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SCMP Reporter

School leavers in Hong Kong generally face

two choices: studying locally or studying

abroad. A third option is growing in

popularity, thanks to the increasingly flexible

nature of the world's educational

marketplace.

Students can now cover the first half of an

undergraduate degree locally and the

second half overseas, obtaining their

diploma from one of the world's top

universities or from an exclusive liberal arts

college.

There are serveral advantages to studying

in a foreign country.

'Those who study abroad have the

opportunity to work with overseas students

and probably improve their English

standards much faster than those who study

locally,' says Stella Yu, head of academic,

Hong Kong Institute of Continuing

Education. 'In a positive way, they will

become more independent and more willing

to communicate with people from different

countries.'

Not all students, however, are mature

enough to go overseas immediately

following secondary school.

Another problem is money. Not all families

can afford to send their children overseas to

study for three years, or four if they want to

send them to the United States. It is not just

a matter of high tuition fees. They must also

come up with living expenses, and

transportation costs. Many children expect

to fly home every summer, and air fares can

add up.

Ms Yu's advice for such students is to begin

studies in Hong Kong and later transfer to

an overseas institution. Taking this

approach, students receive an associate

degree after completing the first two years

of a US-style four-year programme in Hong

Kong. They then transfer to an American

university, entering as juniors (or third-year

students) of a four-year programme.

'This may solve the problem of higher tuition

fees and accommodation charges,' Ms Yu

says. 'At the same time, it can help students

to get used to US learning styles before they

actually continue their studies abroad.'

The Hong Kong Institute of Continuing

Education administers an Associate of Arts

in General Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in

General Studies in conjunction with Indiana

University in the United States.

Students can study on a full- or part-time

basis. Studying full time, the associate

degree takes 16 months to complete. Upon

completion, students can continue their

studies in Hong Kong or transfer to the

university's main campus in Bloomington,

which is ranked among the top 2 per cent

universities in the US.

A wide range of subjects is covered, with

concentrations in accounting, the arts,

business, computing, mathematics and

psychology. Those studying in Hong Kong

get the same transcripts and certification as

those studying at the university's main

campus in Bloomington, Indiana.

The institute also offers programmes in

conjunction with Benedictine College, a

small liberal arts college in the American

heartland. An Associate of Arts in Business

Administration is available and a Bachelor

of Arts in Business Administration will be

launched in September. Subject areas

include accounting, business

communication, economics, finance,

management and marketing.

A two-week live-in at the college campus in

Kansas is included. Evaluation is based on

group presentations, quizzes and tests,

assignments, projects, attendance,

classroom discussions, and participation.

'We empower students to think for

themselves, to thirst for more knowledge,'

says Dr Daniel Carey, president,

Benedictine College. 'Our graduates go on

to succeed at incredibly high rates,

personally and professionally.'

Numerous other agencies administer

offshore programmes for universities in the

United States, Britain, Canada, Australia

and other countries.

The Asia Pacific Management Institute, for

example, offers a Bachelor of Business

Studies with Honours from the National

University of Ireland.

The programme, which can be completed in

three years, comprises 18 modules

covering such topics as general

management, accounting, financial

management, economics, organisational

behaviour, human resources, business law,

statistics and the business environment.

Assessment is based on assignments (40

per cent) and examinations (60 per cent).

Those who complete the programme

receive the same diploma as those follow it

in Ireland. They are encouraged to attend

graduation ceremonies in Dublin, although

ceremonies are held in Hong Kong as well.

'We are proud to make the BBS (Hons)

degree available in Hong Kong,' says Dr

Art Cosgrove, president of the university. 'It

is a specialist degree widely accepted in

the business world in Europe. Students

have access to the latest thinking and

practice in their chosen disciplines, and they

have the opportunity to interact with some of

the most qualified business professors in

Europe.'

With thousands of students enrolled in

hundreds of non-local degree programmes

in Hong Kong, the old warning of 'buyer

beware' applies.

Before signing up for a course, research it

thoroughly to make sure it will help you

achieve your goals.

Look at the facilities, find out who is

teaching the course and talk with students

who have completed the programme. You

should also make sure your degree is locally

recognised.

You can double-check with the Hong Kong

Council for Academic Accreditation whether

the course has been registered.



Local launch