CityU’s English for Professional Communication Degree nurtures ‘culture of confidence’
Core Facts
Hong Kong, January 26, 2010 – City University of Hong Kong has re-engineered its new four-year English for Professional Communication (BAEPC) degree to specifically prepare students for international careers.
Nurturing greater self-confidence, creative thinking and problem solving as well as fluent communication are its unique focus grooming “global professionals”.
International exposure through overseas exchanges and study tours is a key aspect of the fresh approach to English higher education incorporating a “broader view of the world” and global outlook.
Global outreach extends to collaborating on assignments with students in other countries by videoconferencing – including a ‘global classroom’ cultural course on fashion co-hosted with Drexel University.
Summer internships in Hong Kong provide additional professional exposure locally.
Beyond English, the programme also addresses macro workplace issues such as managing people, working in teams, communicating across cultures, planning projects and making presentations.
Additional professional exposure is in the form of industry-based projects – culminating in a year-long professional communication project involving collaboration with a Hong Kong company or public institution in the final year.
Stressing the importance of cultural and intercultural awareness, study is not only limited to English, but also the underlying culture – such as appreciating Shakepeare.
The Department of English also organises activities such as the Extra/Ordinary Dresscode: Symposium and Art Event, and sponsoring the upcoming Hong Kong Young Writers Awards 2010.
Applications close on 26 February, 2010. For further information, please visit http://www.english.cityu.edu.hk/BAEPC or contact Dr. Rodney Jones at enrodney@cityu.edu.hk
Quotes
"We believe creating a culture of confidence and creativity is of critical importance," said Dr Rodney Jones, Associate Head of CityU's Department of English.
"In Hong Kong’s knowledge-based, cosmopolitan society, employers not only demand a higher level of English skills – but also the ability and confidence to integrate comfortably into global teams and networks."
"Ultimately, the programme is about communicating in English with fluency, appropriateness and accuracy with people from a variety of cultures -- and through a variety of modes and media, in a wide range of genres," said Dr Anne Peirson-Smith, Assistant Professor of CityU’s Department of English.
"Unlike other English degrees, it prepares not just competent professionals, but creative professionals. It also offers students a strong foundation in linguistic and social theory, critical thinking and professional communication practices in global, cultural and intercultural contexts,” said Dr Jones.
He added: "Today’s graduates need to be capable of thinking out-of-the-box. The goal is to train students to be innovative and creative users of the English language in a globalised society. This programme places CityU’s English Department the centre of creative and critical English studies and Hong Kong."
About City University of Hong Kong
A relatively young university, City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has nevertheless made giant strides in a short time-span to become one of the top 150 universities in the world today. Founded in 1984 as City Polytechnic of Hong Kong and upgraded to a fully self-accrediting university in 1994, the campus is now home to about 25,000 students (over 1,500 of whom are non-local), benefiting from the knowledge and hard work of more than 3,300 staff members. More than 180 academic programmes are offered across a diverse range of subject areas.
CityU's primary objective is to produce graduates in a holistic learning environment, with a particular focus on developing both an international outlook and a familiarity with the Chinese culture. The University considers research and teaching to be inextricably linked. The provision of research opportunities to students is a priority, to ensure they can contribute to the development of the community.
The next five years will see the University campus change appreciably as major expansions and building projects are undertaken. CityU will then be even better positioned to prepare its graduates for the challenges presented by a fast-changing world.
About Department of English
The Department of English trains students in English language and communication skills for a range of professional occupations in fields like management and administration, teaching and corporate training, public relations and advertising, tourism, customer service, and creative and cultural industries.
Apart from MPhil & PhD research degrees, the following taught degrees are offered:
- BA (Hons) English for Professional Communication
- BA (Hons) English for the Professions
- MA in English for Specific Purposes
- MA in Teaching English as a Second Language
We also offer European languages (French, Spanish and German) for students who wish to increase their marketability by mastering an additional language.
The Department emphasizes real world learning opportunities for our students through internships, project work and exchange programs. We have close ties with a large number of companies and organizations in Hong Kong and overseas which work closely with us in evaluating our programmes and providing out of class learning experiences for our students.
A wide range of co-curricular activities are offered, such as study tours to English speaking countries, cultural visits, career talks and counselling, and special projects in areas like drama, popular culture and literary arts.
The Department has an international, world famous staff that includes expertise in business communication, popular culture, English linguistics and discourse analysis, gender and sexuality studies, computer mediated communication and new media literacy, and language use in advertising and public relations.
Contacts
City University of Hong Kong
Dr. Rodney Jones
Tel: + 852 2788 9636
Fax: + 852 2788 8894
Email: enrodney@cityu.edu.hk
Dr. Anne Peirson-Smith
Tel: + 852 2788 9613
Fax: + 852 2788 8894
Email: enanneps@cityu.edu.hk
Bite Communications
Ms. Jowie Law
Tel: + 852 2973 0222
Fax: + 852 2973 6900
Email: jowie.law@bitecommunications.com