DISCOVER HKBU
HKBU’s curriculum reforms set a new milestone for transdisciplinary education
29 Nov 2024
HKBU will introduce curriculum reforms in the 2025/26 academic year, with a strong focus on transdisciplinary education and a revamp of its General Education curriculum to address the evolving needs of society and the job market. The reforms include the launch of the new Bachelor of Arts and Science (Hons) in Digital Futures and Humanities, seven new Transdisciplinary Second Majors (TSM), two Second Majors (SM), two two-year articulation degree programmes, and a new major in Sports Science within the existing Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in the Physical Education and Recreation Management programme. This initiative aims to equip students with adaptability, multiple skills, and a competitive edge for their future careers.
Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning), emphasised that the reforms reflect HKBU’s vision and its due consideration of the social needs in the future. He said, “Our vision is characterised by the integration of knowledge and perspectives of different disciplines, and a transsectoral collaboration to tackle real-life issues and challenges. Focus is placed on solution-based and contextualised learning, with authentic assessment to provide students with feedback on the learning process, apart from the outcome.”
Transdisciplinary programme bridging technology and humanities
The newly launched Bachelor of Arts and Science in Digital Futures and Humanities integrates cutting-edge technology with the humanities, offering courses in global challenges, digital futures, humanities and digital technologies. The programme plans to admit 40 students and includes internship opportunities.
Dr Sammy Li, Programme Director, said, “We aim to cultivate students who can understand data and technology while upholding humanistic values, such as ethical considerations in artificial intelligence (AI). These elements complement each other and drive the future development of digital technologies.” Graduates are expected to not only excel in traditional fields such as arts, culture, and public administration, but also in emerging roles such as digital content strategists and policy analysts.
Innovative Transdisciplinary Second Majors
Additionally, HKBU will introduce seven TSMs, covering areas such as Cultural Industry Management, Creative Industry Management, Digital Entertainment, Interactive Media Publishing, Green Technology and Sustainability Management, Applied AI for Sustainable Society, and Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, blending academic knowledge with practical applications.
Besides, two new SMs, namely AI and Data Science and Testing Sciences, will be introduced to allow students to gain in-depth knowledge from another discipline to complement the first major, enhancing their versatility and employability.
Addressing the rising demand for professionals
HKBU will also launch two new two-year articulation programmes: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sports Industry Management and Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Interactive Media Publishing, starting from the next academic year. The sports management programme combines business and sports knowledge, responding to the needs of Hong Kong’s sports industry and business, while the interactive media programme aims to nurture future leaders in digital publishing, visual communication and online communication.
A new major in Sports Science will be introduced to the existing Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Physical Education and Recreation Management programme starting from 2025/26, offering transdisciplinary courses covering topics such as sports physiology, AI and big data, and orthopaedics and traumatology of Chinese medicine.
Regarding revamp of the General Education curriculum, a new course on "AI Innovation for Social Good” will be introduced, with the objective to equip students with technological skills and a strong ethical awareness, nurturing their AI literacy. The University will also incorporate elements of "Transcultural Education" into various General Education courses.
Diversified learning opportunities
HKBU’s transdisciplinary approach has created meaningful opportunities for students to grow. Emily Ng Man-hei, a second-year student in the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Business Administration (Global Entertainment) programme, shared, “The Global Challenges course has inspired me to explore environmental issues through music. It also taught me how to use arts and music to engage peers with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and collaborate with people from diverse fields.”
Similarly, Eunice Lee Ching-ching, a third-year student in the Bachelor of Arts and Science (Hons) in Arts and Technology, reflected on her journey. Initially with insufficient mastery on technology applications, she learned coding and began integrating AI and computer technology into her art projects. “I have started using sound effects to enhance my art, which has completely transformed my creative process and shown me the possibilities of merging art and technology,” she said.