Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, HKUST -- Hong Kong
In slightly less than a decade, the School of Business and Management at HKUST has grown from the ground up into a world-renowned business school. The School was the first and only Asian school to be accredited by the European Quality Improvement Systems of the European Foundation for Management Education. In April 1999, HKUST was one of the first two Asian business schools to be accredited by AACSB - the International Association for Management Education.
Strong emphasis is placed on scientific and analytical methods as the fundamental pedagogical approach, supplemented by the use of case studies appropriate to Hong Kong and its neighboring region. The School takes full advantage of the University's state-of-the-art technological capabilities in its instruction and research.
The University provides amenities for group and individual student activities including photographic dark rooms, music rooms and studios, meeting rooms, workshops, office space and exhibition areas. Common rooms, TV rooms and reading rooms are available for leisure activities. The University offers many sports and recreational activities both indoor and outdoor.
Location
The University campus occupies a 60-hectare (150-acre) site of sweeping natural beauty on the Clear Water Bay peninsula in East Kowloon, less than 30 minutes from central Hong Kong.
With a population topping six million people, Hong Kong is a cultural crossroads where east meets west and old traditions co-exist with new. From the vantage point of Victoria Peak, overlooking the world's busiest deepwater port, you can see a city geared not only to making money but feeling good about it. It is a gateway to China and a hub of international transportation, communication and commerce. Despite its British colonial past, Hong Kong has always stuck to its roots and the culture beneath the glitz is pure Chinese. Visitors often find it takes a few days in Hong Kong to get accustomed to the whirlwind pace.
Approximate Term Dates:
Fall (Fall Semester): September – December
Winter (Spring semester): Late January – May
*Orientation is held one day before the start of the semester.
Academic Information
The courses generally comprise of lectures, case analyses, class presentations, and written papers or projects. Class sizes are 30-40 students.
Exchange students have the same freedom in course selection as regular students. They can take any course offered by the university as long as they can meet the prerequisite requirements of the course and there are vacancies available.
Credit Equivalency
4 HKUST courses (16 credits) = 5 SSB courses (15 credits)
Language
English
Although many Chinese in Hong Kong can speak English due to increased tourism and trade in recent years, it should not be assumed that one could successfully integrate speaking only English. Investing in a Cantonese phrasebook or language course is advisable.
Facilities
Classroom instruction is augmented by the university’s modern facilities. The HKUST computing network is a high-speed "backbone" connecting computer terminals in all campus buildings. Moreover, high performance servers are also available to supply central resources and network services.
Other advanced teaching facilities include the following, each of which is equipped with ceiling mounted video projector and audio-visual equipment. The Computerized Case Laboratory features advanced audio-visual and video-conferencing facilities. A Multimedia Laboratory consists of advanced AV equipment, high performance workstations and peripherals; all housed in a special acoustically designed room. The Behavioral Lab consists of many breakout rooms, a lecture theatre and a central control room with surveillance cameras, intercom devices, etc to facilitate teaching and research on human behaviors. Other laboratories include the Simulation Lab, the Faculty Research Lab, and the Financial Market Lab.
Type/Availability of Accommodation
On-campus housing is guaranteed for exchange students. On-campus options for undergraduates are double occupancy, with either a regular double room or bunk beds. There are also university apartments that are considerably more expensive.
The International Student Services office does not assist with off-campus housing. If students prefer this type of accommodation, they will need to acquire housing on their own.
Health Insurance
Schulich students are advised to arrange their own medical insurance for additional coverage. The on-campus Medical Clinic provides free out-patient services to all full-time students.
Visa
For visa information contact:
Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Toronto
240 St. George St
Toronto, ON
M5R 2P4
Tel: (416) 964-2387, (416) 324-6466
Fax: (416) 324-9010
Web site: http://toronto.china-consulate.org
International Office
The International Student Services (ISS), operating within the Student Affairs Office (SAO), provides services that assist international students with integrating into their new surroundings. The center works with the student organization, AIESEC, to organize extracurricular activities for the exchange students. For more information on the services that ISS provides, please visit: http://www.ab.ust.hk/sao/iss/
Cost of Living
(Exchange Rate Link http://www.bank-banque-canada.ca/english/exchform.htm)
Further Research
The official Web site of HKUST is:
http://www.bm.ust.hk
*For more information on Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), please visit the Resource Library in Room W263.