The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) hosted Information Days 2011 to provide first-hand information to applicants for the University’s undergraduate degree programs in view of the double cohort in 2012 and the 3-3-4 education reform. The number of visitors had a record high of over 42,000 during this two-day event with overwhelming response.
This year, HKUST widened the scope and enriched the content of its Information Days especially for applicants taking the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) and the first Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) on 24 and 25 September respectively. Ms Michelle Li, Deputy Secretary for Education, Education Bureau, was invited to speak on how 21st century tertiary education helps students prepare for the challenges from Hong Kong, Mainland and globalization.
HKUST’s Information Days 2011 featured a wide range of seminars and consultation sessions during which secondary students learned about admissions and programs offered by the Schools of Science, Engineering, Business and Management, Humanities and Social Science and the Interdisciplinary Programs Office. There were introductions to career services and graduate employment.
To give visitors an overview of HKUST, the University staged exhibitions on HKUST’s 20th Anniversary and its Mobile Real-time Air Monitoring Platform, a vehicle used extensively in Hong Kong to monitor roadside air pollution. Visitors also enjoyed performances and sharings by HKUST students and learned about the dynamic campus life at the University.
“With extended Information Days, HKUST aims to give HKALE and HKDSE students as well as non-JUPAS applicants the opportunities to learn about our undergraduate program offerings and their own aspirations in advance, thus enabling them to make the best choices and preparations for the future,” said HKUST’s Associate Provost and Dean of Students Prof Kar-yan Tam.
In 2012, HKUST will be introducing School-based admission and deferred declaration of majors to give students greater flexibility and more time to explore their interests and career aspirations. HKUST’s broad-based and credit-based University Common Core, which encompasses Arts and Humanities, Social Analysis, Science and Technology, Quantitative Reasoning, English and Chinese Communication and the non-credit Healthy Lifestyle area, fosters personal development and delivers holistic education. HKUST will put stronger emphasis on inquiry-based learning, undergraduate research opportunities, meaningful co-curricular activities and international exchange to nurture well-rounded future leaders.
“In view of the double cohort and the new 4-year curriculum, HKUST will further enhance our intensive academic advising and mentoring system for students. We are confident that our students will be able to make informed and sound choices regarding their academic and career paths as well as their personal development,” added Prof Tam.
Riding on the success of HKUST’s 3-year undergraduate curriculum, the University is confident to deliver top-notch 4-year programs in 2012 and beyond. HKUST’s current programs have been positively evaluated by the Quality Assurance Council of the University Grants Committee, which commends the University on various aspects including its teaching quality, frequent interactions among students and professors, and its mentoring system for students. HKUST is ready for 4-year undergraduate reform to provide all-rounded education and nurture new generations of talents.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Kit Yip
Tel: 2358 6313
Email: kityip@ust.hk
