Popularity boost for joint scheme
HONG KONG Polytechnic saw its second batch of successful graduates under its unique industry-led Integrated Graduate Development Scheme (IGDS), offered in collaboration with Britain's Warwick University and the Hong Kong Management Association.
The number of graduates increased by 42 per cent from 50 in 1993 to 71 this year.
Speaking at a recent ceremony, polytechnic director Poon Chung-kwong said: 'The interdependence between Hong Kong and China would grow at a rapid rate, thus creating a demand for a top-quality workforce.
'The polytechnic, which is dedicated to meeting the professional manpower requirements of Hong Kong and the region, is ready and capable of responding to such demands.
'We are eager to deliver high quality educational services to the aspiring younger generation to upgrade their professional skills, and the IGDS programme is one of the most successful collaborations in providing such educational opportunities,' said Professor Poon.
The programme, offered with support from Warwick staff, is aimed at providing a flexible part-time integrated education programme at postgraduate level for middle and senior management in commerce and industry.
The graduates, who are either chairmen, managing directors or managers of local companies, received their Master of Science awards in either Manufacturing Systems Engineering or Engineering Business Management from Professor Kumar Bhattacharrya, head of the Warwick Manufacturing Group.
Since the IGDS' first intake in 1990, applications for enrolment have continued to soar.
Currently, more than 100 companies, sponsoring an enrolment of nearly 500, are taking part in programme.
In addition to the IGDS, the polytechnic also collaborated with Warwick to offer an engineering doctorate course. A total of 24 candidates, all with industrial experience and holding key positions, registered for the programme.
