Employment rate of Hong Kong University is 99.96%

Indian students at the university, who comprise the largest group on campus after the Chinese, are making waves due to their academic acumen, says academician John Spinks

Students eyeing Hong Kong as a study destination will find many reasons to zero in on it. John Spinks, professor and director of undergraduate admissions, The University of Hong Kong (HKU), says, "The country is ranked amongst the safest cities in the world. High standards of teaching makes a degree from Hong Kong a good return on investment."

"Biggest differentiating factor is the high employment rate of graduates. At HKU, for example, graduates have achieved an unemployment rate of less than 0.4% over the last 13 years. And that includes non-local students, who can automatically obtain a work visa after graduation, and a permanent residence option three years later.

Hong Kong with the Greater Bay Area is forecast to be among the most rapidly developing economic regions over the next decade.

STUDENT DIVERSITY

Talking about student diversity, Spinks says, the University continues to promote integration across more than 100 different nationalities at HKU through social, sports and academic activities of the student residences provided by the University. "HKU also has a South Asian Student Society that organises events and celebrates festivals to share a glimpse of Indian culture and beliefs," Spinks adds.

POPULAR PROGRAMMES

Amongst Indian students, Engineering and Commerce (the latter including Business, Finance and Economics) are the two most coveted areas for bachelor's degree. "In the past few years, HKU has welcomed state and national toppers from India. This year, we admitted two nationally ranked toppers - Antra Kapoor from Gurugram and Simran Avinash Somalinga from Chennai.

Antra who scored 99.25% in ISC (Indian School Certificate Examinations) and ranked at second position in India is now pursuing International Business and Global Management while Simran, ranked at third position in India with a score of 99% in ISC, is now pursuing Biomedical Engineering.

The students have been awarded the President Scholar title and a full entrance scholarship that will cover all aspects of their university education," Spinks says.

HKU looks beyond STEM, and gives importance to other subjects. It has Indian students graduating in Journalism, Linguistics, Psychology and Sciences.

UG RESEARCH

As a research-intensive university, undergraduates at HKU often have the opportunity to work in the professors' labs, sometimes as paid research assistants, or as part of a project for credit. The university's Research Fellowship Programme funds undergraduates to work with researchers in leading universities and research institutes around the world. Students are also encouraged to work with industry leaders to generate and develop their ideas for entrepreneurial innovation.

INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES

Plans are in the pipeline to launch five new interdisciplinary degrees in 2019 for undergraduate applicants, which all link to some of the emerging areas of commercial development in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area. "These are integrated UG courses combining Arts and Sciences. The courses include: Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BASc) based on the generic theme students can choose, BASc in Applied Artificial Intelligence, BASc in Design+, BASc in Financial Technology and BASc in Global Health and Development

SCHOLARSHIP OPTIONS

Students aiming to enrol at the university can apply for Entrance Scholarships. These are awarded following creditable academic achievements in the student's school leaving examinations, and are usually renewed each academic year.


WHY HONG KONG

HONG KONG is an easier place to study than many other destinations, as it is close to home and shares some Asian commonality. Language is not a problem in classes and labs, but sometimes the English accent of professors takes a month or two for Indians to pick up (and vice versa). "Integration is facilitated by residence in University accommodation in the first year of study, where students from all nationalities live together. HKU partners with nearly 350 universities abroad for exchanges, and is setting up a series of double degrees with reputed universities around the world, and these are proving to be attractive to Indian students," Spinks adds.
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