unlocking potential - Education Post

THE ANNUAL POSTGRADUATE GUIDE • DECEMBER 2014

UNLOCKING POTENTIAL

Admission in 2015 Knowledge Hub for Professionals A state-of-the-art university, City University of Hong Kong is committed to maintaining a dynamic learning environment for its students through its pioneering focus on discovery and innovation. Our determination to forge ahead and establish a unique identity has led to significant achievements in research and innovation across various fields, earning recognition from the higher education sector worldwide. The teaching, training and research experience of our team of international academics enables us to contribute significantly to the well-being and development of societies in Hong Kong and other parts of Asia by expanding the frontiers of knowledge.

Taught Postgraduate Programmes College of Business • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Executive MBA@ MA Global Business Management MA International Accounting MA Quantitative Analysis for Business MBA MSc Applied Economics MSc Business Information Systems MSc Electronic Business and Knowledge Management MSc Electronic Commerce* MSc Finance MSc Financial Engineering MSc Financial Services MSc Information Systems Management MSc Marketing MSc Operations and Supply Chain Management MSc Organizational Management MSc Professional Accounting and Corporate Governance

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

MA China Studies MA Chinese MA Communication and New Media MA English Studies MA Housing Studies MA Integrated Marketing Communication MA International Studies MA Language Studies MA Modern Asian Studies MA Public Policy and Management MA Urban Management Master of Social Work MFA Creative Writing MSocSc Applied Psychology MSocSc Applied Sociology MSocSc Counselling MSocSc Development Studies MSocSc Psychology of Education

College of Science and Engineering • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

MSc Advanced Technology and Management MSc Civil and Architectural Engineering MSc Computer Science MSc Construction Management MSc Electronic and Information Engineering MSc Electronic Commerce* MSc Engineering Management MSc Environmental Science and Technology MSc Materials Engineering and Nanotechnology MSc Mathematics for Finance and Actuarial Science ∆ MSc Multimedia Information Technology MSc Urban Design and Regional Planning Master of Architecture# PGC Construction Project Management/Real Estate Project Management PGC Environmental Science and Technology PGC Information Security

School of Creative Media • MA Creative Media • MFA Creative Media

School of Energy and Environment • MSc Energy and Environment

School of Law • Juris Doctor • Master of Laws • Master of Laws in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution • Postgraduate Certificate in Laws

Professional Doctorate Programmes College of Business • Doctor of Business Administration

College of Science and Engineering • Engineering Doctorate (Engineering Management)

School of Law • Doctor of Juridical Science @ Including two programmes taught in English and

Putonghua respectively # Subject to approval by the University

* Cross-department programmes ∆ Jointly offered by City University of Hong Kong and Université

Paris-Dauphine

Application Period: 17 November 2014 – 28 February/31 March/ 30 April 2015 (for most programmes) Online application: www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs Online enquiry form: www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs/enquiry Telephone: 3442-5588 (for taught postgraduate programmes) 3442-9076 (for professional doctorate programmes)

Contents SECTION ONE

SECTION TWO

5 BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

43 HUMANITY, SOCIAL SCIENCES & ENGINEERING

6 EMBA & DBA

44 Art & Culture

14 MBA & Executive

50 Education

Leading to the boardroom Increasing focus on Asia

30 Accounting & Finance In step with the times

38 Hospitality

Offering a better service

p14

Beyond the local context Meeting challenges

54 Law

Honing legal minds

58 Engineering

Anticipating change

Cover: iStockphoto

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION · THE ANNUAL POSTGRADUATE GUIDE 2014

EDITORIAL Editor Ginn Fung Community Editor Daisy Fung Commissioning Editor Andrea Zavadszky Freelance Sub-editors Liz Heron, Carmen Tao Designers Kevin Ho, Gary Ip, Candy Lai, Jack Yip ADVERTISING Sales Manager Dickson Fong (852) 2680 8378 [email protected] Account Manager Stella Chung (852) 2680 8377 [email protected] Account Manager Venus Ng (852) 2680 8682 [email protected] CONTACT US Editorial [email protected] Advertising [email protected] Reprint [email protected]

Professional Education is published by South China Morning Post Publishers Limited, Morning Post Centre, 22 Dai Fat Street, Tai Po Industrial Estate, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong, Tel: 2680 8888. Printed by Magnum (Offset) Printing Co. Ltd., 11B, E Tat Factory Building, 4 Heung Yip Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong, Tel: 2555 2438. It is copyright SCMPPL and published on December 12, 2014.

The Annual Postgraduate Guide · December 2014 3

Contents PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION · THE ANNUAL POSTGRADUATE GUIDE 2014

SECTION THREE

61 CAREER TIPS 62 Engineering and technology 63 Art, creativity and culture 64 Management and finance DATA FACTSHEETS 11 13 19 21 23 25 27

EMBA-Global Asia Kellogg-HKUST EMBA CUHK MBA CityU MBA MGSM MBA UNSW AGSM MBA PolyU MBA

p50

4 Professional Education

29 33 35 37 41 47 49 53 57

HKUST Executive Education CUHK MGPE LN PGDA MACC HKUST MScIM MScFA PolyU SHTM HKAPA CUHK Dept of Anthropology HKIEd PGDE CUHK Faculty of Law

p8

65 INDEX

p16

SECTION ONE

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICES


EMBA & DBA

Leading to the boardroom

Photo: iStockphoto

EMBAs have become more internationalised with a focus on technology, writes John Cremer

T

he relentless pace of change in business means that executives near the top of their organisations – or aiming to get there – increasingly realise that to perform effectively they can’t simply rely on industry knowledge, accumulated experience and well-honed instincts. They also need the more formalised learning and alternative perspectives gained from going “back to school” to take an advanced business degree, with curriculum and content specifically designed to give them a sharper competitive edge. This


comes from study of all the latest practices in areas like finance, marketing, strategy and organisational structure. Just as important, though, is the chance to get up-to-date on how technology and forces like globalisation and social media are fundamentally rewriting some of the rules of the game and creating a new landscape for innovation, “intrapreneurship” and approaches to corporate leadership. “Globalisation is a major reason for the fast pace of change,” says Silvia McCallisterCastillo, programme director for the EMBA Global and Sloan programmes at London

Business School (LBS). “Nowadays, companies can have people working around the world 24 hours a day, which is incredible, but it also means that managers must be able to work with people across different countries and cultures.” Focusing on what is offered by the EMBAGlobal Asia programme, which LBS runs in partnership with The University of Hong Kong and New York’s Columbia Business School (CBS), McCallister-Castillo notes the importance of ensuring “optimum learning impact”. Therefore, students are given exposure to various markets and cultures,

with a class week in Shanghai and a wide choice of electives and assignments which can introduce them to business practices in three major financial hubs, as well as cities like Dubai, Munich, Buenos Aires, Cape Town and Beijing. “Students learn how to adapt and apply theory to their everyday work and can bring challenges and lessons from work to share with their classmates,” she says. “In addition, professors are all at the cutting edge of research and run their classes in a way that maximises peer-to-peer learning, which really boosts students’ exposure to different ways of doing business.” Though tough at the time, one valuable lesson in dealing with change comes from having to juggle work, class, group projects, travel and personal commitments during the programme. In itself, this teaches the need to be agile and adaptable in terms of priorities, time management and collaborating with others. It also helps to build resilience, efficiency and ingenuity when faced with ever changing situations. “By the end of the programme, our students have learned how to work in self-managed groups of very different personalities and contrasting life experiences under tight deadlines,” McCallister-Castillo says. “And by mixing with people from different functional areas, they are introduced to new ideas and viewpoints on how companies can be structured.”

Recognising the ongoing impact of technology, the programme offers electives on IT and social media. Naturally, the pros and cons of various aspects of the high-tech revolution also come up in other classes, particularly where there is a direct link to marketing, investment, retooling or business models required for sustained profitability. This extends to how students now use technology and social media to deal with the challenges of working in groups when the individuals involved are spread around the world. For instance, the LBS programme office has a WhatsApp group with the students to send updates and reminders about deadlines. Some groups use Google Hangout for virtual meetings, others prefer Skype, and some students in the west are using WeChat, even though it is still not so popular outside Asia. “Such contact means students can learn about the uses and effectiveness of different forms of technology much earlier than their peers and co-workers,” McCallister-Castillo says. “In ways like this, innovation and creativity permeate the curriculum, whether a class is about marketing, operations or organisational behaviour.” Furthermore, entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs – executives charged with finding new revenue streams for their current employers – have access to a portfolio of electives explaining start-ups. Both LBS and CBS have “incubators” and mentorship

“

Innovation and creativity permeate the curriculum, whether a class is about marketing, operations or organisational behaviour

”

- Silvia McCallister-Castillo

Professor Christopher Doran


EMBA & DBA programmes which help in connecting with potential investors and people who have previously trodden a similar path. And the LBS careers management team is now well versed in supporting students who express an interest in starting their own business and making a real go of it. “More than ever, executives and leaders need to have a holistic view of how a firm works and to realise that innovation is crucial to long-term survival,” McCallister-Castillo says. “But it doesn’t happen in a vacuum, so our programme provides the big picture view with electives in trade regulation, corporate taxation and socio-political influences on the global economy along with the platform for students to explore better ways to get things done in their own companies.” For Professor Christopher Doran, academic director of the Kellogg-HKUST executive MBA, the key to addressing the fast pace of change is up-to-date case studies. Besides that, those responsible for continuous improvement of the curriculum frequently ask businesses “What do your C-level executives need to know?” And to cover hot topics which students need to understand, but which are not weighty enough to justify a full course, there is a regular series of “enrichment talks” delivered

Professor Muammer Ozer

Silvia McCallister-Castillo

by cutting edge industry practitioners. “Overall, we help our students most by giving them breadth and, with that, comes flexibility of thinking,” Doran says. “You cannot be flexible and lead change, if all you know is one function, one industry, or one culture.” A decade ago, digital technology was regarded in isolation and as the province of the IT experts, he says. Now, though, it is all-pervasive, a key aspect of every function in every industry. Therefore, it appears across the entire curriculum, especially in discussions on operations, finance, change strategies, and the place of social media in an integrated marketing mix. “In business, most innovation comes from cross-fertilisation, ideas from one industry applied to another and different functions working together,” Doran says. “But people also need the confidence to act on their ideas. We believe our graduates get that confidence from knowing they are worldclass and from having a network of friends they can turn to whenever they need help.” Doran notes that EMBA experience should “turbo-charge” any executive career, providing the toolkit needed to adapt to and exploit the opportunities of change better than competitors.

