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The Education Bureau (EDB) will launch the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP) tomorrow (February 9). This one-stop Internet-based service will assist Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) and Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination candidates in making advance applications for locally-accredited post-secondary programmes not covered by the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS).
Using the E-APP service, candidates will only need to complete and submit one application to apply for multiple programmes. Institutions will process E-APP applications and may give eligible candidates conditional offers before the announcement of public examination results.
The EDB will also enhance the current Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS) to assist students in programme selection and application. The new iPASS will provide details of all full-time non-JUPAS higher diploma, associate degree and degree programmes for the 2012/13 academic year, including tuition fees, entry requirements, accreditation and recognition by relevant professional bodies, and application and admission arrangements for programmes in 2012. It is expected that more than 400 post-secondary programmes will be provided, which are all locally-accredited.
An EDB spokesman today (February 8) said that the Government is committed to providing multiple and flexible pathways for our young people. He added that the Government promotes post-secondary education and nurtures talent by supporting the parallel development of both the publicly-funded sector and the self-financing sector.
"We estimate that this year, there will be more than 75 000 places for post-secondary programmes and around 35 000 places for New Project Yi Jin, vocational education and training, and other further study programmes. By and large, they should be able to meet the demand of about 100 000 HKALE and HKDSE day school candidates," the spokesman said.
"With these multiple pathways, students can plan their future by taking suitable courses in accordance with their interests, abilities and career aspirations.
"By 2015, we expect that over one-third of our young people in the relevant age group will have the opportunity to study degree programmes. Together with sub-degree places, over two-thirds of our young people will have access to post-secondary education."
The EDB is also working closely with institutions in the post-secondary education sector to further facilitate the double cohort graduates for further studies. Students who have obtained a conditional offer through E-APP or an offer through other application channels can decide which programme to study and settle the deposit for that programme by noon within four working days after the release of the public examination results. This is the first time that 24 non-JUPAS post-secondary institutions have agreed on the same timeline, enabling students to decide on their choice of programme with the most comprehensive information.
Further information on the E-APP is available at www.eapp.gov.hk. The EDB will set up a booth at the Education & Careers Expo to be held between February 9 and 12 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre showcasing the operation and benefits of the E-APP. Moreover, the Bureau will hold the 2012 Information Expo on May 12 and 13 to provide comprehensive information to secondary school graduates aspiring for further studies.
Ends/Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Issued at HKT 17:29
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