Campus Digest

HKBU shares with journalists on latest development at Spring Media Reception

14 Feb 2017

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President Roland Chin (back row, fifth from right) is joined by Vice-Presidents, Associate Vice-Presidents and faculty members at the media gathering
A student of the Academy of Visual Arts draws a portrait of President Roland Chin

 

The University held a spring media reception last Friday (10 February) at which President Roland Chin, Vice-Presidents and Associate Vice-Presidents shared with the media on the University’s latest development projects. These include the establishment of the First-Generation University Student Fund, the Elite Athletes Admission Scheme, the HKBU Admission Scholarship Scheme for Outstanding South and South East Asian Ethnic Minority Students (EMSS) and a “2+2” double degrees undergraduate programme to be offered jointly with an overseas university.



Speaking at the reception, President Roland Chin and Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning), said that according to a US study, first-generation university students from financially less well-off family backgrounds might have an unfavourable development path as they could not afford extra-curricular activities and other learning experiences. In this regard, HKBU will establish the First-Generation University Student Fund in the 2017-18 academic year to provide financial assistance to those students whose parents have not received post-secondary or university education. Each eligible student will be offered a scholarship of HK$15,000 for participating in overseas exchange and learning programmes as well as consultations on the learning arrangements. It is expected that about 300 students will benefit from this initiative annually.



The University also launched the EMSS, the first of its kind among local universities, to encourage and support outstanding local ethnic minority students to pursue studies in undergraduate programmes. Eligible students will be awarded scholarships to cover full tuition fees and will be provided with an additional allowance of HK$10,000 to enable them to participate in overseas exchange programmes. They will also act as cultural ambassadors to promote a diversified culture both on campus and in the community.



Professor Franklin Luk, Vice-President (Academic), said that HKBU will be launching a “2+2” double degrees programme with a university in Canada. It is expected that students will be able to study courses at the two universities and awarded degrees from both institutions upon four years of study.



Regarding campus development, Mr Andy Lee, Vice-President (Administration) and Secretary, explained that the University is planning to build a new hostel and academic building complex at the northern portion of the former Lee Wai Lee campus, providing 1,700 hostel places and 6,900 square metres of academic/sports facilities. It is hoped that the application for funding could be approved by the Legislative Council in the next fiscal year. A study of the phased in situ redevelopment of the Ho Sin Hang campus is also under way.



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