“

One of our strengths here is having close to 200 faculty members who can act as supervisors

- Professor Wilson Tong


”

“

The accelerating pace of change in the business environment means that companies have to adapt faster

”

- Professor Christopher Doran

“The accelerating pace of change in the business environment means that companies have to adapt faster,” he says. “But, in practice, organisations can’t change fast [unless their leaders are ahead of the curve].” As programme director of the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) at City University (CityU), Professor Muammer Ozer is similarly concerned with the issues of helping top executives maximise their abilities and those of their teams. In his case, this is done more by supporting the research efforts of faculty members and DBA students and applying the lessons learned. “We emphasise critical thinking in our programme and train our students to consider the multiple dimensions of a problem,” Ozer says. “Equipped with such skills, they will know how to address pressing business matters, whether related to change, innovation, international expansion, or anything else.” A big feature is the chance to take certain courses at the University of California, Berkeley, and to visit prominent companies in Silicon Valley and others like Intel and Google, well known for innovation. Another is the opportunity to pick from a wide range of electives offered by different faculties across the university.

“Our curriculum is designed to provide the necessary research skills to study and solve important business problems, including leadership and structural issues,” Ozer says. “The participants are themselves prominent industry leaders, but there is [always room to learn].” At Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Professor Wilson Tong, programme director for the DBA and the DMgt (doctor of management), which is only offered in mainland China, also sees the value of an interdisciplinary approach. Typically, students start with eight core taught subjects to bring them up to scratch in the disciplines like finance, accounting, marketing and information systems. But they are also expected to put forward a proposal – usually one related to developments in their own company – which will form the basis of their subsequent research and thesis. “The first part of the programme helps executives to organise what they know and gives them a good theoretical framework for their later research,” Tong says. “They can choose their own topic, but one of our strengths here is having close to 200 faculty members who can act as supervisors, with different specialisations in areas like marketing, management, shipping, logistics

and economics.” DBA candidates generally take between three and six years to complete, depending on the demands of their full-time jobs, and they should have a master’s degree and significant management-level experience before applying. Logically, most have a business background, but PolyU is also ready to admit suitable candidates from, say, educational institutions, engineering or the non-profit sector. “For the DBA, we follow the US system, with a good balance between teaching, electives, workshops and research,” Tong says. “To identify problems and issues seen in their own business environment, but also to illustrate some general principles.” The aim is also to look for interesting thesis topics, where the end results will potentially be publishable in an academic journal. However, as Tong notes, that is often another story. “The typical thesis is relatively long and comprehensive, but it may be possible to convert it into a shorter research paper,” he says. “With the various rounds of the review process, that can sometimes take two to three years.”


DATA FACTSHEETS

Columbia Business School, London Business School and The University of Hong Kong EMBA-GLOBAL ASIA

Contact: EMBA-Global Asia Programme Office HKU Business School The University of Hong Kong Room 104, Block B, Cyberport 4, 100 Cyberport Road, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3962 1262 Email: [email protected] www.emba-global.com/asia

Programme Summary The programme was designed specifically for globally-focused executives and managers who seek to deepen their understanding of both Western and Eastern business perspectives and who are passionate about the opportunities offered by Asia’s rapid economic development. EMBA-Global Asia provides a collaborative learning environment in which a diverse group of executives debate theories, discuss cases and share experiences. The curriculum is comprehensive and demanding. The timetable enables highly-focused learning, minimising time spent away from the office and ensuring optimum learning impact. EMBA-Global Asia is internationally recognized as one of the world’s top Executive MBA programmes. Organised into five modules, where students take courses one week per month, the programme can be completed in 16-20 months. The first three modules build core business skills and the final two modules are completed with electives that students may choose to take at any of the three partner schools. Renowned faculty from three of the world’s top business schools combine to operate at the intersection between theory and practice, conducting cutting-edge research that has a real-world impact on the understanding and practice of international business today. Faculty members travel with the students to teach in London, New York, Hong Kong and Shanghai. Frequent guest speakers, cases studies and corporate visits enhance classroom learning.

Accreditation AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA

Language of Instruction English

Programme Schedule Core courses are taught in intensive four or five-day blocks primarily delivered in Hong Kong. There are two class weeks in London, two in New York, and one in Shanghai.

Programme Fee HK$ 1,202,760 / US$ 154,200

Mode of Delivery Part-time Duration of Programme 16 - 20 months


DATA FACTSHEETS

Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA Program

Contact: Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA Program HKUST Business School Lee Shau Kee Business Building Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2358 4180 Email: [email protected] www.emba.ust.hk

Programme Summary Ranked No. 1 in the world for 6 times in the past 8 years by the Financial Times, the Kellogg-HKUST Executive Master in Business Administration Program is a world class, 18-month part-time program that capitalizes on the strengths of the Kellogg School of Management and the HKUST Business School. Participants not only learn from top-notch faculty but also from a student body with extremely diverse backgrounds, industries, and nationalities. The program creates a unique and truly exceptional environment, in which top-notch professors from the world’s leading business schools share their insights with an elite group of executive participants. The outcome is inevitably a fusion of energy, brilliance, and determination that can carry today’s top business executives to new levels of leadership and influence. Each year, our seven strategic global locations become home to students who have already proven themselves in their chosen fields of business endeavors. Typically, these participants are looking to be challenged further, and to interact with like-minded individuals from around the globe who share their business ambitions and their appetite for success.

Accreditation The HKUST Business School was the first business school in the region to have been awarded accreditation by both the US-based Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) and the Europe-based European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). Ranking No. 1 in the world for 6 times in the past 8 years No. 1 in Asia Pacific (2014) No. 2 EMBA program in the world (2014) (Source: 2007 – 2014 EMBA Survey by the Financial Times)

Mode of Delivery Part-time Duration of Programme 18 months Language of Instruction English Programme Fee HK$ 1,205,000 / US$ 155,000 for 2015 intake (Please check our website for update on the tuition fee for the 2016 intake)

Programme Schedule The program starts with one live-in week at HKUST, followed by 10 monthly modules. Each module has 2 consecutive weekends (from Friday afternoons to Sundays). In the course, participants have to take 2 consecutive live-in weeks at the Kellogg campus and a oneweek global elective at one of our sister campuses. The Annual Postgraduate Guide · December 2014 13

MBA & EXECUTIVE

Increasing focus on Asia

Photo: iStockphoto

Overseas exchange programmes have become the trend, writes Andrea Zavadszky

T

he effects of globalisation have created new challenges for institutions offering MBA programmes in Hong Kong, with course content having to meet the needs of a diverse student body and provide insights into evolving management practices in different parts of the world. Each curriculum has to satisfy a growing interest in the economies and industries of Asia in general and China in particular. And individual modules must be updated at regular intervals to include the latest case studies and teaching materials, while


also encouraging the involvement of alumni and experienced members of the business community as invited speakers and guest lecturers. When The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Business School launched the first MBA in Asia in 1966, it was very much “a US-centric, one-country thing”, says Lawrence Chan, the school’s administrative director of marketing and student recruiting for MBA programmes. “[Since then] Hong Kong has become a very global city. Our students now come from 23 different countries and are likely to build their

futures here for the next 10 to 15 years, or more. Moving from west to east has become a trend.” Every year, Chan notes, the programme accepts 80 to 90 full-time students, with those from overseas adding a unique aspect to each class. Applicants are interested in learning more about Asia, and while much of the core teaching materials is still based on western theories, the class discussions, presentations and group projects give students the opportunity to debate alternative approaches which can be equally successful, if not more so.

“

Moving from west to east has become a trend

”

- Lawrence Chan

In recent years, graduates have gone on to the next stage of their careers everywhere from Shanghai, Singapore and Bangkok to Bangalore, London and Silicon Valley. It helps too that the school has more than 28,000 alumni located all over the world, with chapters in Hong Kong and Canada. In response to the need for global perspectives, there has been a concerted effort to develop more overseas exchange programmes and double degrees with partner institutions including MIT Sloan, Cambridge and HEC Paris. Students can now spend a semester in countries like France, Japan and India or sign up for overseas internships to get international work experience, which can prove invaluable. “These opportunities give students an understanding of different cultural dynamics, which is in line with the requirements of top recruiters,” Chan says. In turn, Dr Lars Groeger, lecturer in management and marketing at Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) highlights the importance of diversity in teaching, as well as in management and leadership in the workplace. As a result, the MBA course which MGSM offers locally through the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA) admits a diverse intake ready to share varying perceptions and viewpoints in the

Lawrence Chan

classroom. This gives each person the chance to reassess their own assumptions and provides new ideas on approaching problems in innovative ways. “Balancing diversity across nationalities, experiences, job roles and educational backgrounds really makes for an exciting class experience,” Groeger says. “By turning differences into learning opportunities, students broaden their horizons and strengthen their leadership capabilities.” Dr Steve Segal, senior lecturer in management at MGSM underlines that creating this diversity is not a matter of “political correctness”, but a key factor in achieving innovation and growth for any company. Globalisation means that managers everywhere must be open to different outlooks and working practices. Therefore, the core content of MBA programmes should support this by obliging students to understand what happens elsewhere and making them comfortable with different ways of getting things done. However, Segal warns, this is just one aspect of developing a global mindset. Most education conditions us for standard answers and stability, but in business it is essential to be prepared for the likelihood of fast change and unexpected circumstances. “As Machiavelli suggested in the 15th century, we now need an education that

Dr Steve Segal

encourages us to see that the future will be unlike the past. Leaders and managers must be ready to seize the unexpected fortunes of the ‘winds of change’,” Segal says. While the MGSM programme has a distinct module which examines and develops a global mindset, this outlook also underpins all the main courses. The aim is to give students the all-round skills to adapt easily to different countries, companies and business situations. A process of “participant observation” which draws on anthropology and empathy for other cultures is used to help students learn from their differences. “When they go on international assignments, we encourage students to learn [and practice] the theory, method and techniques behind participant observation,” Segal says. “Having a multi-national classroom enables this process.” Since the financial tsunami, the issue of ethical leadership has also come into sharper focus, with many voices suggesting that the subject of ethics should get more attention in business education. In this respect, the MBA offered by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) Faculty of Business strongly emphasises the importance of ethical thinking in both its mission statement and intended “learning outcomes”. Ethics is a compulsory core subject, and students are expected to


