Furthur education is a must to ensure that Hong Kong advances as a knowledge-based city. Obtaining a bachelor's degree is not enough for many ambitious executives seeking a more senior position. Having a double degree or postgraduate degree is the goal of many facing keen competition and the rapid changes in knowledge and technology.
University Grants Committee figures show that 51,221 undergraduates enrolled in its 2006-2007 funded programmes, compared with 45,965 in 1996-1997. Funded programmes for research postgraduates for the past academic year were 5,465, compared with 3,353 10 years ago. There has also been a steady rise in the number of taught postgraduates - from 5,164 in 1996-1997 to 6,291 in 2004-2005. The committee grants loans to Hong Kong's eight tertiary education institutes.
Most postgraduate students are professionals, or semi-professionals, who sacrifice their days off and precious time with family to study. Their dedication and strong commitment to complete the degree enable them to enjoy the fruits of promotion and salary rises, and cherish the opportunity of sharing experience with peers from industries they are unfamiliar with.
A postgraduate degree for Simon Cua Tin-yin, an EMBA graduate of Ivey Business School and an employer, means even more than that. As managing director of Linkz International he hired two classmates, Peter Chan Cheung-tak and Stephen Ho Kuen-shun, to work for his company.
'At that time it was a coincidence that our group of companies were looking for high calibre talent to fill openings for our business development,' Mr Cua said. 'After two years of studying and working as teammates, I have better understanding of their personalities, ability and work style. I was inspired by their passion for every aspect and professionalism. I believed with advanced management training they would become competent leaders.'
Mr Chan is now the general manager - business development of Lighthouse Technologies (a sister company of Linkz Industries) and Mr Ho is the general manager of Linkz International (a subsidiary of Linkz Industries). Mr Cua said as education became popular the trend was for senior managers to hold a postgraduate degree with the belief that they could apply their expertise to work and prepare for more challenging positions.