Introduction

The University has clear expectations of the attributes of its graduates. The research postgraduate programmes aim to educate researchers to embark on careers that would allow them to become world leaders in their fields, working as university professors, principal investigators in research institutes, senior managers in enterprises, or experts in other professions related to the pursuit and application of knowledge. The taught postgraduate programmes aim to educate students to embark on careers that would allow them to become world leaders in their fields, working as senior managers in enterprises, or experts in other professions related to the pursuit and application of knowledge.

Research Postgraduate Programmes

Doctoral degree graduates are expected to have acquired in-depth knowledge in a number of major areas of an academic discipline while maintaining a broad understanding of other related fields. They should have accumulated enough educational experience and background learning to be capable of performing independent research to advance scholarship, with global standards. In particular, they should have the ability to identify research trends and opportunities, venture into new research areas when appropriate, define long-term research objectives, formulate original research problems, and originate and develop solution methodologies. They should be capable of producing research output at a level that can either lead to publications in high-ranking scholastic venues, or to novel applications in relevant industrial, commercial, or other public sectors, or to other forms of useful knowledge transfer to society. They should have gained proficiency in techniques of knowledge dissemination through presentation and writing and some teaching experiences through student tutoring.

Master’s degree graduates are expected to have acquired advanced knowledge in major areas of an academic discipline while maintaining a broad understanding of other related fields. They should have gained enough background knowledge to enable them to perform research with minimal supervision. In particular, they should have the ability to formulate individual research tasks and to develop solution methodologies under minimal supervision. They should also be capable of producing original, innovative research output, some of which may lead to publication in well-respected scholastic venues. They should have gained proficiency in techniques of knowledge dissemination through presentation and writing.

For graduates at both doctoral and master’s level, communication and language skills at a level appropriate to university graduates are expected already at the time of admission. In particular, fluent communication skills are expected in the language(s) essential to their research areas. In general, a high level of proficiency in English is expected as it is commonly regarded as the default international research language. Ability in a second language is encouraged. They are also expected to attain appropriate life-long self-learning skills.

Postgraduate students are expected to possess attributes of holders of first degrees obtained from the University or other leading tertiary institutions in domains such as academic honesty, personal integrity, critical and independent thinking, communication and language skills, global vision, desire to serve the society, and others. Whole-person development therefore does not form part of the formal educational objectives of most postgraduate programmes offered at the University.

Taught Postgraduate Programmes

Degree graduates of taught postgraduate programmes are expected to have acquired comprehensive, state-of-the-art knowledge and relevant expert skills in the subject discipline. Graduates of taught programmes should have gained access to results from up-to-date advances in the field and a depth of knowledge in specialty areas. They should have accumulated ample experience in practical training, clinical work, project development, or research activities, as prescribed by their programmes. Communication and language skills at a level appropriate to university graduates are expected already at the time of admission. In particular, fluent communication skills are expected in languages essential to their discipline. Proficiency in English is expected as it is the default international language in many professional and scholastic fields.

Postgraduate diploma programmes tend to serve very specific and diversified objectives and have relatively short study periods. The expected attributes of the graduates of these programmes should be specified by the divisions concerned.

Postgraduate students are expected to possess attributes of holders of first degrees obtained from the University or other leading tertiary institutions in domains such as academic honesty, personal integrity, critical and independent thinking, communication and language skills, global vision, desire to serve the society, and others. Whole-person development therefore does not form part of the formal educational objectives of most postgraduate programmes offered at the University.