bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Michael Taylor

Central government backing for construction of a bridge linking Hong Kong with Zuhai and Macau bodes well for Hong Kong's future as a logistics hub for southern China, an academic says.

'Premier Wen Jiabao has indicated that the central government is very supportive of building the bridge,'' says Dr Wong Yew-kee, programme director for the division of management studies and the division of marketing, HKU SPACE.

'This gives a very clear indication that Hong Kong's role as the logistics hub of the Pearl River Delta is secure.''

When it comes to logistics, Hong Kong is moving from strength to strength. It is home to the world's busiest container port. Hong Kong International Airport is No 1 in terms of international air cargo throughput.

Even during the recent  health crisis, when both tourists and businessmen  stayed away,  the logistics industry was left unscathed.

'Business for other industries dropped dramatically, but business at Kwai Chung did not drop at all,'' Dr Wong says.

The word logistics seems to be on everyone's lips these days, but what does it mean? Covering a wide spectrum of activities, logistics is defined by the Hong Kong Logistics Association as 'warehousing, distribution, purchasing, marketing, sales, customer service and materials management as well as providers of services to these functions''.

Those looking for a career or thinking of changing careers  will find not only a stable future but also many options. With opportunities in administration, manufacturing and distribution, there is room for various personality types, from creative thinkers to those with an eye for detail.

So it is no surprise that all of Hong Kong's universities and their continuing education arms have launched, or are planning to launch, programmes in logistics-related subjects. Other bodies, including the Hong Kong Logistics Association, also offer courses.

The School of Continuing Education at Baptist University of Hong Kong offers several programmes at both the bachelor and the masters level.

'It is more than just transportation, inventory and warehousing,'' Lawrence Tsang Sui-keung,  head of the school's department of business and IT studies, says. 'It is concerned as well with the internal operation, or logistics, within an organisation to achieve maximum efficiency.''

But the most comprehensive range of programmes in Hong Kong is offered by HKU SPACE, which Dr Wong calls 'your one-stop shop for logistics training''.

'We have certificate programmes, professional diploma programmes and bachelor programmes in two streams  logistics transport and business logistics,'' he says.

Business logistics covers 'soft'' issues such as marketing, business law and finance. Transport logistics covers infrastructure planning, air freight, shipping and highways.

The business logistics stream was launched in March,  with an initial intake of more than 100 students. Master's programmes in both streams are tentatively planned for an end-of-the-year launch.

A Master of Science in International Logistics and Transport will be offered in conjunction with the University of Newcastle. A Master of Logistics and Strategic Procurement will be offered in conjunction with Australia's  Curtin University.

'Students studying logistics won't have to worry about finding jobs,'' Dr Wong says.

With the Pearl River Delta's growing importance as a manufacturing base, one thing must be kept in mind. Hong Kong  with its excellent infrastructure, rules and regulations, understanding of Western management practices and accounting principles, transparent administration, respect for the rule of law, free speech and open media  will continue to play an important role in China's expanding economy.



Schools promote logic of logistics