Curriculum reform up for discussion during Scottish Government visit to Hong Kong

Creating graduates for the 21st century was the subject of discussion when a Scottish Government delegation visited the University of Hong Kong yesterday (Monday 6 April).

The University of Aberdeen was represented at the event which was part of an official visit to Hong Kong and China by senior ministers of the Scottish Government.

Taking part in the discussion were Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Fiona Hyslop; Professor Lap-Chee Tsui, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong; Professor Amy Tsui, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of Hong Kong and Professor Bryan MacGregor, Vice-Principal for Curriculum Reform at the University of Aberdeen.

Also sharing their views were exchange students from Scottish universities who are currently studying at the University of Hong Kong.  

The visit followed the announcement by the University of Aberdeen last week of plans to reform undergraduate teaching, which will give graduates the advantages of restructured and enhanced degree programmes.

Commenting on the usefulness of the discussion, Professor Bryan MacGregor said: "The University of Hong Kong was one of the leading international universities that we consulted as part of our own project to reform our curriculum. Their experiences informed our own thinking in developing our proposals for enhanced degree programmes.

"I am delighted to have returned to the University of Hong Kong to hear more about how their reform project is developing, and to share our Aberdeen experiences. I am especially delighted that the Cabinet Secretary was able to join us for what was certainly a very worthwhile and productive discussion."

The University of Aberdeen and the University of Hong Kong are well established partners, with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in January 2005.  This facilitated an agreement to work together to develop greater and broader collaboration with the intention of enhancing research and educational excellence. The agreement has encouraged the academic exchange of teaching staff and students to ensure both staff and students can mutually benefit from researching and studying in overseas markets. In addition to this, the two universities also jointly deliver the MSc International Real Estate Markets, which was the first of its kind in the UK.  The course aims to meet the rapidly emerging professional and skill requirements of the property sector.