MBA & EXECUTIVE

Professor Mak Wai-ming

identify and resolve related issues in areas of general management and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The programme emphasises business management in the local context, while giving a firm foundation on developments elsewhere in Asia and the necessary global outlook. “The focus starts with Hong Kong,” says Mak Wai-ming, MBA programme director and assistant professor in PolyU’s Faculty of Business. “Students want to learn about this part of the world, where east meets west.” Courses deal with leadership and change management in the Asian context, focusing on how to recognise, initiate and manage change. They also show where Asia now fits in world markets and where the new challenges may come from. “Globalisation is the way to go,” Mak says. “It is very useful that students have different backgrounds. This year, we have students from Brazil, Germany, Lebanon, India and Japan. It is a good mixture and really makes a big difference in teaching.” Such cultural diversity can be a particular


benefit for part-time students whose work commitment may prevent them going on a one-term exchange. They should, though, be able to do one of the five- to six-day field study tours organised every year to countries like Italy and Israel. These tours offer the chance to visit cutting-edge companies and network with alumni who are also invited to take part. It is one of the ways in which PolyU looks to integrate theory and practice, while introducing the kind of experience which can be easily applied in other real-life situations. “PolyU is famous for applicationoriented teaching,” Mak says. “We want our students to be leaders in the area of ‘practical wisdom’.” At the City University of Hong Kong (CityU) College of Business, the importance of cultural diversity is also seen as a strategically significant aspect of the MBA programme. Aware of what the market requires, the programme attracts an international student body and encourages interactive classroom debate on case studies and complex problems.

Professor Kevin Chiang

Dr Lars Groeger

“The real dynamic comes from students with their unique backgrounds and different nationalities and work experience,” says Professor Kevin Chiang, MBA programme director for CityU’s College of Business. “We consider this as one of the strengths of the programme, providing a truly unique chance to exchange knowledge, which would not be possible in a standard classroom environment.” There is also a special speaker series, entitled MBA Executive Discovery and Network, in which prominent local business figures, such as Executive Council member Bernard Chan and Dr Norman Leung, executive chairman of TVB, set out their views on topics of current interest. In addition, in the “professional forum” course, selected speakers talk about the practical aspects of doing business in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region based on their own long experience in the field. Another exciting component of CityU’s MBA is the 10-day diagnostic residential trip. This year, it saw 52 students from

EXECUTIVE

Reaching the top Hong Kong and another seven from Indiana University flying to China to visit a pharmaceutical company and do in-depth research there. The aim is to come up with viable suggestions to improve various aspects of the management and production processes. There is also the option of taking a summer programme at the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. And, advances in technology have opened the door to working in “virtual” teams with people in other parts of the world. “The implications of successful virtual teams are tremendous,” Chiang says. “They could fundamentally reduce overall operating costs and make it possible to build more dynamic teams with people from anywhere in the world. With the required skill sets, business executives can collaborate and, in effect, work around the clock in different regions. Our MBA students learn these new skill sets by forming virtual teams to work on projects in different courses.” However, managing such teams entails more than knowing how to use the appropriate technology and web-based communication tools. It is also essential to have sensitivity for differences in culture, educational and economic backgrounds, and varying approaches to the task in hand. Otherwise, when problems surface, it can be difficult to identify the reasons if working at a distance or in another time zone. Forming a cohesive global team and then building another team for the next project takes excellent EQ and management skills. MBA programmes will have to keep evolving to develop the relevant skills and to give students the know-how to manage effectively in a world where change is constant.”

W

hatever their natural aptitude and professional qualifications, executives with an eye on boardroom roles must learn how to lead effectively. Besides having the industry know-how and strategic vision, that also entails the personal authority and people skills to direct, motivate and inspire winning teams. To that end, HKUST Business School offers a series of consortium programmes specifically designed to develop leadership abilities and create the mindset essential for those aiming to reach the top. The programmes usually contain three or four modules and are taught within a fairly condensed period. Course content draws on the school’s extensive experience of offering highly-rated business degrees with a view to giving cutting-edge insights, broader perspectives, and the knowledge to benchmark against best international practice. “The purpose is to help leaders unleash their full potential,” says professor Xu Yan, associate dean of HKUST Business School. “The programmes are also a golden opportunity to share experiences and exchange ideas with fellow participants from respected companies.” The five-day “High Potentials Leadership” is intended for high flyers and concentrates on the skills and execution needed for better decision making, effective communication, and improving team performance. The 10-day “Leading for Success” is designed for more senior executives and entrepreneurs, typically with 10-plus years in the workplace, who want a deeper understanding of topics like change management, marketing and people management. Participants are generally nominated and sponsored by their employers. “We work closely with HR professionals and senior executives to address the different learning needs,” Xu says. The school also pays close attention to feedback and is committed to reviewing and

updating course elements every year. One outcome is that numerous big-name companies including the likes of Citic Pacific, Merck, Lenovo and Tencent have become invaluable “learning partners” by specifying what their executives need in terms of talent development and for longterm succession planning. “Companies need effective leadership to stay competitive and effectively implement change. For that, more than ever before, you need people who can make quality decisions, which will make it possible to maximise productivity, reach organisational goals, and create a positive culture,” Xu says. Since it began in 2007, the “Leading for Success” programme alone has attracted participants from more than 100 companies from across the whole spectrum of industries. The feedback is consistently positive, employing adjectives like inspiring and rewarding. John Cremer

Professor Xu Yan


DATA FACTSHEETS

CUHK Business School The Chinese University of Hong Kong CUHK MBA PROGRAMS

Contact: Lawrence Chan 14/F Cheung Yu Tung Building 12 Chak Cheung Street Shatin, NT, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3943 7782 Fax: (852) 2603 6289 Email: [email protected] www.mba.cuhk.edu.hk

Programme Summary Through our unique learning environment we help form tomorrow’s enlightened, global business leaders. From our home in Hong Kong, a gateway from Asia to the world, we impart a dynamic harmony of Chinese perspectives and global practices. 4. Pioneering Entrepreneurship Track 1. Longest Established MBA Program in Asia As the 1st MBA program in Hong Kong with an entrepreneurship Since 1966, the CUHK MBA has nurtured almost 6,000 alumni, concentration, we offer a range of courses that focusing on responding to demand with a part-time program launched in 1977 venture capital investment and startups. and an EMBA program in 1993. 5. Strong Global and Regional Connections 2. Truly Diverse Class Profile Our leading role in business education is well represented by From more than 20 nationalities and a host of industry backgrounds, partnership programs in the world and over 1,000 alumni working our students are international business professionals who provide in China. Each year 80-85% of our graduates are placed in Asia. distinct perspectives that enrich in-class interactions. 6. Specialized Career Coaching 3. International Exposure Our Career Management Center provides specially designed career We offer students truly international learning experience including development and professional coaching for working professionals. exchange opportunities and study tours around the globe.

Accreditation AACSB


Programme Schedule One intake per year starting in September. Each academic year is divided into 4 terms. Students spend the first half of program duration on core courses, followed by a wide range of elective courses in the second half.

Programme Fee Full-time: HKD 499,500 Part-time: HKD 333,660

Mode of Delivery Full-time or Part-time Duration of Programme Full-time: 12 or 16 months Part-time: 24 months


DATA FACTSHEETS

College of Business City University of Hong Kong CITYU MBA

Contact: MBA Office College of Business, 12-200 Academic 3, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3442 5909 Fax: (852) 3442 0151 Email: [email protected] http://www.cb.cityu.edu.hk/mba

Programme Summary CityU MBA is an elite and high profile programme offered by the College of Business at City University of Hong Kong. The MBA programme is determined to be business oriented and focused on management and leadership skills needed to succeed in the ever-changing business world. The specially designed curriculum comprises 9 core courses and a wide range of electives courses in business disciplines. A concentration curriculum in the areas of Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Supply Chain Management and Information Management is also available for students who wish to tailor the programme to focus on particular field of interest. With the continuation of excellent quality cohort, the programme is expected to contribute significant impact on corporate leadership in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region.

Accreditation AACSB and EQUIS. Programme Schedule General Curriculum: Students are required to complete a total of 40 credits including 26 credits of compulsory courses and 14 credits of general elective courses. Concentration Curriculum: Students are required to complete a total of 50 credits including 26 credits of compulsory courses, 9 credits of general elective courses and 15 credits of courses from one chosen concentration area. Mode of Delivery Full-time and Part-time

Ranking The College of Business at the City University of Hong Kong is ranked 46th and 2nd in Asia in the latest UT Dallas Rankings, based on our research contributions from 2009-2013. The City University of Hong Kong is ranked 4th under the QS Top 50 under 50 Rankings in 2014. Language of Instruction English Programme Fee Local: HK$6,410 per credit Non-local: HK$7,430 per credit

Duration of Programme Full-time: 12 - 18 months Part-time: 24 - 36 months


DATA FACTSHEETS

Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Sydney MBA, MGSM, SYDNEY

Contact: Carol Wong / Mani Ng 16/F, Tower B, Southmark 11 Yip Hing Street Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2774 8585 (Carol Wong) / (852) 2774 8534 (Mani Ng) Fax: (852) 2365 1000 Email: [email protected] / [email protected] www.hkma.org.hk/mgsm

Programme Summary MGSM has been a leading provider of postgraduate education for more than 40 years and has been in Hong Kong continuously since 1994. It has an international reputation for excellence in management education and is consistently ranked in the top tier of business schools worldwide. The MGSM MBA transforms managers and professionals to leaders with a global mindset. MGSM’s students, originating from over 35 different countries, are mature professionals who bring with them a wealth of experience, knowledge and diversity. Flexible Format and World Class Faculty MGSM offers students a highly interactive, flexible and rigorous learning experience. The building block aspect of MGSM’s postgraduate programs allows students to select the point at which to commence study that best suits their individual needs, and the flexibility helps them manage their work/life balance. The programs are offered in Hong Kong and Sydney, and are taught in person by MGSM world class faculty, many of whom have extensive experience in business at a senior level in addition to possessing stellar academic credentials. Powerful Networking MGSM hosts regular business networking events in Hong Kong. They allow students and alumni to meet outside the classroom and share ideas and experiences that are relevant to both their learning and professional environments. In addition, it introduced the Dean’s Awards in 2006 to recognize outstanding students. Students become eligible for a Dean’s award by scoring the highest grade in a particular subject unit. The awards are usually conferred on students during networking functions. Accreditation AACSB Accredited – fewer than 5% of business schools have earned this distinguished hallmark of excellence in management education Programme Schedule The content is delivered in block format with 40 contact hours for each module. The classes are scheduled on Friday nights (6pm to 10pm), Saturdays (2pm to 10pm) and Sundays (9am to 5pm). Mode of Delivery Part-time Duration of Programme 2.5 years

