Applications for sponsorship scheme for summer IT exchange programmes approved

June 29, 2002

Applications from university departments and student societies of IT-related disciplines of the UGC-funded institutions for sponsorship to organise IT exchange programmes with overseas tertiary institutions this summer have been considered by a Vetting Committee which comprises representatives from the Information Technology and Broadcasting Bureau (ITBB), the Education and Manpower Bureau, the Information Technology Services Department and the Hong Kong Computer Society.

Of the 27 applications received, the Vetting Committee approved 12 of them with a total sponsorship of about $700,000 so that over 140 students from the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Baptist University of Hong Kong and the City University of Hong Kong can participate in exchange programmes held in seven countries such as Australia, Canada, Singapore, the United Kingdom, USA etc.

"This pilot scheme will provide opportunities to expose our students to the digital world through exchange programmes, " a spokesman for the ITBB said.

Organised by ITBB, the objectives of the Scheme are: (1) to intensify exchange between Hong Kong and overseas students in IT-related disciplines; (2) to improve the standard of English of our students in IT-related disciplines; (3) to widen exposure and international outlook of our students in IT-related disciplines; and (4) to enhance IT competence of students in IT-related disciplines through briefings and visits.

Apart from this pilot project, the Government will allocate $120 million to support an expansion of student exchange programmes of UGC-funded institutions at undergraduate level in the next three years.

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