The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) welcomes and supports the education initiatives introduced in the 2020 Policy Address by the Chief Executive earlier.
OUHK President Prof. Yuk-Shan Wong expressed appreciation for the Government's staunch support in education. In the past three years, the Government has invested over HK$13 billion in addressing the needs of the education sector as well as enhancing the development of quality education. Initiatives such as the Enhancement and Start-up Grant Scheme for Self-financing Post-secondary Education, the Matching Grant Schemes, increase of the number of subsidized places in undergraduate programmes under the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors, are conducive to the long term development of the self-financing institutions. OUHK has been committed to nurturing talents by offering professional programmes to meet society's needs, which is also consistent with the Government's goal.
OUHK also welcomes the plan in the Policy Address to launch a pilot project on applied degrees, which would help students to plan for their career development path. "Applied learning can help train new talent for industries in demand to meet the evolving needs and rapid changes of the market," Prof. Wong said.
In addition, the Policy Address proposed to support and assist universities in Hong Kong in their plans to provide education services in the Greater Bay Area. Other initiatives including the Greater Bay Area Youth Employment Scheme as well as the Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area will also encourage young people to pursue their career in the Greater Bay Area. Prof. Wong said the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is accorded the status of key strategic planning in the country's development blueprint. It will bring important opportunities to Hong Kong's future development, and provide more room for development and better prospects for the younger generation in Hong Kong.
OUHK believes that the various measures would be beneficial to the development of higher education. "Education is an investment in the future and concerted efforts are required. OUHK, as one of the institutions for nurturing talents, will continue to uphold its mission by providing quality education and make even greater contribution to Hong Kong," Prof. Wong said.
About the OUHK:
Established by the Government in 1989, The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) has developed into a full-fledged university providing high quality and flexible university education at various levels to secondary school graduates and working adults. As a dynamic and innovative university, the OUHK currently offers programmes of different academic levels to about 10,000 full-time students and 9,000 part-time students. Our mission is to advance learning, knowledge and research that meet students' learning aspirations and society’s talent needs, focusing on practical and professional programmes.
OOUHK comprises six Schools, i.e. School of Arts and Social Sciences, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, School of Education and Languages, School of Nursing and Health Studies, School of Science and Technology, and Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE). LiPACE provides lifelong learning opportunities by offering full-time sub-degree programmes, community learning and professional programmes. OUHK website: www.hkmu.edu.hk.