Hong Kong has always been at the forefront of introducing new technology, and the education sector here is no exception.
The ability to take educational programmes through online learning has enabled universities worldwide to reach out across the globe to students everywhere. High-speed broadband connections have enabled students to 'attend' lectures anywhere in the world, and to meet, network and learn from faculty and fellow students from dozens of nations.
Not only has online learning allowed schools and students to transcend borders, it has also given those people whose hectic work or family lives have restricted their ability to take further learning programmes a chance to learn from home or the office, and in their own time.
Hong Kong CyberU is the online arm of Polytechnic University, and provides web-based programmes leading to academic awards such as postgraduate degrees. Launched in August 2000, its courses aim to fulfil the needs of working professionals through part-time studies which offer students maximum flexibility.
Among the postgraduate courses on offer are the master's programmes in e-commerce, information systems, knowledge management, project management and software technology.
'CyberU excels in a blended delivery of face-to-face plus online programmes,' says Eric Tsui, professor and associate director, Knowledge Management Research Centre, at Polytechnic University.