengths and weaknesses would be highly conducive to the development of UASs in Hong Kong.
In this regard, I strongly believe that HKMU can play a crucial role. As the most established self-financing institution in Hong Kong and the only one granted self-accrediting status, HKMU has demonstrated flexibility in offering programmes that cater for the evolving needs of society.
In fact, the Education Bureau selected HKMU's Bachelor of Applied Science in Integrated Testing, Inspection, and Certification and Bachelor of Sports and Recreation Management with Honours programmes for the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes. In the upcoming academic year, HKMU will introduce two exciting new bachelor programmes: the Bachelor of Arts with Honours in New Music and Interactive Entertainment and the Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and Quantity Surveying. This is in addition to our programmes in nursing and physiotherapy and the medical laboratory science programme rolled out this year. All of them are in line with the Government's intention to develop UASs. We are also actively engaging with our industry partners and exploring the introduction of more new programmes.
The curriculum design of HKMU emphasises practicality, enabling students to not only “think” but also “acquire hands-on skills”.
A common question asked by students is “What are the benefits of studying in a UAS compared with other universities?” Throughout my years of teaching, I have encountered numerous students who often struggle to find a clear sense of “direction” in their studies. This challenge arises at various stages, ranging from selecting subjects in senior secondary school to choosing a specific programme at university, and even determining a career path after graduation.
A UAS offers students a clear career path. Prior to commencing their studies, students should have some knowledge or interest in a specific subject area, enabling them to determine their desired industry and career direction upon graduation. They should be clear on what type of job they would like to pursue in their search for internships. Upon graduation, students should have a good understanding of their chosen profession, which may significantly increase their chances of securing a job, with less concern about their future prospects.
The new development of UASs presents both opportunities and challenges for the education sector. It requires not only the allocation of resources, but also collaborative efforts among institutions to promote the status of vocational and professional education. It's never easy to start. HKMU is ready to take the lead as a pioneer. We are committed to the University’s vision and mission to provide education of the highest quality and relevance, to promoting UASs, and to offering students alternative pathways for further studies and career development.
To conclude, I would like to wish you all again a prosperous Lunar New Year, good health and a joyful life!
Paul Lam Kwan-sing
24 February 2024