Rankings • Top 50 Global MBA • #1 Australian MBA Program taught in Hong Kong • #2 globally for ‘post MBA salary’ and #3 globally for ‘increase in salary’ Above rankings: The Economist 2014 Language of Instruction English Programme Fee HK$301,120


Sponsored Feature

AGSM makes push for constant improvement

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rofessor Julie Cogin is very excited about the role she took up earlier this year as director of the Australian Graduate School of Management (AGSM) at the UNSW Business School in Sydney. “We are really proud of the fact we have produced more CEOs than any other Australian university and the most entrepreneurs,” says Cogin, who began her career with AGSM as a junior academic in 1999 and has been with the university ever since. “We also hold the top Financial Times ranking for an Australian MBA programme.” However, Cogin is keen that the school doesn’t rest on its laurels and, in that respect, she has innovative plans and goals. Already, longstanding MBA, EMBA, and MBT degrees and executive education programmes are taught across Australia, in Hong Kong and online. But one aim is to build even more flexibility into the delivery modes and make the learning experience even less tied to books, location and schedule. Professor Julie Cogin, “Part of my vision is the digitalisation of the Director of The Australian curriculum into a much more interactive Graduate School of Management experience and we are rolling that out in January,” she says. “The next step will be going to a digitalised assessment and exam. The days of sitting University in Shanghai and Wharton School of Business in down and doing a two- or three-hour exam are gone. This the United States as examples. “Student exchanges are just push goes hand-in-hand with our outstanding social learning one part - there are so many others. If we take the Wharton experiences and connection with industry.” partnership, it is also about the exchange of academic staff and content. With Fudan, it is about developing a joint degree.” Cogin also intends to improve and extend the engagement with AGSM alumni and make this even more of a two-way Even though the school has risen to new heights in various street. “For example, it is our plan that, in the near future, the ranking lists, Cogin is committed to working towards further digital materials will be made available to all of our alumni, improvements by building on elements like popular courses in so they can connect with us and continue their education entrepreneurship and innovation and a deliberate policy of diversity. journey,” she says. “We spend a lot of time making sure that we have the right With AGSM taking pride in its global outlook, Cogin also wants balance among our students,” she says. “In our full-time MBA to strengthen and develop international links. cohort, we have a certain number of students from Asia, from Europe, from the US, from Australia. But the diversity goes “We are becoming a lot more active in seeking partnerships beyond cultural differences to look at industry experience and with other business schools,” she says, citing ties with Fudan background as well.”

DATA FACTSHEETS

University of New South Wales Business School AGSM MBA HONG KONG PROGRAM

Contact: AGSM Hong Kong Office Unit 2006, 20/F, Kinwick Centre 32 Hollywood Road Central, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2841 2800 Fax: (852) 2588 1724 Email: [email protected] www.agsm.edu.au/hk

Programme Summary AGSM MBA Programs have more than 35 years of history of leadership in Australia and are recognised internationally for the rigour, relevance and the unique learning experience provided for students. AGSM MBA Hong Kong Program is an innovative, customised management education program specially designed with ‘Flexibility’ for busy executives: • Four intakes a year – apply and commence throughout the year • Intensive mode of delivery – balance work and study commitments • World-class faculty – learn from UNSW academics • Subject choice – with more than 20 electives offered, you can design your program experience to suit your career ambitions • Financial flexibility – pay as you learn over 16 subjects • Flexible completion time – complete your MBA between 1.5 to 7 years and progress at your own pace

Accreditation • First Australian business school to receive AACSB accreditation • Received EQUIS accreditation in 2010 Mode of Delivery Part-time, face to face, offered in Hong Kong Duration of Programme 1.5 - 7 years (progress at your own pace)

Language of Instruction English Class Size 20 - 40 Programme Fee Fee per course in 2015 are HK$19,890*. This includes tuition and course materials. * Fees are subject to change annually.


DATA FACTSHEETS

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION (MBA)

Contact: Research and Postgraduate Studies Section Faculty of Business R802 Shirley Chan Building The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2766 7047 Fax: (852) 2365 7415 Email: [email protected] www.polyu.edu.hk/fb/rpss/mba

Programme Summary Since 1990, the PolyU MBA has been developing business executives in Hong Kong to attain holistic business education. The curriculum is constantly updated with new elements and currently special emphasis is placed on global development, Asian and Chinese contexts, and related management knowledge and skills. The programme features an international faculty made up of academics from PolyU, flexible approaches to teaching and full teacher-student interaction. Students develop analytical ability, critical and creative thinking, change and general management expertise, a global outlook and a sense of social responsibility. They enhance their understanding and competence for business management through case studies and investigative reports. Class Profile – Intake of 97 students in 2014 – Average 12 years of work experience – Average 36 of age – 71% are managers, directors or professionals

Accreditation We are among a small group of business schools worldwide with Triple Accreditation: – AACSB – EQUIS – AMBA Programme Schedule The programme requires a total of 45 credits, consisting 12 core management subjects, 2 elective subjects, a Leadership Development Programme, and an Investigative Report.

Ranking The Faculty is ranked No. 68 by University of Texas at Dallas Top 100 Business School Worldwide Rankings based on research published in 24 top business journals in 2009 to 2013. Language of Instruction English Programme Fee HK$220,500 (Subject to review)

Mode of Delivery Part-time Duration of Programme 2 years (Maximum: 4 years)


DATA FACTSHEETS

HKUST Business School Executive Education Office HKUST BUSINESS SCHOOL EXECUTIVE EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Contact: Christine Chan / Garrie Pang Executive Education Office School of Business & Management Room 3011 Lee Shau Kee Business Building The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2358 7541 / (852) 2358 8013 Fax: (852) 2335 5836 Email: [email protected] www.bm.ust.hk/ExecEd

Programme Summary HKUST Business School Executive Education Office offers non-degree Company and Open-enrolment programs which provide executives and managerial talents in corporations, local and overseas platform to sharpen skill sets and acquire the cutting-edge insights that help companies prosper and better prepare for the new challenges and responsibilities found in today’s workplace. Every year a packed timetable includes programs ranging from 2 days in duration to the comprehensive Leading for Success series which spreads 10 days of high-quality teaching over 4 months. They are designed for senior executives and business leaders who look for intensive learning mode programs with minimal disturbance to their busy schedule and for those would like to apply what they learnt in the workplace immediately.

Accreditation HKUST Business School is accredited by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International). Programme Schedule Year-round Mode of Delivery Part Time

Language of Instruction English Class Size 20-40 Programme Fee Refer to website for details.

Duration of Programme 2-10 days Ranking • Kellogg-HKUST EMBA No. 2 in the World (2014), No.1 in the World for six years (2007,2009-2013), Financial Times • MBA Program No.14 in the World in 2014, No. 1 in Asia, fifth straight year (2010-2014), Financial Times


ACCOUNTING & FINANCE

In step with the times

Photo: Felix Wong

Tertiary education is keeping up with regulatory changes, writes Zoran Nedeljkovic

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ince the global financial crisis, much has changed in regulatory circles to help prevent such a meltdown ever happening again. But what sometimes goes unnoticed is the extent to which business schools and universities have updated their programmes to ensure the rising generation of corporate executives really gets the message about change. For instance, The University of Hong Kong (HKU) responded to the crisis by offering a new corporate finance stream under the master of finance programme in addition to existing streams in risk management and


financial engineering. Programme co-director Dr Dragon Tang says courses on hot topics such as private equity have also been added to the curriculum, and more teachers with practical industry experience have been brought in. “We have improved the quantitative courses, but have also started to offer more fundamental, less quantitative finance courses,” Tang says. “We want our students to have technical skills, as well as more of a big picture view.” The programme has forged strong links with the business community, and some courses are now taught by senior bankers

or industrialists working in relevant fields. Leading figures from the business world are invited to give talks or lead seminars on a regular basis, with the resulting interactive discussions forming an important part of the learning process. It is a chance for leaders to share their experience and talk about values, giving students insights which go beyond the topics covered in the standard curriculum. “We are adapting to, and sometimes anticipating, changes in the financial world with new courses and support,” Tang says. “The programme will offer more specialised areas, providing elite education for professionals in all areas of finance and

giving them a global perspective.” Tang adds that HKU’s finance students typically go on to jobs in investment houses, wealth management, risk advisory, derivatives trading, and with government agencies after graduating. At Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) Business School, Professor Peter MacKay, associate professor and academic director for the MSc in investment management/financial analysis (part-time) programme, notes that the both the MSc in investment management and the MSc in financial analysis give postgraduate students a thorough grounding in the principles of modern financial theory. “Those who took our teachings seriously and heeded simple but powerful messages about the techniques of modern finance would have weathered the crisis with poise,” MacKay says. “For example, irrational biases, which are studied in our behavioural finance

elective, can become a source of profit for those who understand them. The guiding principles of finance do not depend on the state of the market so, in this sense, our curriculum is classic and well proven.” HKUST Business School’s core courses cover fundamental principles which change slowly and withstand the test of time. However, other programme-specific required courses evolve at a more rapid pace, and the school keeps a close eye on issues such as risk management and regulatory compliance in the financial services industry. “Our elective course offering is very adaptive to the latest changes observed in the financial markets,” MacKay says. “Students are provided with cutting-edge research and the advanced technical skills needed to tackle complex applied problems and real-life situations.” Similarly, Dr Allen Ng, senior teaching fellow, School of Teaching and Finance

at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) stresses the need for professors to pay close attention to new regulations and their impact on areas like risk management. Indeed, PolyU’s master of finance programme and master of corporate finance programme have been regularly updated over the years and has now received professional recognition from the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute. “The programme offers electives such as international finance and international banking so that students obtain more of a perspective on the dynamics of the global finance,” Ng says. “We also invite industry professionals to share their views on hot topics in finance and corporate finance to keep students abreast of the latest developments. Full-time students have many opportunities to attend seminars and workshops to prepare them for the real world of finance.”

