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To meet the mounting demand for top-up degree programmes for Associate Degree and Higher Diploma holders, the School of Professional Education and Executive Development (SPEED) of PolyU yesterday (7 April) introduced three new BA programmes in Applied Sociology, Bilingual Communication and Business, scheduled to commence classes this September.

A leader in Hong Kong’s continuing education, SPEED will soon extend its top-up degree programmes from four to seven. In addition to the three new programmes, the existing top-up programmes offered by SPEED are BAs in Applied and Media Arts, Housing Management, Marketing and Public Relations, and Travel Industry Management.

Dr Dennis Chan, Acting Director of SPEED, said, “Since 2003/04, more than 1,200 full-time and part-time students have been admitted to our Bachelor’s degree programmes. As more and more students deem AD an ideal option for further study, SPEED takes the lead in introducing specialized top-up programmes for learners of various disciplines.”

SPEED’s BA in Applied Sociology is designed for HD and AD graduates in Sociology or related disciplines and provides them with macro and micro sociological theories and methods and the relationship between theories and real work situation. Students are required to attend a practicum or practical subjects to enhance their understanding about the industry.

Leveraging on PolyU’s strength in language and communications, BA in Bilingual Communication is introduced to provide learners a systematic approach to linguistic and cultural issues in bilingual communication. Graduates can further pursue careers in the industries of communications, mass media, publishing, translation and public relations.

The ongoing integration between Hong Kong and the Chinese mainland leads to a call for trained professionals from the business sector. BA in Business equips learners with the necessary knowledge and competencies to become a truly business professional, especially in the areas of International Business and Professional Finance.

Founded in 1999, SPEED aims to spearhead lifelong learning by offering over 20 full-time and part-time programmes and 200 short courses. Many of them are included in the list of “reimbursable courses” under the Continuing Education Fund. In 2000, a flexible learning framework known as Credit Accumulation Mechanism (CAM) was set up to help mature learners to study at their own pace and accumulate credits valid for lifetime. Currently, over 8,000 learners have registered under CAM.

All three new programmes can be completed within one and half years. For more programme information or application details, please visit SPEED’s website at www.speed.polyu.edu.hk or call its enquiry hotline at 3400 2828.

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