Kuk joins SPACE college venture

The University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) is setting up a new community college with charity organisation Po Leung Kuk, providing 2,000 associate degree places in 2007.

The school has reached agreements with 50 overseas universities on recognition of its qualifications, increasing the chances of its future graduates to move on to degree studies, said Linus Cheung Wing-Lam, chairman of the HKU SPACE board of directors.

'Although local university places for associate degree students will increase next year, there will still not be enough to meet the demand,' he said.

The college will charge $39,000, the same fee charged by SPACE community college, and will be located at the PLK Headquarters at Leighton Road. Facilities will include a multimedia learning centre, visual and performance arts workshops, and language centre.

PLK vice-chairman Vincent To Wai-keung said SPACE was planning to give out 100 scholarships worth $10,000 each for outstanding students. 'This should help students manage part of the school fees,' he said.

At a Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce meeting this week, Secretary for Education and Manpower Arthur Li Kwok-cheung said community colleges had an important part to play in the government's drive to get 60 per cent of young people going in to higher education by 2010.