Professor Peter MacKay

“

We are adapting to, and sometimes anticipating, changes

”

- Dr Dragon Tang

Dr Allen Ng


DATA FACTSHEETS

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE IN GLOBAL POLITICAL ECONOMY (MGPE) PROGRAMME

Contact: MGPE Programme Room 111, 1/F, Sino Building The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3943 6737 Fax: (852) 2603 6774 Email: [email protected] http://mgpe.ssc.cuhk.edu.hk/eng/ index.html

Programme Summary MGPE Examines the interaction between international relations and the global economy by systematically offering a series of inter-disciplinary and timely academic courses to analyse and explain our world in an era of financial crises and global insecurity. In addition to analysing economic concepts and their effects on the political economy, the Programme focuses heavily upon the political determinants and effects of economic outcomes. The Programme offers students a comprehensive insight into the discipline of global political economy. University degree holders from all disciplines who intend to enhance their competitiveness in respective careers; pursue future professional development in the fields of Finance, Management, consultancy, Policy Research or NGO development; or plan for doctoral training with academic prospect are welcome to apply. The Programme is a one-year full-time and two-year part-time Taught Master’s degree programme. To be awarded the degree, students are required to complete 16 7-week courses, including 4 from the list of core courses. Additionally, students are required to specialize in a particular stream of study by taking at least 9 credits within the study period. 4 streams will be available: “The Political Economy of Trade and Finance”, “Global Governance and Politics”, “Greater China and the World”, and “Regional Studies in the International Political Economy”.

Accreditation MGPE Programme is a Taught Master’s degree programme offered by the Faculty of Social Science of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Programme Schedule MGPE Programme commences in September. There are four 7-week terms in each academic year. Mode of Delivery Full-time Part-time Duration of Programme Full-time: 1 year Part-time: 2 years

Programme Director: Prof. SHEN, Xu-hui Simon Language of Instruction English Class Size Core courses: 60 students Elective courses: 40 students Programme Fee Tuition Fee for 2015-16: HK$140,000 For each additional 7-week course, the tuition fee is HK$8,750


DATA FACTSHEETS

Lingnan University POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN ACCOUNTANCY (PGDA) (PART-TIME) MASTER OF ACCOUNTANCY (MACC) (FULL-TIME)

Contact: Department of Accountancy (PGDA/MAcc) Lingnan University, Tuen Mun, N.T. Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2616 8182 / (852) 2616 8107 Fax: (852) 2464 9394 Email: [email protected] www.LN.edu.hk/acct/macc

The Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy (PGDA) programme has been accredited as a Conversion Programme for direct entry to the Qualification Programme (QP) of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA). We aim to provide the PGDA awardees (including non-accounting degree graduates or accounting graduates with a non-recognized accounting degree) with the necessary accounting knowledge to pursue a career in professional accountancy. The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) programme is delivered in one-year full-time. We aim to provide the MAcc awardees be able to exhibit both current and broad knowledge of development in accounting theory and practice from global and local perspective.

Accreditation HKICPA, ACCA, CPA Australia, ICMA, CIMA, AACSB


Programme Schedule PGDA: classes to be held on Saturdays MAcc: classes to be held on weekdays

Programme Fee PGDA HK$52,000 MAcc HK$152,000

Mode of Delivery PGDA (part-time), MAcc (full-time) Duration of Programme PGDA (part-time) 1-year, MAcc (full-time) 1-year


DATA FACTSHEETS

HKUST Business School MSC IN INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT MSC IN FINANCIAL ANALYSIS

Contact: MSc Program Office Room 2037, 2/F, Lee Shau Kee Business Building, HKUST Clear Water Bay, Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2358 6404 Fax: (852) 2705 9596 Email: [email protected] http://mfin.bm.ust.hk

Programme Summary The Master of Science Program in Investment Management (MScIM) and the Master of Science Program in Financial Analysis program (MScFA) provide rigorous training for students pursuing professional careers in the finance industry. Since their inception in 1996 and 2002, both programs have been widely recognized by finance professionals as premier academic programs. The curricula of both programs are constantly adapted to meet the growing and specialized demands of industry. Both programs offer solid foundations in accounting, economics, quantitative and computing skills, asset valuation and financial derivatives, which form the core subjects in the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investments Analysts (CAIA) examination curriculum. The programs’ curricula and course scheduling are sequenced to support students who wish to take the CFA/CAIA examinations. Students then build on this broad knowledge base by selecting advanced courses and specialized electives that lead to concentrations in Asset Management, Risk Management, Corporate Finance, or Security Analysis.

Accreditation • Chartered Financial Analysis (CFA) Program Partner of CFA Institute


Programme Schedule Flexible class schedule for core and required courses: All day Saturday or weekday evening plus Saturday afternoon. The weekday class will be conducted at downtown.

Class Size 40-60 for each program

Mode of Delivery Part-time

Programme Fee The program fee for 2015-16 intake is set at HKD7,500/credit, a total of HKD225,000 for 30 credits.

Duration of Programme • 18-month, max up to 5-year


HOSPITALITY

Offering a better service

Hotel Icon, run by PolyU, is a cradle of hospitality professionals

Photo: PolyU

Local universities develop courses with innovation and creativity, reports John Cremer

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ith tourists continuing to flood into Hong Kong in their millions and a range of new hotels in the works, it is essential that training for those in the industry reflects changing demand, management practices and the best international standards. “We keep track of the needs of public/ private employers and review our curriculum regularly with the help of advisory board members and survey data, to make sure courses are consistent with the school’s strategic plan and learning quality standards,” says Jenny Tian, assistant professor at the


School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). “Our job, though, is not just to follow the trends and meet industry needs. We think it is important for universities to set trends and direct the attention of industry professionals to innovative business models and practices outside their comfort zone. And we have a responsibility to educate students in recognising the multidimensional, long-term impacts of tourism.” For postgraduate programmes, this entails three elements. In core courses, faculty members are encouraged to incorporate new trends, theories, technologies and

practices. Where appropriate, teachers can draw such material from their own research work which might focus, for example, on “green” hotel design or emerging trends in financial tourism. Secondly, using the strengths of the business curriculum, there have been concerted efforts in recent years to design more industry-oriented courses dealing with areas like food and beverage (F&B) and real estate. And thirdly, the school has been introducing more executive-in-residence, or EIR, courses taught by experienced industry executives, but with a faculty co-ordinator to ensure course design and assessment

Dr Jinsoo Lee

schemes meet quality standards. “We aim to provide well-rounded management programmes, which give students comprehensive knowledge through business foundation courses and a good basis in theory,” Tian says. “But we also realise that knowledge transfer will not happen without ‘learning by doing’, so we use different approaches to create a learning environment where students can apply theory in practice.” The most important aspect of this is having the Hyatt Regency Hong Kong, Sha Tin as a “teaching hotel” right next to the CUHK campus. It means real-time data and real-life cases can be used in the classroom and that students have ample opportunities for internship and part-time work. Hands-on experience in a quick-service or fine dining restaurant, handling front- and back-of-house operations can shed all kinds of light on what happens in the day-to-day business – and why. “We believe that, regardless of economic conditions, tourism will continue to grow in Hong Kong,” Tian says. “In general,

today’s customers expect better services, but defining that can vary significantly across customer segments. Our students should be aware that ‘millennials’ may prefer a high-tech approach, while baby boomers still welcome a more high-touch, low-tech approach. At the same time, budget hotels and airlines are seeing tremendous growth, which suggests the importance of focused strategies, whether based on cost efficiency or product differentiation. Therefore, our graduate programmes pay attention to every link in a typical business value chain and make sure our students understand the functions from the supply side to customer relationship management.” New infrastructure projects will continue to change the face of travel and tourism in Hong Kong. The high-speed rail link, Kai Tak cruise terminal and cross-delta bridge all present new opportunities for the sector. “These new dimensions will empower customers with more choice and flexibility, and should add to the quality of the travel and tourism experience,” Tian says. Dr Jinsoo Lee, associate professor and doctor of hotel and tourism managment at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management, similarly stresses the importance of preparing

“

graduates for a dynamic environment where innovation, creativity and analysis are expected parts of the executive toolkit. Accordingly, the programme has been designed to integrate academic, research and decision-based subjects which promote personal and professional development. “The goal is to foster global perspectives on hotel and tourism management, while also showing the sector in a broader, socioeconomic and political context. Students identify emerging trends and develop the research skills to analyse where they may lead,” he says. An “industry” stream meant for senior executives focuses more on innovation and management style, while the “academic” stream leans more towards research and education topics. About 60 per cent of the students are international, and the flexible delivery pattern helps students to fit classes and research into their usual hectic schedules. “The programme is now in its eighth year and has a distinctly Asian focus, with one subject analysing how and why the centre of gravity in hospitality has shifted to Asia,” Lee says. “We offer learning specifically tailored for professionals, with recent graduates holding senior industry positions in the region and beyond.”

Customers expect better services, but defining that can vary significantly across customer segments - Jenny Tian

”


DATA FACTSHEETS

School of Hotel and Tourism Management The Hong Kong Polytechnic University DOCTOR OF HOTEL AND TOURISM MANAGEMENT

Contact: 1) Dr Jinsoo Lee, Programme Leader 2) Mr Jason Chau, Executive Officer School of Hotel and Tourism Management The Hong Kong Polytechnic University 17 Science Museum Road TST East, Kowloon, Hong Kong Tel : 1) Dr Lee - (852) 3400 2238 2) Mr Chau - (852) 3400 2198 Fax : (852) 2362 9362 Email : 1) [email protected] 2) [email protected] www.polyu.edu.hk/htm/dhtm

Programme Summary Launched in 2007, the Doctor of Hotel and Tourism Management (D.HTM) programme is the world’s first professional doctoral programme in hotel and tourism management designed for senior industry executives, academics and senior staff in governmental and non-governmental hospitality and tourism organisations. The programme provides an alternative path to a doctorate than the Ph.D., integrating course work and research with a focus on innovation, creativity and anticipating future trends. The D.HTM’s specific Asian focus, unique combination of subjects and research, and flexible delivery pattern enable industry professionals to advance their careers by developing innovation, creativity and needed research skills within an Asian context. Since its inception, the D.HTM has been attracting a range of professionals from experienced practitioners and government representatives to academics who are interested in augmenting their careers. The programme’s truly global student base has hailed from as far and wide as France, Germany, Ghana, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Peru, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and the United States.

