Media
One of six worldwide awards for Hong Kong – HKU SPACE
Press Release: 18 July 2008 - Hong Kong
Contacts:
Binda Rai +44 (0) 20 7862 8545
Peter Quinn +44 (0)20 7664 5584
Left to right: Professor C.F.Lee, Director of HKU SPACE is presented
with the 150th Anniversary award by Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean of the University of London
External System.
HKU SPACE is one of six worldwide recipients of a special 150th Anniversary Award presented by the University of London External System to celebrate its special anniversary. This makes it the only recipient of the award in Hong Kong.
The award is a copy of the Royal Charter signed by Queen Victoria in 1858, which paved the way for the development of the External System. Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean of the University of London External System, presented the award to Professor C.F.Lee, Director of HKU SPACE at a special presentation ceremony on Friday 18 July in Hong Kong.
These special awards are limited to institutions that have made a major contribution over the years to the success of the University of London External System, which is celebrating its 150th Anniversary with a series of events across the world during the course of 2008. Professor Jonathan Kydd described the relationship between the University of London External System and HKU SPACE as being of 'enormous benefit in delivering the access agenda through a wide range of high quality study programmes'.
He added: "In delivering high quality education, both institutions have played a key role in meeting the skill requirements of the local economy. Graduates from our programmes are now to be found in key positions across a range of professions in Hong Kong, but particularly within the legal and the financial sectors."
Director of HKU SPACE, Professor C.F. Lee said: "I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of all our staff. Our relationship with the University of London External System is a long standing one dating back to 1956 when the University of Hong Kong set up the first continuing education unit in this region – the Department of Extra-Mural Studies – which in 1992 was renamed the School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE)".
The success of HKU SPACE can be attributed to a long-standing track record of innovation in continuing education by both parties involved in this partnership, explained Professor Lee. He added: "This innovation has helped to secure our position as world leaders in our respective fields – and that is undoubtedly a winning formula for the successful delivery of professional and continuing education."
Each year there are over 5,000 student enrolments on the HKU SPACE preparatory programmes, which are offered to support students registered with the University of London External System.
Notes for Editors
Picture caption: Left to right: Professor C.F.Lee, Director of HKU SPACE is presented with the 150th Anniversary award by Professor Jonathan Kydd, Dean of the University of London External System.
- The University of London was established in 1836 and is one of the oldest, largest and most diverse universities in the United Kingdom.
- The University’s founding principle is to provide education for all, irrespective of race, creed or political belief.
- In 1858, the University of London was granted its fourth Charter, which paved the way for the establishment of the University of London External System.
- The University of London External System is a unique global network of 41,000 students in 180 countries, on more than 100 study programmers (2008 figures) ranging from social sciences to law to health.
- The External System has been instrumental in the formation of British higher education – all English and Welsh universities founded between 1849-1949 offered University of London degrees before obtaining charters to award their own.
- Between 1946-1970, the External System played a significant role in establishing many Commonwealth universities under a unique scheme of ‘special relations’.
- Through the External System higher education was made available to a much wider range of social classes; it pre-empted 20th Century developments in open, flexible and distance learning by more than 100 years.
- Famous former students and alumni of the External System include five Nobel Prize Winners: Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins, Ronald Coase, Wole Soyinka, Derek Walcott and Nelson Mandela.
The top 20 countries the External System operates in:
| 1. Singapore |
6. Pakistan |
11. Mauritius |
16. Russia |
2. Hong Kong |
7. Bangladesh |
12. UAE |
17. Kenya |
3. UK |
8. USA |
13. Jamaica |
18. Malta |
4. Trinidad |
9. Sri Lanka |
14. Nigeria |
19. Germany |
5. Malaysia |
10. Canada |
15. India |
20. Japan |
To find out more about the External System and its 150th Anniversary please visit: www.londonexternal.ac.uk or www.londonexternal.ac.uk/150
HKU SPACE
- HKU SPACE is committed to providing high quality continuing education programmes and lifelong learning opportunities.
- 1956 – Hong Kong University set up the Department of Extra Mural (DEMS), which was the first continuing education unit in a University in the region.
- In 1992 DEMS was renamed the School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE).
- HKU SPACE is an extension arm of the University of Hong Kong.
- It has 900 full-time staff and over 2,000 part-time teachers.
- Overall enrolment exceeds 100,000 a year.
For further information contact:
Binda Rai
Head of Global Media and Public Relations
University of London External System
Email: binda.rai@london.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7862 8545 (office)
07920 476483 (mobile)
Peter Quinn
Senior Communications Manager
University of London External System
Email: peter.quinn@london.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7664 5584 (office)