The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) is inviting its staff, students and alumni as well as members of the public to submit nominations for a more appropriate title for the University to better reflect its current status as a full-fledged university as well as its focuses and strengths, and to facilitate its further development.
After 30 years of rapid development, OUHK has gone through remarkable changes. Originally set up as a distance education institution, the University has transformed into a full-fledged university offering programmes of different academic levels to around 10,000 full-time and 9,000 part-time students. Over the years, the University has responded dynamically to the development of Hong Kong by tailoring its applied and professional programmes to industry needs. Its signature programmes include Creative Arts, Testing and Certification, Nursing, Energy and Environmental Studies, Early Childhood Education, Physiotherapy, Psychology, Corporate Governance and Hospitality Management, and more.
Despite the transformation, many people still perceive OUHK as a distance education institution, partly because of the title of "Open University", which places the University in the generic category of universities established for offering open access education normally through distance delivery mode. This has generated various problems and challenges for the further development of the University. Discussion about the positioning and possible retitling of the University was always raised.
In 2019, the University decided to explore this important issue. A series of consultations with students, alumni, staff members and others were conducted in 2019 and early 2020. Views collected in the various consultations are mostly supportive of a change of the University title, and it is generally felt that the University needs a more appropriate title to better reflect its current status, focuses and strengths, and to facilitate its further development.
In this regard, a "Selection Committee on University Title" has been formed to oversee this matter. To help the OUHK proceed further, the Committee now sincerely invites all members of the OUHK community and the public to submit nominations for a new university title. Interested parties can put forward their suggestions via www.hkmu.edu.hk/retitling by 30 September 2020 (Wednesday).
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.
OUHK 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.
