An Australian further education and training college has joined the Hong Kong College of Technology International (HKCTI) to offer distance-learning business courses designed to pave the way for future operations in China.
Four business diploma courses now offered in Hong Kong by the Open Learning Institute of Technical And Further Education (TAFE) in Queensland may be introduced in China if the Chinese Government grants permits.
HKCTI programme development executive Flora Chan Kit-ching said: 'Both the institute and the HKCTI are interested in exploring the China market.' She said mainland academics were interested in overseas courses but had to consider the government reaction and study costs, as well as the students' level of English.
'Chinese students have to consider whether they could afford to pay the international school fees and also if their English is accomplished enough to take these courses,' she said.
HKCTI is now the sole Hong Kong examination centre for the self-study Higher Education Examination in China, a Government-administered examination.
Federation of Hong Kong Industries chairman and Special Administrative Region executive councillor Henry Tang Ying-yen said: 'This event highlights two key elements which are vital to the further development of business in Hong Kong. The first is education, the second is collaboration.
'There are many examples in Hong Kong of companies teaming up with others around the world to offer customers the best possible service or product, like the establishment of manufacturing joint ventures.