Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) with Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC) of Construction Industry Council (CIC) today (6 December) to foster the academic exchange between the two institutions. The two parties will examine the feasibility of jointly developing a part-time Bachelor Degree programme.
The MOI was signed by HKMU Provost Prof. Reggie Kwan Ching-ping, and HKIC Director Ir Dr Francis Wong Kwan-wah, witnessed by HKMU President Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing and CIC Chairman Mr Chan Ka-kui.
In his remarks, Prof. Lam said, “HKMU is devoted to promoting the development and optimization of the building and construction industry. The University has been offering the Bachelor's degree programmes in Civil and Environmental Engineering as well as Building Services Engineering and Sustainable Development to help nurture the industry talents. Two brand new laboratories for civil and engineering and building services will also be opened within this month and early next year. As a self-finance university, we have demonstrated our determination in contributing to Hong Kong's engineering industry. The diversified learning mode offered by HKMU, combined with 45 years of training experience of Hong Kong Institute of Construction, this collaboration will surely provide students with flexible and independent learning models, and help them develop a prosperous career.”
In Mr Chan's speech, he mentioned during his re-appointment of Chairman of the CIC in 2016, he was determined to reform the training of workers, optimize the curriculum, and establish the Hong Kong Institute of Construction to integrate with the qualifications framework and Hong Kong's education system. “HKIC and HKMU share the same teaching philosophy, the first cohort graduates of HKIC revamped Advanced Diploma Programmes are provided with an opportunity to progress to the Bachelor Degree Programme of HKMU in September 2024. Also, the first cohort graduates of Professional Diploma in Construction for Specialist Trades programme are offered a route to enrol on a part-time HKMU Degree programme in September 2025. I believe our collaborations could facilitate ambitious construction workers with lower academic qualifications to continue learning and further contribute to the community as an architect.”
It is the first time that HKMU and HKIC mutually agree to co-organise part-time degree programmes, and both parties will explore the feasibility of articulating its Advanced Diploma graduates of HKIC to the Bachelor Degree programmes offered by the School of Sciences and Technology of HKMU. The two institutions will also consider to jointly develop a part-time Bachelor Degree programme for graduates of HKIC's Professional Diploma in Construction for Specialist Trades, and further opportunities of bilateral collaboration in experience and knowledge sharing will be explored.
About HKMU:
Established by the Government in 1989, Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) offers programmes of different academic levels through its seven Schools, focusing on developing practical and professional programmes to meet society's talent needs. With effect from 1 September 2021, the University has been retitled from “The Open University of Hong Kong” to “Hong Kong Metropolitan University”. The new title shows the unique position of the University in metropolitan Hong Kong and signifies the University's path of transformation and its strategic focuses.
For more details, please visit the HKMU website: www.hkmu.edu.hk
About the Hong Kong Institute of Construction:
To tie in with the changes and progress of the construction industry in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Institute of Construction (HKIC) was established in 2018. HKIC is an organisation member of the Construction Industry Council and provides a wide range of construction trainings (including full-time and part-time courses) for the young people and working adults who intend to develop their career in the construction industry, and the experienced construction practitioners, who pursue to enhance their skills and knowledge.
Please visit www.hkic.edu.hk for further details.
Jonathan handles all external affairs include business development, patents write up and public relations. He is frequently interviewed by media and is considered a pioneer in 3D printing products.
After graduating from OUHK, Krutz obtained an M.Sc. in Engineering Management from CityU. He is now completing his second master degree, M.Sc. in Biomedical Engineering, at CUHK. Krutz has a wide range of working experience. He has been with Siemens, VTech, and PCCW.
Hugo Leung Wai-yin, who graduated from his four-year programme in 2015, won the Best Paper Award for his ‘intelligent pill-dispenser’ design at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering’s International Conference on Consumer Electronics – China 2015.
The pill-dispenser alerts patients via sound and LED flashes to pre-set dosage and time intervals. Unlike units currently on the market, Hugo’s design connects to any mobile phone globally. In explaining how it works, he said: ‘There are three layers in the portable pillbox. The lowest level is a controller with various devices which can be connected to mobile phones in remote locations. Patients are alerted by a sound alarm and flashes. Should they fail to follow their prescribed regime, data can be sent via SMS to relatives and friends for follow up.’ The pill-dispenser has four medicine slots, plus a back-up with a LED alert, topped by a 500ml water bottle. It took Hugo three months of research and coding to complete his design, but he feels it was worth all his time and effort.
Hugo’s public examination results were disappointing and he was at a loss about his future before enrolling at the OUHK, which he now realizes was a major turning point in his life. He is grateful for the OUHK’s learning environment, its industry links and the positive guidance and encouragement from his teachers. The University is now exploring the commercial potential of his design with a pharmaceutical company. He hopes that this will benefit the elderly and chronically ill, as well as the society at large.
Soon after completing his studies, Hugo joined an automation technology company as an assistant engineer. He is responsible for the design and development of automation devices. The target is to minimize human labor and increase the quality of products. He is developing products which are used in various sections, including healthcare, manufacturing and consumer electronics.
| Course Code | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMP S321F | Advanced Database and Data Warehousing | 5 | |
| COMP S333F | Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms | 5 | |
| COMP S351F | Software Project Management | 5 | |
| COMP S362F | Concurrent and Network Programming | 5 | |
| COMP S363F | Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing | 5 | |
| COMP S382F | Data Mining and Analytics | 5 | |
| COMP S390F | Creative Programming for Games | 5 | |
| COMP S492F | Machine Learning | 5 | |
| ELEC S305F | Computer Networking | 5 | |
| ELEC S348F | IOT Security | 5 | |
| ELEC S371F | Digital Forensics | 5 | |
| ELEC S431F | Blockchain Technologies | 5 | |
| ELEC S425F | Computer and Network Security | 5 |
| Course Code | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELEC S201F | Basic Electronics | 5 | |
| IT S290F | Human Computer Interaction & User Experience Design | 5 | |
| STAT S251F | Statistical Data Analysis | 5 |
| Course Code | Title | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPS333F | Advanced Programming and AI Algorithms | 5 | |
| COMPS362F | Concurrent and Network Programming | 5 | |
| COMPS363F | Distributed Systems and Parallel Computing | 5 | |
| COMPS380F | Web Applications: Design and Development | 5 | |
| COMPS381F | Server-side Technologies and Cloud Computing | 5 | |
| COMPS382F | Data Mining and Analytics | 5 | |
| COMPS390F | Creative Programming for Games | 5 | |
| COMPS413F | Application Design and Development for Mobile Devices | 5 | |
| COMPS492F | Machine Learning | 5 | |
| ELECS305F | Computer Networking | 5 | |
| ELECS363F | Advanced Computer Design | 5 | |
| ELECS425F | Computer and Network Security | 5 |
