As we enter 2011, the economic outlook appears far better than it did at the beginning of last year. However, the financial meltdown that shook the world remains a painful reminder that we should never rest on our laurels.
'We are living in a world that is getting more complex, day by day,' says Professor Wong Wing-shing, dean of Chinese University's (CUHK) graduate school. 'Knowledge acquisition plays an increasingly important role in helping us address the new challenges.'
The head of one of Hong Kong's leading business schools thinks this is the right time to return to the classroom.
'The recent economic environment has been a wake-up call for all of us,' says Professor Kathleen Slaughter, dean of the Richard Ivey School of Business (Asia). 'We all have gaps in our understanding of not only the capabilities of business, but also the characteristics to be an ethical, empathetic leader.'
You can return to the classroom for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you want to fill in some gaps in your professional skill set. Maybe you want to update your professional knowledge or expertise. Or possibly, you simply want to learn something new for its own sake.
'When you lose the passion to learn something, you lose your edge,' Slaughter says. 'At the beginning of a new year, we hear a lot of people saying, 'I wish I had ...' It could be anything from learning to play the piano to pursuing a degree. This year, have a bias towards action and get on with it.'
Those wanting to return to the classroom can take short courses to fill specific gaps in their knowledge. They can also enrol in full-time or part-time programmes leading to a master's degree or even a doctorate.