Hong Kong is a regional hub in global trade, but only now is it in a position to offer a specialised advanced degree programme for those seeking an academic grounding in this vital subject.
A master's in international trade was launched in March this year by the University of Hong Kong School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU Space) and its long-time partner, Curtin University of Technology, based in Perth, Australia.
'Our course will be the first master's programme focusing on the international trade,' said Wong Yew-kee, HKU Space programme director, management studies division.
'There are MBAs or economics degrees with classes in international trade offered in Hong Kong, but they are not specialised.'
HKU Space also had certificate and diploma programmes in international trade, but these were basic, practical courses; the master's programme would cover in-depth theory and the practical aspects of international trade, and global economic issues, with an emphasis on Asia-Pacific markets, especially China, Mr Wong said.
It was felt that an academic programme of this kind made sense now that China was part of the WTO and economies in the region were booming.