Press Release
HKBU introduces undergraduate curriculum reforms in 2025/26 with new transdisciplinary programmes and second majors to attain a new milestone in transdisciplinary education
Wednesday, 13 November 2024
Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is dedicated to promoting transdisciplinary education in recent years to nurture future-shaping students. In the 2025/26 academic year, the University will introduce curriculum reforms to broaden its transdisciplinary education and revamp its General Education curriculum.
New programmes and study arrangements to be introduced include the launch of the transdisciplinary undergraduate programme Bachelor of Arts and Science (Hons) in Digital Futures and Humanities; seven Transdisciplinary Second Majors (TSM) and two Second Majors (SM); two two-year (for articulation by Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programme graduates) transdisciplinary programmes namely Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sports Industry Management and Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Interactive Media Publishing; and a new major in Sports Science within the existing Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in the Physical Education and Recreation Management programme.
Transdisciplinary education with flexible curriculum
Dr Albert Chau, Vice-President (Teaching and Learning) of HKBU said, “In line with its vision and with due consideration of the social needs and grand trends in the future, HKBU has developed a dedicated strategy to advance transdisciplinary teaching and learning. It 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.”
In 2022/23, HKBU materialised this transdisciplinary approach by launching four undergraduate programmes, including three transdisciplinary programmes and one individualised major. Building on the pedagogical innovations thereafter, HKBU has reconstructed a flexible and adaptive undergraduate curriculum, so that students can be better prepared for future challenges by “mixing-and-matching” different curricular components, majors, and second majors according to their personal aspirations.
“Starting from 2022/23, HKBU has offered students three learning pathways, including the structured, transdisciplinary, and personalised pathways. In the 2025/26 academic year, the proportion of students taking the transdisciplinary learning pathway will be increased to 30% from the current figure of about 10%,” Dr Chau added.
Transdisciplinary programme in response to a digital future
The Bachelor of Arts and Science (Hons) in Digital Futures and Humanities programme to be launched in 2025/26 aims to educate forward-looking graduates who are well-versed in the essential knowledge of humanities and digital technologies. Students will learn to analyse and develop policies to foster positive impact of technology deployment, and manage innovation projects with strategic consideration of human factors for successful digital transformation.
Students of the programme will take core courses covering topics of global challenges, digital futures, humanities, and digital technologies. They will also take elective courses and select a study option from three areas of study: (1) Creativity and Culture, (2) Innovation, Policy and Value, and (3) Innovation Project Management. Apart from internship opportunities, the programme also adopts solution-based learning and students will complete multiple collaborative real-life projects in the industries. Students will work alongside professors, professionals and other students in the process of co-creation to shape the technological development for the benefit of all communities.
Transdisciplinary second majors cater to talent needs
Another important initiative of HKBU in creating a more flexible curriculum in line with its transdisciplinary approach is the launch of TSMs and SMs. Students will have the opportunity to take a TSM or SM on top of their first major.
TSMs are geared towards particular talent needs in Hong Kong, allowing students from different majors to apply their knowledge collaboratively to meet industry needs and excel in different careers. Seven TSMs will be introduced in 2025/26, covering (1) Cultural Industry Management, (2) Creative Industry Management, (3) Digital Entertainment, (4) Interactive Media Publishing, (5) Green Technology and Sustainability Management, (6) Applied AI for Sustainable Society, and (7) Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management.
Meanwhile, SMs prepare students to gain in-depth knowledge from another discipline to complement the first major. The two SMs that will be available in 2025/26 are (1) AI and Data Science and (2) Testing Sciences.
New two-year programmes address talent demand
HKBU will also launch two brand new two-year transdisciplinary programmes in 2025/26 to address the surging demand for talent in the sports and interactive media industries.
The Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Sports Industry Management is a unique programme that offers a comprehensive education in the sports industry and business. It aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to succeed in the dynamic sports industry, preparing them for prosperous careers and leadership roles within this field. On the other hand, the Bachelor of Communication (Hons) in Interactive Media Publishing aims to nurture talents with the vision to lead and the knowledge to drive development towards a sustainable and competitive future in digital publishing, visual communication and online communication.
Regarding the existing Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Physical Education and Recreation Management programme, a new major in Sports Science will be introduced starting from 2025/26. In collaboration with the Faculty of Science and the School of Chinese Medicine, the new major will offer transdisciplinary courses covering topics such as sports physiology, AI and big data, and orthopaedics and traumatology of Chinese medicine.
General Education to include courses on AI
In addition, HKBU will revamp its 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.
Detailed admission information on the programmes offered by HKBU, including the new programmes offered in 2025/26, can be found at https://admissions.hkbu.edu.hk/en/.
- End -
