Premier facility a 'crown jewel'

Executives who join the EMBA-Global Asia programme will be studying at the new state-of-the-art HKU Cyberport campus on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, which will be up and running by early 2009.

The HKU Business School will occupy about 40,000 sqft in a low-rise complex in the Cyberport 4 development, purpose-built for executive education and incorporating the latest systems and technology.

'This is a premier facility designed for the premier business course,' said Gary Biddle, Dean of the Faculty of Business and Economics at The University of Hong Kong. 'We looked at the best in the world and bettered it. This building is really a crown jewel.'

The facilities will include two tiered classrooms and four others with a more standard layout. There will be 16 breakout rooms for smaller group discussions and project work, and two executive lounges for private study or dining.

Each classroom and meeting room will have high-quality acoustics, and ergonomically designed and IT-friendly furniture with retractable power connections.

In keeping with the hi-tech nature of the Cyberport development, there will be wireless-enabled projectors and screens, and touch panel controls for the audio-video systems, lighting and video conferencing equipment.

Free Wi-fi access will be available everywhere on campus, with data throughput speeds of up to 12 gigabits per second (Gbps) for local links and 2.3 Gbps for international connections. And, for executives who need to keep an eye on market moves or the latest headlines, there will be high-definition plasma TVs relaying international news broadcasts and financial bulletins in the main public areas.

Programme participants travelling from overseas will find that the campus offers fast and easy access from Hong Kong International Airport and the rest of the city.

When in residence, arrangements have been made for them to stay at the five-star Le Meridien Cyberport Hotel, located just a few steps away from the main classroom complex. All the rooms are equipped with whatever could be expected in terms of comfort, convenience and hi-tech amenities.

'The benefits are clear, and everything is just perfect for executive education,' Professor Biddle said.