Established in 2010, the Graduate School of the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) supports the institute in the management and quality assurance of its higher-degree programmes. Professor Winnie So Wing-mui, Graduate School associate dean and head of the HKIEd’s Department of Science and Environmental Studies, says the institute offers professional enhancement and research training for people interested in education and related disciplines. The HKIEd’s offerings include both research postgraduate programmes (PhD and MPhil), and taught postgraduate programmes, such as the Master of Education (MEd) and the Doctor of Education (EdD). It also offers a number of Master of Arts courses. Students in research postgraduate programmes receive training in research skills and conduct independent research under the guidance of a team of renowned supervisors. Candidates are also expected to publish their findings and participate in conferences and other academic activities. Explaining the need for higher-degree education programmes, So says many people working in education want to be promoted, such as from a lecturer to an assistant professor in a college or university. Others hope to change their working environment, from a primary or secondary school to a tertiary institution. The qualification standards of these promotions always require higher degrees, such as doctorates. So says doctorate programmes meet the needs of various career aspirations. “Some people reach a crossroads in their life and decide higher education will provide them with more options,” she says. Others choose higher education as part of a strategic plan to achieve a senior position. She adds that a higher-degree programme can also boost confidence. “In a rapidly changing world where there is intense competition for senior positions, a master’s degree or doctorate is a good way to add a competitive edge,” says So. Higher education programmes can also be used to make career changes. For example, So says someone who has completed his or her master’s degree majoring in sports may decide not to work in the sports sector. Instead, a person could aim for a doctor of education degree, which would enable him to move into a sports-teaching position or an academic job in higher education. So says the education sector is an area that constantly requires the upgrading of skills and knowledge. “Our [EdD] programme is designed for educators and professionals working in the different education settings who aspire to extend their expertise in a particular area of study,” says So, adding that the programme is structured to enrich professional knowledge in various educational contexts, and to enhance research skills. “HKIEd’s faculty of world-class professors provides academic supervision and assists students.” The EdD programme, offered full time and part time, requires students to acquire 72 credit points. Students can also choose a specialised study area, such as early childhood education, life and values education, music, developmental and educational psychology, health studies, special education, as well as information and communication technology in education. According to So, it normally takes three years for full-time students to complete the programme and four years for part-time students. To enrich students’ knowledge in their chosen field and to build up their research skills, taught courses are offered during the first year of their programme. “Taught programmes have been designed with a view to combine specialist study and a broad-based training in professional reflection, assessment, and research methods,” says So. She says taught programmes include courses on quantitative and qualitative research methods, conceptualising research, and developing a research proposal. Students also get help in preparing a thesis proposal. “As soon as students successfully complete their core and specialised courses, they can start writing their thesis under the guidance of their supervisors,” says So.
