IT experts must constantly study and update skills to remain competitive
Keeping pace with information technology (IT) trends is not enough to compete in the fast-changing industry. One must also be capable of creating new IT systems and services tailor-made to meet people's many expectations, according to an academic.
Leung Ho-fung, professor of computer science and engineering at the Chinese University, said a senior computer programmer, or software designer, should acquire comprehensive knowledge of the scope of computer science.
'Those who have been working in the IT industry for a few years feel the urgent need to pursue further study,' Professor Leung said. 'What they learned during undergraduate study was far from enough to meet needs in their workplace today.'
The university's Master of Science in Computer Science aims at consolidating IT professionals' theoretical knowledge, practical design, and their ability in using advanced information systems. Eventually, graduates will see breakthroughs in their careers by applying advanced computer technologies into businesses more effectively and innovatively.
Launched in 1996, the master's programme has attracted more than 500 students. Most are middle-ranked IT professionals in the government or banking and finance industries. Its alumni association is well connected with the IT sector.
Chinese University was ranked 38th among the world's top 200 universities in the latest The Times higher education supplement. It also scored the highest in the category of computer science and IT among eight local universities in the research indices of the University Grants Committee's Research Assessment Exercise in 2006.
