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Following is the transcript of remarks by the Secretary for Education, Mr Eddie Ng Hak-kim, at a media session after attending an announcement ceremony today (March 18) for the pilot scheme on the articulation of Hong Kong sub-degree graduates to top-up degree programmes offered by Huaqiao University:
Reporter: Secretary, could you tell us more about the scheme? How do you feel it will provide additional opportunities and how many students can expect to benefit? My second question is there is some concern because the Mainland education system is different from the Hong Kong education system. How will we be able to translate or apply? As, specifically, the syllabuses for certain subjects are very different here, how can students going over there for further education be able to further their education properly?
Secretary for Education: The first question relates to: it has been our education objective to provide multi-pathway and multi-options for our students in order to have the options of either further studies or going to join the workplace based on their ability, based on their preference and based on their interests. On this particular count, we have been able to provide, particularly for the associate degree graduates, one (of the options) - the self-financing sector providing altogether about 12 000 places so they can choose among those 12 000 places. For the subsidised university places, we have been able to provide up to now around 5 000 places every year in order for those associate degree graduates who have demonstrated again their ability and their interest in further studies to be able to have the option to go back to subsidised university education.
As far as the matching is concerned, we understand the differences in terms of the education systems and the credit points and the universities' differences. For that reason, this is a pilot scheme with Huaqiao University. The major objective is to try out. It is not for every programme. It is not for every individual. That is why we spent a lot of time - I really need to thank Huaqiao University for spending a lot of time with 17 local institutes in order to work out the matching. Each process is professional and in compliance with education requirements.
(Please also refer to the Chinese portion of the transcript.)
Ends/Friday, March 18, 2016
Issued at HKT 18:33
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