Programme Schedule Students must complete 51 credits to earn a D.HTM which consists of nine subjects (27 credits) and a 24-credit thesis. Unique to the programme, the mixed mode format offers flexible study options to students.


Mode of Delivery Full-time / Part-time

Programme Fee HK$397,200 (subject to revision)

Class Size Small class size

Duration of Programme 2.5 – 8 years (usually 3 years for full-time and 4 to 5 years for parttime) Ranking Ranked No. 2 internationally, PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management is a world-leading provider of hospitality and tourism education offering programmes at levels ranging from Higher Diploma to Ph.D.


LET CHOICE NOT CHANCE DETERMINE YOUR FUTURE Education Post is Hong Kong’s leading online education website with up-to-date editorial content such as insider news from the Accounting, Business and Education communities and the most comprehensive database in postgraduate, MBA and continuing education with information on over 2,000 courses.

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YOUR CAREER STARTS HERE

SECTION TWO

HUMANITY, SOCIAL SCIENCES & ENGINEERING


ART & CULTURE

Beyond the local context

Photo: Dickson Lee

Degrees which look at China, Asia and globalisation are becoming popular, writes Vickie Chan

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ften described as on the boundary between humanities and social sciences, a degree in anthropology – the study of cultures and what it means to be human – can lead to a wide range of work opportunities in everything from marketing and research to journalism or even police work. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) began its master’s programme in anthropology in 1999 believing that it would really spark the interest of those who chose it.


During the early years, programme director and graduate division head Professor Joseph Bosco found that many students had a strong interest in Chinese culture, specifically around topics like heritage management or archaeology in mainland China, though their approach was somewhat parochial. Now, the interests tend to be much broader, with one reason being that more students come from solid middle-class families where there is less concern about just having a job and more inclination to find meaningful work. “Besides that, more people travel independently and, in general, globalisation

has changed our knowledge of and interaction with other countries and communities,” Bosco says. “The outcome is that more students want to learn and analyse and be thorough in their studies.” The CUHK master’s course includes electives from undergraduate programmes, which are supplemented with additional research and specialised tutorials. There are only two required classes, one of which focuses on field methods, so that students learn how to do ethnographic or field research.

Professor Joseph Bosco

In choosing electives, students create their own learning experience. Many of the classes are small and cover topics such as the anthropology of China; medicine, health and culture; political violence and human rights. The schedule can make it difficult to study part-time while holding down a full-time job. For those thinking of applying, Bosco adds that a diverse mix of students promotes active discussion in the classroom. “Your language skills need to be good, for speed and comprehension, and to write well,” he says. Some graduates go back to their previous jobs with an added sense of fulfilment, while others use their degree to move to new roles. Typically, they look for openings in market research, advertising, with NGOs, at the Antiquities and Monuments Office, teaching, or even going on to a research-based postgraduate degree. “Fields like social sciences are becoming more popular and viable, as even banks want to hire from all disciplines and train in-house. The variety of skills this brings is seen as an advantage,” Bosco says. Indeed, the qualitative and other research methods learned in studying anthropology help graduates to see different approaches, question assumptions and think around a problem. For those who want to focus on the arts, a master’s in literary and cultural studies can be the ideal way forward. It covers a range of ideas and disciplines and gives students new skills in analysis and creative thinking. The

programme at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) includes core studies and electives and addresses topics from both international and inter-disciplinary perspectives. The goal is to look at and come to appreciate different cultural viewpoints with the help of theoretical aspects, relevant literature and film studies. The programme has five main streams: film, visual and new media studies; literary and cultural theory; gender and sexuality studies; Hong Kong and China studies; and urban post-colonial and global studies. According to programme co-ordinator Dr Winnie Yee, the aim is to offer a diversity of subjects taught by specialist lecturers, so that students can focus on their particular interests. Applicants should have some background in literary or cultural studies and a certain amount of training in how to write critical or analytical essays and study a work of literature. However, the university welcomes students from different backgrounds –– lawyers, accountants, teachers and others to keep discussions lively and ensure a range of opinions. Yee has noticed that master’s degrees which look at China and Asia and their relationship with the rest of the world are becoming more popular. At HKU, students are also increasingly interested in visual and new media studies, as well as culture and globalisation. Other institutions in Hong Kong offering postgraduate courses are apparently seeing similar developments. “There is a new interest in cultural trends

Dr Winnie Yee

and how we engage with technology,” Yee says. “The social theories learned help in understanding everyday life.” The programme’s theoretical training familiarises students with concepts like Marxism, feminism and neo-liberalism, as well as more cutting-edge thoughts. “This gives students different angles from which to look at things and relate to each other,” Yee says. “For example, if you look at gender, there will be a link to class and other social phenomena like political ideas. We teach students how, in reality, these things are linked and how to understand and critique them.” Overall, graduates have the ability to see beyond the local context to understand what is happening in the rest of the world. For their final-year project, they are expected to use interpretive strategies to study literature and other narratives, and come up with independent conclusions. Yee says that the skills learned in contextual analysis and critical evaluation can easily be transferred to the workplace. “The theoretical training is also valuable, as it gives students an advanced conceptual framework and a way of looking at things with a critical eye,” she says. Former graduates have found jobs in teaching, for example at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), in film and media, and are helping local companies to run film festivals. Others have gone into publishing works on culture, curating exhibitions and managing art collections.


DATA FACTSHEETS

The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts MASTER OF MUSIC MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN DANCE MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN DRAMA MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN CINEMA PRODUCTION MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN THEATRE AND ENTERTAINMENT ARTS

Contact: Graduate Education Centre 1 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2584 8779 Fax: (852) 2584 8778 Email: [email protected] www.hkapa.edu/gec/

Programme Summary The Academy Master’s degree programmes provide opportunities for talented graduates from Hong Kong and abroad to obtain internationally recognised postgraduate qualifications in the performing arts and theatre and entertainment arts. The practice-oriented programmes foster artistry, develop advanced skills, provide in-depth knowledge, and build professionalism for students who demonstrate the potential for excellence. Postgraduate students undertake practical research, apply theory to professional practice, make original contributions to their areas of specialisation, and gain the specialised means and assurance to continue in life-long careers. While valuing independent accomplishment within contexts of collaboration and team effort, study at the Master’s degree level is intended to enable practicing artists to develop into potential leaders in the arts. With an international mix of students and faculty, the Academy Master’s degree programmes provide opportunities for students to develop an international perspective in the arts and receive wider cultural exposure. The Academy’s state-of-the-art facilities and its six disciplines of Dance, Drama, Film and Television, Music, Theatre and Entertainment Arts, and Chinese Opera provide ample opportunities for Master’s degree students to pursue cutting edge and cross-disciplinary work. Postgraduate students are a vital component of Academy life.

Accreditation On successful completion of the programme, students will receive the: • Master of Music • Master of Fine Arts in Dance • Master of Fine Arts in Drama • Master of Fine Arts in Cinema Production • Master of Fine Arts in Theatre and Entertainment Arts Programme Schedule All programmes commence in September. Students are required to fulfil 60 credits for graduation.

Language of Instruction English Class Size 20 for each programme Programme Fee Fees for 2015/2016 to be confirmed Fees for 2014/2015 as reference Full-time: $95,000 (MFA in Cinema Production is $114,000) Part-time: $63,400 (MFA in Cinema Production is $76,000)

Mode of Delivery Full-time or Part-time Duration of Programme 2 years for Full-time 3 to 4 years for Part-time


DATA FACTSHEETS

Department of Anthropology The Chinese University of Hong Kong M.A. IN ANTHROPOLOGY

Contact: Room 407 Humanities Building New Asia College The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin, N.T. Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3943 7670 / 3943 7677 Fax: (852) 2603 5218 Email: [email protected] www.cuhk.edu.hk/ant/ma.htm

Programme Summary The Programme is designed for people who have not majored in anthropology but wish to receive a formal education in the discipline. The goal of the programme is to teach students the basic theories and methods of social and cultural anthropology and to give them a broad understanding of anthropology’s different topics. Students will learn to develop their abilities of critical, independent and creative thinking in analyzing contemporary social and political issues, and understanding the diversity of human cultures and societies. A key feature and major advantage of the Programme is that students are able to take courses that fit their background and interest. For example, foreign students can concentrate on Chinese society and culture, while students working in museums can concentrate on the anthropology of tourism, museums, archaeology, and other areas relevant to their work.

Programme Schedule Students have to complete 8 courses. The contact hours of each course is 3 hours (13 – 14 weeks) Deadline of application: 31 March 2015 Mode of Delivery Full-time / Part-time Duration of Programme One year for Full-time Two years for Part-time

Language of Instruction English Class Size Varies from 12 in some electives to 50 in required courses. Programme Fee HK$90,000 per year (Full-time) HK$45,000 per year (Part-time)


EDUCATION

Meeting challenges

Photo: REUTERS

Social and technological changes demand constant knowledge updates, writes John Brennan

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here are few areas offering such an exponential return on investment as the field of education. Improve the skills and knowledge of one teacher and you take steps to enhance the learning of all those they go on to instruct. That, of course, is the mission of The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd), formally established in 1994, but with roots which can be traced back to 1853, when the first authorised programme of in-service teacher training was introduced by St Paul’s College. Clearly, the demands placed on teachers


and educators have changed significantly since those early days, but Teresa Poon Sinyi, assistant registrar of HKIEd’s Graduate School, believes the importance of their role in society hasn’t. “In an era of globalisation and rapid social, technological and economic change, education is a field in which knowledge needs to be rapidly updated – and not just to prepare students for predictable futures,” Poon says. “The key task today is to contribute to the development of the human capacity to meet new challenges.” In her view, the younger generation in

Hong Kong and around the world should have an education which is broad-based, multi-disciplinary and change-oriented. This should include enhanced international and regional exposure, enabling them to contribute to inter-cultural understanding and the development of a democratic and just society within a sustainable environment. To that end, the institute plays an active role in meeting the need for professional enhancement and research training. Over the years, qualification standards for professional careers have continued to rise, with a postgraduate degree now often required. The

institute therefore looks to address changing needs, support teachers’ professional development, encourage a research-based culture in schools and enhance leadership abilities. Most HKIEd taught master’s programmes take one year if studied on a full-time basis or two years when done part-time. Doctoral degrees generally take three to five years to complete. Some programmes, such as the doctor of education and master of education, specifically aim to support the strategic development of high-quality teaching in Hong Kong by promoting innovation and reform. The courses are designed to enhance professional knowledge, skills and attitudes for more effective teaching and administration, while also paving the way for educational change in Hong Kong and the broader Asia-Pacific region. Other programmes give students the specialist training they need to become more competent professionals in specific

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disciplines and related community settings. In this respect, the institute offers master’s level qualifications in subjects such as educational counselling; arts management and entrepreneurship; educational speechlanguage pathology and learning disabilities; social sciences in community education for environmental management; teaching English to speakers of other languages; and Chinese studies. “By offering a multi-disciplinary learning environment, these programmes provide a solid theoretical grounding and satisfy the need for a deeper understanding of the thinking, research and practice in specific areas of study,” Poon says. “They also enhance upward career mobility.” In addition, the institute runs professional development programmes (PDPs) for teachers in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools. The aim is to help them cope with the rapidly changing educational landscape by giving the necessary knowledge, skills and outlook.

