Opportunities for studying overseas and an introduction to campus life in different countries and regions were the focus of the International Education Fair 2012 at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 2-3 April.

The event, organised by the Mainland and External Affairs Office, Colleges, Schools, the Career and Internship Office, and Student Development Services, demonstrated CityU’s commitment to internationalisation and enriching the student learning experience.

“Globalisation is one of the key areas of our 5-year Strategic Plan, encompassing diversity in language and an appreciation of different cultures,” said Professor Way Kuo, CityU President, at the opening ceremony of the Fair cum Study Abroad Commencement Ceremony.

 

In attendance were CityU’s senior management; over 40 guests and friends from overseas partner institutions, consulates general, official national education agencies, and sister universities in Hong Kong; and more than 150 students newly selected for overseas exchanges in the 2012-13 academic year.

 

The Fair included a two-day exhibition for over 40 international educators and representatives from more than 20 countries and regions. International students showcased their cultures and promoted cross-cultural appreciation at their designated country booths. Information seminars and roundtable discussions on how students can select the right exchange programmes were also presented.

 

Partnering with 225 higher institutions around the world, CityU offers more than 260 exchange programmes in 27 countries and regions. In this 2011-12 academic year, CityU has approximately 750 outbound exchange and 700 inbound exchange students, a 10% increase for both numbers on 2010-11.

CityU wants to see up to 50% of its students participating in overseas exchange programmes within the next few years. To increase opportunities, a new programme aimed at broadening students’ internationalisation perspectives will be funded to the tune of HK$50 million.

“I made many friends with European exchange students and my ability to accept different views has been strengthened,” said Michelle Lai Ka-yan, a local student from the Department of Information Systems who completed her exchange at the University of Technology, Sydney. “I also made time to introduce Hong Kong to exchange students in Australia.”

 

Currently, more than 900 non-local students from over 20 countries pursue bachelor’s degrees at CityU. “I wanted to do something different. That is why I came to Hong Kong. I enjoy studying at CityU and my classmates are nice to me,” said Ralph Tigoumo Ngoudjou, a Cameroonian student from the Department of Economics and Finance.

 

Ralph studied at Xidian University in Xi’an for one year before joining CityU and speaks good Putonghua. He has integrated into Hong Kong life, and he helped promote a website and a mobile phone application for the recent Hong Kong Chief Executive election.