The Review 2006

The Review 2006 14 The Review 2006 15 The quality of our programmes is also attracting growing interest from overseas students and those outside the local mainstream school system. Applications from this group rose 31 per cent in 2005-06 to 7,570. We admitted 395 international students from 50 countries to regular degree programmes. As with Mainland students, our intake is limited. Nevertheless, the growing appeal of our programmes to students outside Hong Kong has placed us in healthy competition with the world’s best universities. New Horizons in Learning The University seeks to offer demanding, student-centred programmes based on the most modern and effective pedagogy and teaching tools. The move to a four-year undergraduate curriculum in 2012 is an excellent opportunity to revisit these goals and inject elements that will also enhance students’ abilities to cope with new and unexpected situations. Emphasis will be placed on encouraging a flexible approach to studies so students can cross disciplines, extend learning outside the classroom and gain a rounded education. Physically we need to be prepared for enrolment to expand by at least one- third, and hopefully more if our student intake from outside Hong Kong is allowed to increase. A campus expansion plan has been proposed, as described in the Growing with the Times chapter. Its configuration is intended to promote learning outside the traditional classroom setting and facilitate student interaction and collaboration. The curriculum must also be reviewed. In 2006 we began the process of proposing ideas and consulting with staff. Choice will be a central element of the new curriculum. Students will still specialise but we want them to achieve greater balance and variety in their learning. We also want them to have a wealth of experience either by placement abroad or through performing community or social service in Hong Kong. Stephen Luo Jia Yun is a Year 2 LLB student from Shanghai. “The relationship between teachers and students at HKU is quite close and relaxed. Students are encouraged to solve problems they might encounter in their future careers, not just pass exams, and there are many extracurricular activities that we can join. The international environment created by the use of English and the large number of foreign students on campus also helps to prepare us for the future.”