| Message from the Director |
 Established in 1965, the School of Continuing and Professional Studies of The Chinese University of Hong Kong distinguishes itself by its long history and comprehensive programmes. Over the past four decades, the School has nurtured over a million students, many of whom have become leaders in different professions and in the society today. We pride ourselves on maintaining a high standard on all programmes we offer, with our award-bearing programmes approved by the Senate of the University and all awards conferred by the University.
The School strives to provide quality professional and higher education to working professionals and secondary school leavers through a theoretical and practical learning approach. In 2002, the School launched its full-time Higher Diploma programmes in support of the government's initiative in enhancing access to higher education. We are committed to providing secondary school leavers, who may not directly benefit from the traditional routes of university entry, with greater career and higher education opportunities.
Over the years, our Higher Diploma programmes have increasingly diversified and the number of our students has grown continuously. Four new Higher Diploma programmes will be introduced in 2009, namely Higher Diploma Programme in Professional Accounting, Higher Diploma Programme in Applied Korean Language and Culture, Higher Diploma Programme in Chinese as well as Higher Diploma Programme in Health Products Management. With these new programmes, the School will be offering a total of 23 Higher Diploma programmes this year, spanning across six disciplines, including Art and Design, Business and Management, Information Technology, Languages and Communication, Social Sciences and Public Administration, and Health Care.
We have a team of dedicated and experienced academic staff. Their expertise and our high quality programmes have helped to nurture outstanding students whose performances are recognized locally as well as internationally. Last September, a graduate of our Higher Diploma Programme in Commercial Design won the Hong Kong champion in an online design competition organised by international designer label FENDI. Our graduate's creative work was regarded highly by renowned international designer Ms Silvia Venturini FENDI, a judge of the competition and grand-daughter of FENDI's founder. Our graduate represented Hong Kong to go to Italy for an in-depth exchange tour with numerous world-class designers. The event captured wide-spread media attention and the School was proud of the student's remarkable performance.
To enhance access to degree studies, the School has signed articulation agreements with more than 40 renowned universities overseas and in the Mainland. Graduates of our Higher Diploma programmes may articulate to the senior years of undergraduate programmes either locally, in the Mainland or overseas.
Besides, the School has close collaborations with major public and commercial organisations to provide internship opportunities to our students. Last year, internship programmes were offered by Hospital Authority, Hong Kong Housing Society, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Cathay Pacific Airways, HSBC, MTR Corporation and Christian Family Service Centre, among various others. Such valuable opportunities do not only enhance students' understanding of the practices in the business world and in different professions, but also foster their future career development.
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