The university is excited about the extended degree format, which it sees as a great opportunity for students and faculty SINCE ITS INCEPTION in 1937, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has gone through several stages of evolution as an academic institution, while maintaining throughout its commitment to academic excellence and its philosophy of an application-oriented approach to the professional life. Come 2012, the university will enter a new phase when it switches to a four-year undergraduate programme from its present three-year structure, in line with the government revamp of Hong Kong higher education. This is a momentous step and preparation is under way as the university reviews its academic programmes and resources. While the details for the four-year structure have yet to be worked out, the university will, according to Suleyman Demokan, vice-president (academic development), continue to champion its practical application-orientated approach. Professor Demokan said the university would capitalise on the curriculum changes to make its programmes more attractive through a wide range of study choices and a more broad-based general education. One challenge would be to help students make the right curriculum choices for their four-year degree courses. Present thinking advocated devoting the first year to a foundation programme comprising common subjects covering a broad spectrum of subjects but based on the student's preferences. 'This will give students a full year to get familiar with their chosen discipline, so when they have to choose more specific streams to specialise in upon entering the second year, they will be able to make a more informed choice,' said Professor Demokan, who is also the university's chair professor of electrical engineering. The university is also reviewing ways to better implement existing initiatives under the extended curriculum, including a more student-focused teaching approach. The emphasis in this approach, the professor said, was on developing competencies such as creativity, critical thinking, leadership, team playing and problem-solving skills. This would tie in with the university's mission of creating the all-round graduate, he added. 'The major challenge for educators using this approach is how to help students develop these attributes and measure their generic competencies. We are doing more of this than other institutions, and we want to keep our lead in this.' The university is reviewing all its degree courses and double-degree programmes and encouraging the various departments to provide more such courses. The possibilities of internationalising programmes were part of the review. 'With the additional year, the new curriculum will make student exchange much more viable and attractive to students,' Professor Demokan said. 'This would not only give our students overseas exposure, but also bring us in return outstanding students from our partner institutions overseas. This would help elevate our overall academic quality and makes our campus more vibrant. This is important to our standing as an international university.' Under the four-year scheme the number of full-time undergraduate students will increase from the present 10,000 to between 12,000 and 13,000. This would also mean being able to recruit more students from the mainland. The university will increase its full scholarship value from HK$100,000 to HK$110,000 next year. The administration is also in discussion with the government to identify land for expanding the campus and building an additional student hostel to accommodate a bigger student population. The university's postgraduate programmes have proved highly popular among Hong Kong and mainland students. More than 10,000 students are enrolled for these programmes. 'We have to be very tuned in to what industry and the public need, and cater for this,' Professor Demokan said. Each department has an advisory committee, comprising industry and business representatives, that meets regularly to review the postgraduate programmes. The university also conducts surveys to determine future manpower needs. Veterinary science and geriatric care were two areas among others being considered for the setting up of new degree programmes. Professor Demokan said the university would be participating in international surveys on higher education to benchmark itself against leading universities overseas. 'We have never taken part in these surveys before, but we realise that these are becoming important references for students and parents,' he said. 'We hope that by participating we will help them better understand the university and our strengths.'