PolyU adopts OBE as an institutional strategy to further enhance and assure the quality of our programmes and outcomes. Our model of OBE embodies four dynamically related focuses [Figure 1].

Figure 1: OBE model practiced at PolyU

In PolyU's Strategic plan, it lists the desired graduate attributes expected of PolyU's graduates at undergraduate level, and these attributes were articulated into institutional student learning outcomes. As a tradition, all PolyU programmes have clearly specified in their Definitive Programme Documents the programme aims and objective, taking into consideration the University’s overarching teaching and learning objectives for the award level, professional accreditation requirements, as well as the needs and expectations of the industry and society. Thus, the foundation for an outcome-based education had been laid much earlier than 2004 when PolyU launched the Curriculum Revision to move towards OBE formally.

Since 2004, PolyU has taken various actions to address the four focuses of our OBE model. At the same time, we have introduced changes at the system level to enable and sustain institution-wide impact.

The following time-charts summarise the milestones under three headings:

1. Enhancing programme quality for achieving learning outcomes
2. Learning outcomes assessment
3. System level development in OBE

Enhancing programme quality for achieving learning outcomes

Underpinned by the OBE model, our Curriculum Revision in 2004 emphasized a clear articulation of intended student learning outcomes and the alignment of teaching, learning and assessment with them.

Learning outcomes assessment

As an integral part of our efforts in pursuing OBE, we have developed and implemented a two-tier Institutional Learning Outcome Assessment Plan to strengthen the systematic collection, review and use of outcomes data for continual quality improvement.

System level development in OBE

In parallel with the development of OBE at programme and subject levels, we have also introduced changed at the system level to enable and sustain institution-wide impact.