“PDPs are an indispensable part of the process in bringing about sustainable school development, ultimately for the improvement of student learning,” says Philip Keung Suilun, assistant registrar at the HKIEd Registry. “The programmes are reviewed on a yearly basis to ensure they meet professional needs in the school sector and remain aligned with the policy directions set out by the government.” At present, PDPs deal with topics such as early intervention, special educational needs, and teaching Chinese language in primary schools. Each is specially designed for in-service teachers working in Hong Kong’s kindergartens, primary, secondary and special schools. Duration ranges from one to eight weeks in full-time mode and three months to one year in part-time mode. “Schools can generally apply for replacement teachers from the Education Bureau, if the duration of a full-time PDP is five weeks or longer,” Keung says.

The key task today is to contribute to the development of the human capacity to meet new challenges - Teresa Poon

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Philip Keung


DATA FACTSHEETS

The Hong Kong Institute of Education POSTGRADUATE DIPLOMA IN EDUCATION PROGRAMMES

Contact: Admissions and Registrations Section, Registry Information Centre, Room A-G/F-11 Administration Building The Hong Kong Institute of Education 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po New Territories, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2948 6886 Fax: (852) 2948 6162 Email: [email protected] www.ied.edu.hk/acadprog/pgde

Programme Summary Postgraduate Diploma in Education Programmes (PGDE) aim to prepare university graduates to become competent and confident teachers in schools in Hong Kong. If you are holding a recognised bachelor’s degree and wish to receive teacher training, PGDE would be a good choice for you. The Hong Kong Institute of Education offers the following PGDE programmes in 2015-2016: • PGDE (Primary) Programme • PGDE (Secondary) Programme • PGDE (Early Childhood Education) Programme • PGDE (Professional & Vocational Education) Programme

Mode of Delivery Full-time / Part-time

Language of Instruction Chinese and/or English

Duration of Programme One year for Full-time Two years for Part-time

Programme Fee Full-time PGDE Programmes Local students: HK$42,100 per annum Non-local students: HK$110,000 per annum Part-time PGDE Programmes Local students: HK$21,050 per annum Non-local students: HK$55,000 per annum


LAW

Honing legal minds

Photo: Sam Tsang

Wilson Lau reports on new law modules with holistic scope and approach in Hong Kong

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niversities in Hong Kong have introduced new modules with a focus on highly specialised areas to ensure their postgraduate and professional law programmes keep evolving. As an example, Professor Christopher Gane, dean of the Faculty of Law at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) cites the Master of Laws (LLM) programmes which combine intellectual rigour and practical relevance. “These programmes continuously develop and adapt to the constantly changing demand for advanced courses that offer


both legal knowledge and practical training,” Gane says. “They also reflect the increasing sophistication of the markets in which the students advance their careers.” In recent years, the new courses incorporated into CUHK’s LLM programmes include modules on international commercial dispute resolution, international taxation, shipping law, international investment law, Chinese intellectual property law, and Chinese financial law. In similar vein, Dr Ding Chunyan, assistant professor at the School of Law at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) notes that LLM programmes should provide students

with the flexibility and range of subjects to support diverse interests and career plans. “[We offer] specialised field focuses in response to the current market demand for maritime, intellectual property, and international trade lawyers,” Ding says. CityU students also have opportunities to study overseas. This helps to broaden their outlook and gives a different kind of experience in their chosen areas. Gane adds that CUHK’s LLM in Chinese business law is increasingly popular with seasoned professionals keen to develop an edge. It equips graduates with the knowledge, skills and expertise to tap into

opportunities created by China’s drive to adopt international standards. “With the greater integration of the Hong Kong and mainland economies, mainland-related transactions continue to grow, bringing new legal and regulatory issues,” Gane says. “This represents a new opportunity for the legal profession to bring added value to their clients or employers by providing innovative and creative solutions in the planning, structuring and execution of transactions.” Ethics is another area receiving extra attention. CUHK now requires all students on its Juris Doctor (JD) programme to study ethics. The aim is to enhance their understanding of the rule of law and the role of lawyers in the context of society at large. “We also require students to include jurisprudence (legal theory) in their JD programme, and to undertake independent research,” Gane says. He adds that there continues to be strong

demand in Hong Kong for professionally directed programmes in law, particularly the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL). This is a prerequisite for admission to professional practice as a solicitor or barrister if students have no previous experience as a practising lawyer. “The Law Society of Hong Kong has commissioned a study on whether would-be entrants to the profession of solicitor should undertake an additional common entrance examination, although results of that study have not yet been made public,” Gane says. Competition for places on CUHK’s LLM programmes continues to be intense, with applications well in excess of spots available. Indeed, both the LLM in international economic law and that in Chinese business law have been ranked by Eduniversal among the world’s top 200 master’s programmes in business and commercial law. “The picture is the same for the JD programme, where competition for admission

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is exceptionally strong,” Gane says. “In 2013-14, over half the intake, whether full- or part-time, entered with a first class bachelor’s degree or equivalent, or a PhD or equivalent.” Echoing this, CityU’s Ding says that student intakes for LLM programmes have been steadily on the rise in recent years. “The programme leading to a Renmin University award has also attracted a stable number of applications,” she says. “The diversity of applicants and students enrolled in postgraduate law programmes in Hong Kong has also been increasing.” She adds that the option of part-time degrees is especially important for local students, since this allows them to combine work with further study. “Around one-third of our JD intake consists of part-time students. Importantly, this programme offers the possibility of access to a qualifying law degree on a part-time basis, something not available through the bachelor of laws.”

Competition for admission is exceptionally strong - Professor Christopher Gane

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Dr Ding Chunyan


DATA FACTSHEETS

The Chinese University of Hong Kong TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE LAW PROGRAMMES • POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN LAWS (PCLL) • JURIS DOCTOR (JD) • MASTER OF LAWS (LLM)

Contact: Faculty of Law 6/F., Lee Shau Kee Building The Chinese University of Hong Kong Shatin, Hong Kong Tel: (852) 3943 4310 Fax: (852) 2994 2505 Email: [email protected] www.law.cuhk.edu.hk

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Faculty of Law offers the following taught postgraduate law programmes in 2015-16: • PCLL • JD • LLM in Chinese Business Law • LLM in Common Law • LLM in International Economic Law All programmes are taught by a highly international academic faculty with professors from eighteen different jurisdictions. An uncompromising dedication to teaching, research and international exchange implemented through an innovative and student-centred approach ensures worldclass legal education. Classes are delivered at the CUHK Graduate Law Centre in Central with state-of-the-art teaching facilities creating an ideal teaching and research environment. Scholarships are available for academically outstanding students. Please visit the Faculty’s website for details.

Accreditation The JD is a recognized law degree for admission to the PCLL. The PCLL is a skill-based training programme required for admission to the legal profession in Hong Kong under the Legal Practitioners Ordinance. Mode of Delivery PCLL: Full-time JD & LLM: Full-time & Part-time Duration of Programme PCLL: 1 year JD: 24 months (Full-time) / 42 months (Part-time) LLM: 1 year (Full-time) / 2 years (Part-time)

Language of Instruction English Programme Fee Tuition Fee for 2015-16 *: • PCLL: HK$42,100 for local UGC-funded places and Distinguished Scholarship places. HK$120,000 for non-local UGC-funded places and Distinguished Scholarship places. HK$152,800 for Self-financed places. • JD & LLM: HK$4,630 per unit within the normative study period. *Subject to approval.


ENGINEERING

Anticipating change

Photo: Jonathan Wong

Engineering courses plan ahead for new demand and breakthroughs, writes John Cremer

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he key to ensuring postgraduate engineering courses meet evolving demands is to maintain close contacts with employers and not to fear innovation. That, at least, is the view of Professor Francis Au, associate dean (teaching and learning – taught postgraduate programmes) at the University of Hong Kong’s Faculty of Engineering, which currently offers a total of 12 MSc programmes. Some are run by just one of the five departments which focus respectively on civil engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, industrial and manufacturing


sciences, and electrical and electronic (E&E) engineering. Others are offered jointly, something which duly recognises changes in the workplace, most obviously the need for high-level skills and experience which extend beyond a single discipline. “We are continually monitoring the programmes and will modify the requirements of core courses as necessary,” says Au. “In the coming years, we will also build in some ‘capstone’ experience, where students will integrate knowledge from different courses in a longer project.” This may replace the current option of

doing a dissertation and research work and will be designed to suit the needs of both fulland part-time students. As a point of comparison, Au notes that up until seven or eight years ago most applicants for the taught postgraduate programmes were practising engineers with daytime jobs. Now, though, roughly 50 per cent of any intake is likely to be made up of recent graduates with a first degree and the financial resources to continue in full-time education. “Fresh graduates may lack an appreciation of how to apply the theory in practical situations, but with the design of the

