External advisors counselled on the future of the Division of Business Management (DBM) at the third meeting of its Advisory Committee on 12 December.
The meeting was presided over by Committee Chairman Mr Lui Tim Leung, Partner of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Deputy of the National People’s Congress.
UIC President Prof Ng Ching-Fai said that UIC has developed a Comprehensive Evaluation System for student recruitment in Guangdong since last academic year. The system has decreased reliance on the National College Entrance Examination scores, and set a significant example for reform of university admission.
He also told that a new campus is scheduled for 2016 with a capacity of 6,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students. It will boost the development of Huitong Village, a neighbouring heritage village.
Convener Dean of DBM Prof Stella Cho informed the Committee that a new curriculum accreditation by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) is in progress. The final approval for subject syllabus amendment is expected to be completed by February.
“The real number of students recruited by DBM has exceeded recommendation. Accounting, Finance and Applied Economics were the most sought-after majors.” Prof Cho believes that the over-recruitment reflects the market demand.
Members of the Committee discussed and advised on the said topics. The issue of students’ internship was a major concern.
Three DBM programmes include internships as one of the courses, in correspondence with the HKBU syllabus. However, DBM is inclined to convert it to a required course. Better connections with major companies for internship opportunities would become necessary if this case.
Current internships include offers by the Division, offers by social organisations, and internships found on an individual basis. A survey tells that 63% of Year Three students have internship experience. Committee member Mr Sunny Chen revealed that he is willing to arrange internships for UIC students in accounting firms in Zhuhai.
The members also considered the feasibility of professional and executive training programmes in the UIC Hengqin Research Development Centre.
The Advisory Committee learns about the possible design of UIC’s new campus
After the meeting, Committee Chairman Mr Lui Tim Leung praised that since its establishment DBM has greatly developed itself as a faculty and in other academic fields. “It’s not easy to come to what DBM has become right now. I respect and admire the staff for their efforts.”
He believes DBM has everything a division needs to become outstanding. “Step by step, it will certainly reach another level,” he added.
The external members present included Ms Carrie Leung, CEO of the Hong Kong Institute of Bankers; Mr Eric Tang, Partner of Deloitte; Mr Gang Luo, Chairman of the Hong Kong Baptist University MBA (China) Alumni Association; Mr Peter Kung, Partner of KPMG; and Mr Sunny Chen, President of BDO China Shu Lun Pan Certified Public Accountants LLP Guangdong Branch.
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| (From left) Mr Lui Tim Leung, Ms Carrie Leung and Mr Eric Tang |
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| (From left) Mr Gang Luo, Mr Peter Kung and Mr Sunny Chen |
The internal members were Dr Anthony Tsui, Acting Associate Dean and Programme Director of the Marketing Management Programme; and Dr Herman Tan, Programme Director of the Management of Human Resources Programme.
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| Dr Anthony Tsui, Dr Herman Tan, and Acting Programme Director of Applied Economics Dr May Wang |
Reporter: Chiu Wen Chin
Photographer: Chen Gong
Editor: Deen He
(from MPRO, with special thanks to the ELC)
