| Chapter 12 | Student Exchange Opportunities |
12.1 Overview
Exchange programmes provide students with the chance to benefit from studying in a different academic and cultural setting: to raise their language proficiency, to experience in new country and culture, to develop personal skills, and to build diverse friendships and interpersonal networks, while completing academic requirements for graduation.
12.2 Ug Exchange Opportunities
Ug students may participate in term-time exchange programmes that last for either one term or a full academic year. Students need to meet minimum academic requirements (Appendix 12-1) in order to participate in exchange programmes.
Students on exchange should apply for credit transfer through CUSIS. Academic transcripts received from exchange institution are automatically transferred from the OAL to the Registry for record and consideration for credit transfer.
Students may apply for financial support through the CUHK Student Exchange Financial Aid and Scholarship Scheme (FASS) to participate in term-time student exchange programmes (Appendix 12-2).
Ug students may also take part in summer exchange programmes and summer schools coordinated by the OAL (Appendix 12-3), the OAL (China) (Appendix 12-4), the interflow programmes (Appendix 12-5) as well as by individual Colleges or programmes.
To encourage students on exchange to put in necessary effort in their academic studies during exchange, the Senate has approved that the University will record on transcripts students’ participation in the respective exchange programme(s), and users of transcripts are reminded to obtain from students the transcripts issued from the exchange partner institutions concerned.
12.3 Support for Incoming Students
OAL provides support for incoming exchange students. Major services include
- preparing students for their experience in CUHK and Hong Kong;
- providing advice and support on
- – course selection and registration;
- – extension of study period;
- – exit procedures and pre-departure clearance;
- – living in CUHK and Hong Kong;
- – personal well-being, health and safety;
- – certifying letters; and
- – transcripts;
- providing pastoral care to students and offering assistance to those who require special attention (e.g. hospitalization of students).
12.4 Graduate Exchange Opportunities
The Global Scholarship Programme for Research Excellence supports PhD students to undertake short-term research projects in select research institutions for a duration of 3-6 months. PhD students from those institutions may, in turn, undertake similar projects at the University for at least one month. The University also provides financial support for its students and free on-campus accommodation for visiting/ incoming students. Details can be found at Appendix 12-6.
The PhD Student Exchange Programme enables PhD students to undertake research projects at a partner university for a period from 1-6 month(s). The University also provides financial support for its students, whereas visiting students can participate in the programme at CUHK under the funding support from their home institutions. The programme guidelines are listed in Appendix 12-7.
12.5 Monitoring Quality
OAL monitors the quality of its exchange programmes regularly. It organizes sharing sessions for students participating in exchange programmes, administers student surveys and is also responsible for following up feedback from students and partner institutions. OAL reports to the Task Force on Student Exchange (Appendix 12-8) that monitors the overall management and quality of student exchange activities.