Professor Francis Au

curriculum, they gain that understanding,” Au says. Several mechanisms ensure course content is up-to-date and relevant. These include the university’s system of internal reviews, advisory committees with employer representatives and industry experts and, in some cases, the need to maintain formal accreditation from professional bodies. In addition, questionnaires are circulated on a regular basis to hear student views, and plans are afoot for a similar survey to get feedback and ideas for possible improvements from programme alumni. “The number of applicants has gone up over the last few years, with a lot more from mainland China,” Au says. “However, being limited by capacity and mindful of numbers, we try to keep a balance with usually no more than 50 per cent of mainland students in a class.” In creating a suitably diverse learning environment, the faculty is also looking to admit more students from overseas. This is part of a broader ambition to promote Hong Kong as a centre of excellence for engineering education and practice. “Our vision is to be able to ‘export’ engineering talent, not to create a massive exodus, but so that people can work in, say, the Middle East or Singapore and then come back,” Au says. “We see that graduates are now quite flexible in building their careers

and, in general, there are no major problems in finding good opportunities.” Understandably, though, things do vary between disciplines. For instance, in some industries like electronics and manufacturing, the best option at present may be to go and work in China. But in civil engineering, construction and building services, demand for well-qualified engineers is currently booming in Hong Kong and likely to do so for a while yet. Au notes that all the MSc programmes are self-funded and, importantly, each includes business, management and entrepreneurship subjects. For example, a master’s in electrical and electronic engineering will have modules on industrial marketing and business ventures in China and, where appropriate, a few subjects taken from other departments. Last year, the university also developed an “entrepreneurship academy” where students don’t get credits, but can get basic training in what it takes to set up a new project or run a separate venture. “We want students to understand the business side and the importance of striking a balance,” Au says. “We also have

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certain ideas in mind for courses covering the convergence of technology, as well as robotics and 3D printing, but demand is not there yet, so we need to wait for the right time to launch.” Professor Winco Yung, programme co-ordinator for the engineering doctorate (EngD) offered by Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s Faculty of Engineering, similarly notes the importance of anticipating change and planning ahead. Introduced in 1999, the EngD underwent a significant revamp in 2011 and now includes a substantial amount of taught coursework carefully designed to give graduates the broad knowledge and research skills to pursue a successful career in engineering management or R&D. “The programme offers an opportunity to gain a qualification of direct relevance to the engineering profession at doctorate degree level,” Yung says. “Candidates are expected to take lectures in management-related and specialised technical subjects, as well as to work on a thesis with a strong flavour of industry practice. Thesis topics are decided jointly with supervising academics and the co-operating companies.”

Candidates are expected to take lectures in management-related and specialised technical subjects

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- Professor Winco Yung


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SECTION THREE

CAREER TIPS


CAREER TIPS

Engineering and technology

Employers look for outstanding soft skills in job applicants, writes Chris Davis

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n the multi-disciplinary world of construction and engineering, employers are looking for technical capabilities coupled with a strong educational background and a willingness to upgrade skills continuously. Accordingly, Charlton Wong, executive vice president of Aecom, says the firm regards its commitment to professional development as a key resource and a way of creating a talent pipeline for the future. When hiring, the firm generally views science and engineering qualifications as a basic requirement, but also expects candidates to be team players with good written and spoken communication skills. “Our doors are open to graduates with a local or overseas academic background,” Wong says. “We also encourage employees to speak up when setting their performance goals, reviewing progress, providing feedback, and discussing rewards.” Aecom offers on-the-job training and

a wide range of in-house continuous professional development (CPD) courses. Some topics are technical, such as “the design of concrete structures to Eurocodes” and “sustainability design”, while others focus on management-related themes like reporting and presentation skills or performing well as a team member. The CPD courses are designed for everyone from junior technical staff to mid-level professionals and cater to their differing needs. The aim is not just to satisfy the requirements of the various professional bodies, but also to ensure staff have up-to-date knowledge and keep abreast of industry developments. Going a step further, Aecom has also set up an online “SkillPort” system, which provides relevant learning materials to enhance both technical skills and management know-how. For individuals looking to shift from engineering into areas like general management, marketing or even finance,

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an MBA can help in understanding how the broader business works. According to Dean Stallard, regional director of Hays recruitment agency in Hong Kong, there is still a shortage of candidates for facilities management roles, with specific skills in mechanical and electrical engineering. Professionals with experience in business continuity planning (BCP) and crisis management are also in short supply. In particular, Stallard notes that property developers are on the lookout for people with contract administration skills to bolster their existing teams. “Candidates must have problem-solving skills and a self-motivated, can-do attitude to ensure they can make a seamless transition,” Stallard says.

Candidates must have problemsolving skills and a self-motivated, can-do attitude - Dean Stallard

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Charlton Wong


CAREER TIPS

Art, creativity and culture

Show commitment, integrity and love of learning to outbid competiton, writes Chris Davis

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hether identifying an “old master” painting, appraising Ming Dynasty ceramics, or researching and organising a sale of rare stamps, anyone working for an auction house soon discovers there is far more to the job than the simplified public image of intoning “going, going, gone” and bringing down the hammer. As Alexi Fung, managing director of Bonhams in Hong Kong, is quick to explain, the firm has six departments – Chinese painting, modern and contemporary art, wine, works of art, and jewellery and watches – and the specialists working in each can have very different academic backgrounds and training. The auction house hires fresh graduates, who start on the first rung and experienced people who have worked in related industries. “The main thing we look for is passion,”

says Fung. “It is very important that you love what you are doing and are committed to keep learning.” Founded in 1793, Bonhams is one of the world’s largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Especially during the auction season, part-time and temporary staff are taken on to support specialists. Some subsequently stay on to become junior specialists, having the opportunity to work with some of the most knowledgeable people in their areas and to gain a fuller understanding of how an auction house operates its business. For anyone considering this route, knowledge of art or prior experience in the field is not a must, but it is a big advantage. Most important is total commitment, integrity and an interest in learning best practices. “Our senior specialists are always willing to share their knowledge and experience,” Fung says. Andrew Simmonds, associate director

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in the consumer practice for Harvey Nash Executive Search APAC, notes that senior positions at auction houses are generally divided into specialist and business management roles. The former involve responsibility for putting sales together, which requires expertise in sourcing and accurately valuing works under consideration. For the latter, qualifications in business management can be helpful, but industry experience often counts as much. “For senior specialist roles, knowledge of the market is crucial, as are contacts,” Simmonds says. “For top management and strategic positions, experience of a comparable industry or specific understanding of a particular geographical region can be important and transferable.” Simmonds adds that for roles in commercial galleries, contacts and industry knowledge are as useful as business qualifications.

The main thing we look for is passion

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- Alexi Fung

Andrew Simmonds


CAREER TIPS

Management and finance

MBA, CFA, CAIA and CPA are always required in the business world, writes Chris Davis

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he strength and success of any large enterprise overseeing significant assets depends on having the right people and ensuring they have a diversity of skills and capabilities. With a total workforce of more than 4,900 employees, Swire Properties is a good example of such an organisation and, not surprisingly, it goes to great lengths in seeing that staff have a strong academic background and that specific professional skills are continuously upgraded. “We recruit people with different qualifications, from fresh graduates to seasoned professionals, who aspire to a career in the property field,” says Philippe de Gentile-Williams, director of human resources. He adds that the company places a high value on teamwork and a sense of community and looks for these qualities in prospective employees. Some jobs require specific qualifications,

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for example trainee engineers should have a degree in electrical, mechanical, building services or an otherwise relevant engineering discipline. Candidates for roles as trainee building surveyors would similarly need a directly related degree. To maintain a pipeline of talent, the company provides a wide range of training and career development opportunities. Besides on-the-job experience, these include internal rotations, mentoring and overseas secondments. Last year, for instance, the training and development team also organised more than 1,300 courses covering everything from customer service and management techniques to operations, languages and leadership. In the asset management sector, where the recently launched Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme is expected to create some new positions, employers tend to favour applicants with a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification over

For each particular sector of the asset management industry, there are different qualifications to consider - Marc Baloch

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Philippe de Gentile-Williams


those with an MBA or other designation. “For each particular sector of the asset management industry, there are different qualifications to consider,” says Marc Baloch, director, financial services sector for Harvey Nash Executive Search APAC. Generally, he notes, an MBA is favoured for sales and distribution and private equity investment functions. However, for roles with hedge funds and where trading risk is involved, employers often prefer to see a CFA or Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) qualification. This latter designation has clear study and membership requirements and is recognised globally as the highest standard of achievement in alternative investment education. In the area of asset management, being qualified as a chartered accountant or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) can also provide a good foundation for fast career progress.

INDEX

EMBA

Institution

Programme Name

Page number

Columbia Business School London Business School The University of Hong Kong

EMBA-Global Asia

11

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA Program

13

Institution

Programme Name

Page number

The Chinese University of Hong Kong CUHK Business School

CUHK MBA Programs

19

City University of Hong Kong College of Business

CITYU MBA

21

Macquarie University Macquarie Graduate School of Management, Sydney

MBA, MGSM, SYDNEY

23

The University of New South Wales Business School

AGSM MBA Hong Kong Program

25

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Faculty of Business

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

27

Institution

Programme Name

Page number

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology HKUST Business School

Executive Education Programs

29

Institution

Programme Name

Page number

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Master of Social Science in Global Political Economy (MGPE) Programme

33

Lingnan University Department of Accountancy

Postgraduate Diploma in Accountancy (PGDA) (Part-Time) Master of Accountancy (MACC) (Full-Time)

35

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology HKUST Business School

MSc in Investment Management MSc in Financial Analysis

37

MBA

EXECUTIVE EDUCATION

ACCOUNTING & FINANCE


INDEX

HOSPITALITY Institution

Programme Name

Page number

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University School of Hotel and Tourism Management

Doctor of Hotel and Tourism Management

41

Institution

Programme Name

Page number

The Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts

Master of Music Master of Fine Arts in Dance Master of Fine Arts in Drama Master of Fine Arts in Cinema Production Master of Fine Arts in Theatre and Entertainment Arts

47

The Chinese University of Hong Kong Department of Anthropology

M.A. in Anthropology

49

Institution

Programme Name

Page number

The Hong Kong Institute of Education

Postgraduate Diploma In Education Programmes • PGDE (Primary) Programme • PGDE (Secondary) Programme • PGDE (Early Childhood Education) Programme • PGDE (Professional & Vocational Education) Programme

53

Institution

Programme Name

Page number

The Chinese University of Hong Kong Faculty of Law

Taught Postgraduate Law Programmes • Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) • Juris Doctor (JD) • Master of Laws (LLM)

57

ART & CULTURE

EDUCATION

LAW
