Hong Kong Virtual University (HKVU, 香港虛擬大學), formerly known Cyber University, started in 2001, is one of collaborative programs funded by Restructuring and Collaboration Fund of University Grants Committee. It is aimed to provide virtual campus for Hong Kong tertiary institutions and universities. Their students who either study in or will enter these institutions are allowed to take the online courses offered by HKVU. These various courses are jointly provided by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, City University of Hong Kong, Lingnan University, The Hong Kong Institute of Education, and The University of Hong Kong.
These courses cover four areas: general education, information technology, language, and science and education. [1]
Contents |
The project was initiated by Dr. Pong Ting Chuen (龐鼎全博士) in 2001, who is the Professor of Computer Science and Associate Vice-President for Academic Affairs of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The project allows gifted and talented students to take university-level courses over the internet, enriches the learning experience of participants and makes a smooth transition from secondary school to university.[2]
Before the project launch, secondary schools were encouraged to apply information technology in education. However, there were lots of complaints on low performance and low utilization of facilities. Some schools had asked universities for help. A pilot study was started in fall 2000 in which 28 students from 3 schools participated. Those students are required to attend one of six cyber classrooms in secondary schools. Those courses are delivered through an eLearning Open Platform (eLOP). Those students can watched the video lectures, ask instructors some questions and perform online tasks over eLOP. [3][4]After pilot study, the project gained funding from Quality Education Fund(優質教育基金) of Hong Kong.
Since 2001, there have been over hundred schools participated in the project such as the Canadian International School, Diocesan Girls' School, King's College, La Salle College, Marymount School, Pui Ching Middle School, St. Paul's Convent School, Wah Yan College, Hong Kong, Wah Yan College, Kowloon.[5]
Credit Bearing Program is a series of courses for undergraduates from local tertiary institutes, secondary school students, and overseas students. Credit units will be earned after fulfilled the passing requirements including "attendance" of video lectures, certain score obtained from online tests, quizzes, assignment, group discussion, laboratories and examination.
Talented Youth Certificate Program is another series of courses mainly for secondary school students especially the talented youths. These courses are developed from regular university courses with less demanding work schedule. These talented youths can explore and develop their own interests. It is also a platform to build up a community of talents in Hong Kong.