Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) today (21 March) received approval from the Education Bureau (EDB) to become Hong Kong's first University of Applied Sciences (UAS). The University welcomed the EDB's decision and pledged to play a pioneering role in enhancing recognition of vocational and professional education and training of UASs, in cooperation with the Government.
Addressing today's establishment ceremony of the first UAS, Secretary for Education Dr Choi Yuk-lin said the Chief Executive announced in the 2023 Policy Address that the Government will facilitate the establishment of UASs. The Education Bureau is pleased that the HKMU has met all criteria and become the first UAS in Hong Kong. She highlighted that the HKMU demonstrates its vision, commitment, capabilities and experience in providing high-level vocational and professional education and training (VPET) programmes that blend theory and practice, and having strong recognition and support from industries. It not only represents a milestone for the HKMU but also signifies the Government’s commitment to raising the status of VPET at the university degree level, providing young people with an alternative pathway to success.
HKMU submitted its application in February this year. In accordance with the procedure, the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) conducted an Institutional Review and confirmed that the University meets the requirements in terms of governance, management, quality assurance, learning environment and learner support, as well as industry collaboration and recognition. Taking into account the outcome of the Institutional Review and other relevant factors, the EDB approved HKMU as Hong Kong's first UAS.
“UASs have been successfully developed in many places around the world,” said HKMU Council Chairman Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung. “The establishment of the first UAS in Hong Kong will not only provide an alternative path to success for young people, but also promote Hong Kong as an international hub for post-secondary education.” He added that as the only self-financing university in Hong Kong granted self-accrediting status, HKMU has the flexibility to offer professional, high-quality programmes, including applied degree programmes, to meet the market's manpower needs. It also maintains close links with industry and the professions to provide students with ample training and internship opportunities.
The Government has set aside a HK$100 million start-up fund to support self-financing, post-secondary institutions in forming an Alliance of Universities in Applied Sciences. HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing said that the University would be pleased to spearhead the formation of the Alliance and engage in detailed discussions with the Government on optimising the use of resources. This will include initiating a series of publicity campaigns through the Alliance to enhance understanding of UASs and applied degree programmes among the public, especially students and parents; organising international conferences and inviting scholars and representatives from overseas UASs to Hong Kong to share their success stories; and enhancing exchanges and cooperation with well-developed UASs on the Mainland and overseas to further the development of UASs in Hong Kong. “HKMU welcomes and looks forward to more self-financing universities joining the Alliance to work together to enhance the status of vocational and professional education and training in society,” said Prof. Lam.
Upon becoming Hong Kong's first UAS, HKMU will immediately start related work by communicating closely with the technical professions, focusing on designing and offering more high-quality applied programmes that combine theory and practice, and incorporating substantial internship and work-based learning opportunities in the programmes to nurture talent with both applied skills and knowledge, thereby contributing to Hong Kong's development.
Fact sheet
Relevant website on UASs
