School of Education and Languages

The School of Education and Languages contributes to teacher education and the professional development of teachers in Hong Kong, language education for teachers, early childhood education (including special educational needs), and the language proficiency of OUHK students.

It offers around 40 programmes leading to qualifications from sub-degree to doctoral level. These programmes examine many aspects of the educational process – such as school curricula, policy-making and management, child and adolescent development and teaching methodologies – from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Also, the School provides programmes in English language/language education and offers language-enhancement courses to all OUHK students.

Partnership to train educational professionals

The School and the Heep Hong Society (HHS) signed an agreement in December 2011 to collaborate in developing new courses for two distance learning top-up programmes – the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education (Special Educational Needs) and Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Special Educational Needs). HHS professionals and OUHK senior academics have formed course development teams to develop four specialized courses.

English immersion programme

In June 2011, a group of 17 full-time Year 2 students from the School enhanced their language skills during the fourth English Language and Culture Immersion Programme held at the University of Warwick in the UK. Sponsored by Ms Connie Fong Yin-king, the programme consisted of seminars on cultural topics, lectures on British culture by guest speakers and cultural visits.

After-school learning support to primary school students

Some 70 students from the School applied to be tutors of the After-school Learning Support Partnership Pilot Scheme organized by the Education Bureau. The scheme enlists full-time tertiary students interested in joining the teaching profession to provide after-school homework guidance for primary school students from low-income families.

Residential school and graduation for mainland students

Seventy graduates of the Master of Education programme offered by the School in collaboration with Ningxia University attended a residential school and graduation ceremony on the OUHK campus in January 2012. Their itinerary also included seminars and visits to organizations and schools.

Putonghua education

The School’s Centre for Putonghua Education and Testing (CPET) organizes and administers the National Putonghua Proficiency Test in collaboration with the State Language and Writing Commission, and runs face-to-face non-credit-bearing short courses to prepare students to take the test. It also offers a non-credit bearing Certificate in Basic Chinese for Non-Chinese Speakers.

Drama education

Schools in Hong Kong have been increasingly using ‘drama education’ as a way of teaching and learning. Assistant Professor Dr Jack Shu Chi-yee, who is also the Course Co-ordinator of the master’s degree level course Drama in the Curriculum, has written a book in Chinese – Aptly Applied Drama: The Praxis of Educational Drama. The book covers seven main areas: drama and life, the artistic elements of drama, applied drama, the application of drama in the curriculum, theories and practices of classroom drama, assessment for learning in drama, and the drama teachers’ reflection.

School of Science and Technology

The School of Science and Technology is responsible for the presentation of programmes and courses related to science and technology management. It aims at equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the rapidly changing needs of society.

The School offers more than 60 programmes leading to the award of qualifications from the sub-degree to the postgraduate level, covering various disciplines within the broad areas of science and technology, computing, electronics and communications technology, engineering mechanics, materials and product design, environmental studies, mathematical studies, statistics and decision science, and nursing.

A wide range of new programmes

The School introduced several programmes during the year. New distance learning programmes included the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Product Design, Testing and Certification, and a Diploma programme in Applied Statistics. A professional doctorate programme – Doctor of Engineering – was also presented.

Collaborative study programmes

The School launched a part-time face-to-face Postgraduate Certificate in Enterprise Computing in collaboration with IBM China/Hong Kong Limited, and a Certificate in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering by distance learning in partnership with China Aircraft Services Limited. Also, the School and Caritas Francis Hsu College jointly offered a new full-time top-up programme for a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Web Technologies.

International conference on energy and the environment

In October 2011, ‘The International Conference on New and Renewable Energy Development – Response to Global Climate Change-cum-Cross-Strait Scientists Forum on Energy Efficiency and Management’ was co-organized by the School and academic and environmental organizations from mainland China, Taiwan, Macau and Hong Kong.

The School participated in the 2012 Macau International Environmental Co-operation Forum and Exhibition (MIECF-2012). It also collaborated with the University of Saint Joseph in Macau and the Association on Harmful Algal Blooms in the South China Sea to organize the 5th International Conference on the Prevention and Management of Harmful Algal Blooms in the South China Sea. Both events were held in March 2012.

Seminars on a variety of science- and technology-related subjects

The School invited Dr Raymond Ho Chung-tai, Legislative Councillor (Engineering) and a registered professional engineer, to give a talk on ‘Challenges for Engineering a Sustainable Hong Kong’ at the Engineering Distinguished Lecture in May 2011.

In July 2011, at a seminar on the theme ‘Nuclear Panic: Society’s Reaction to Disasters and Crises’, discussion focused on issues related to nuclear power from different perspectives. It was co-organized by the School and the Tieo Dao Worldwide Christian Media Association.

The School’s ‘Enterprise Computing: Challenges and Opportunities for IT Professionals’ seminar in August 2011 was addressed by speakers from the Hong Kong Computer Society and IBM Innovation Network, Hong Kong, as well as members of the School’s faculty.

Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPACE)

LiPACE provides and promotes flexible, high-quality lifelong learning opportunities for career advancement, personal development and general appreciation of life. It offers professional, certificate and diploma programmes, as well as workplace training. It also provides a full-time Project Yi Jin, and pre-associate degree, higher diploma and non-local degree programmes for school leavers. It has recorded an annual enrolment growth of over 30% in recent years.

Joint effort to train real estate professionals

The Midland Real Estate Professional Development Project, a collaborative venture with Midland Holdings, began in July 2011 with an industry summit entitled ‘Towards Professionalism in the Estate Agency — Challenges and Opportunities’. This was followed by the introduction of the Diploma in Real Estate Management programme, the first of its kind in Hong Kong. A series of radio programmes and public seminars was also launched.

A diversity of new programmes

A number of new programmes to meet the community’s emerging needs were introduced during the past year. Their subjects included theme parks and attractions management, tree management, food and nutrition, and sports management. New business programmes covered management accounting, personal financial planning, property management and mediation.

Among other milestones were the launch of the first Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental and Public Health programme which is accredited by the UK Chartered Institute of Environmental Health; the Bachelor of Music (Honours) in Popular Music, the first popular music undergraduate programme offered locally; and the new Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood Studies. These are presented in collaboration with Middlesex University, UK.

Professional recognition

The Institute’s Higher Diploma in Accounting programme was accredited by the Hong Kong Institute of Accredited Accounting Technicians and Institute of Certified Management Accountants, Australia.

Lifelong learning

LiPACE continued to offer courses in face-to-face, radio and e-learning modes in partnership with local non-governmental organizations under the Capacity Building Mileage Programme (CBMP). The CBMP has been in operation since 2004, with more than 13,300 women having joined the learning platform.

The first graduation ceremony for the OUHK Elder Academy – which LiPACE operates for Hong Kong citizens aged 60 or older – was held during the year. A total of 71 elderly graduates received awards. The Academy’s courses have so far attracted more than 2,400 enrolments.

20th anniversary

LiPACE is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2012. An array of activities, including seminars, an exhibition and a banquet, was planned to share the joy with students and friends.

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