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The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) and Hong Kong University
of Science and Technology (HKUST) will jointly offer a brand new
suite of teacher education degree programmes in key science subjects
and in science education. Prof Paul Chu, President of HKUST, and
Prof Paul Morris, President of HKIEd, signed a three-year agreement
for academic collaboration between the two institutions on 29 January.
The institutions agreed to contribute professional input to teaching,
exchange of students and the organisation of joint conferences and
seminars. They also agreed to explore possible collaboration in
various other forms of teacher education, academic support and administrative
services.
The four-year, full-time Bachelor of Science programme
which provides Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Science
Education as major subjects will begin in September this year. From
year two onwards, students will receive professional teacher education
in addition to their academic studies. The education modules, amounting
to approximately one year's study, will include practice at secondary
schools for students to gain hands-on teaching experience. Graduates
will be granted a Bachelor of Science degree by HKUST, and will
be eligible for Qualified Teacher Status.
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This is the second collaborative agreement between the HKUST and
HKIEd since 2000. The first agreement launched the joint offering
of a four-year full-time degree programme 'Bachelor of Science in
Mathematics (Mathematics and IT Education), in September 2001. A
total of 72 students are currently enrolled in this programme. Kwok
Chi-fai, one of the second year students in the programme was interviewed
during the agreement signing ceremony. He spoke of how he can broaden
his horizons by enjoying the resources and facilities of both campuses
and benefiting from being taught by staff of both institutions.
The new programme will help achieve the goal of preparing
outstanding secondary school teachers with substantial subject knowledge
and expertise in science education.
Student representatives from the two Institutions
join hands with Prof Morris, President of HKIEd (left), and Prof
Chu, President of HKUST (right) at the signing ceremony
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