HONG KONG, Sept. 1, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) will be launching its first English Postgraduate Programme in Corporate Governance in Shanghai this September. The programme is recognized by the Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS) and will nurture more competent talents to meet growing market demand for professional Company Secretaries in China.
As required by the Hong Kong Listing Rules, a company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE) must appoint a qualified individual as its Company Secretary. A Member of HKICS is one of the three professional qualifications recognized by the HKSE to be acceptable to fill this position. With the rapid expansion of the Mainland's capital market and the gradual economic integration between Hong Kong and the Mainland, more and more Mainland companies are seeking to go public and raise funds in Hong Kong, resulting in a surge in demand for professionally qualified Company Secretaries.
Upon successful completion of the Programme and a one-week Residential School held in the OUHK Hong Kong campus, students of the Postgraduate Programme in Corporate Governance can articulate to obtain the OUHK Master's Degree in Corporate Governance (MCG).
The OUHK MCG Programme was first launched in October 2000 under a Collaborative Course Agreement (CCA) with The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS). The CCA has been renewed in 2015 for another five years up to 2020. Students who have successfully completed the abovementioned Postgraduate Programme, Residential School and acquired the OUHK Master's Degree in Corporate Governance are eligible to apply for full exemption from the examinations of International Qualifying Scheme of HKICS and The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (United Kingdom) (ICSA). This qualification allows them to move forward in the process of becoming an internationally recognized and qualified Chartered Secretary.
With the strong support by HKICS in promoting the Programme among its members, Affiliated Persons and network in the Mainland, the number of new intake of the Programme is encouraging.
HKICS President Mr Ivan KW Tam said, "We are excited to see the successful launching of this first English Programme by our collaboration partner OUHK in Shanghai. By nurturing more company secretarial and governance professionals in the Mainland, this will help uplift the governance, risk and compliance practices and standards for Mainland and Hong Kong companies as well as provide more career opportunities for HKICS members in both Hong Kong and the Mainland."
Dean of OUHK Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration Prof. Alan Au Kai-ming said, "I am impressed with the quality of the students who are currently enrolled in the Programme. About 60% of these students hold Master's Degrees or Doctoral Degrees from prestigious universities in the Mainland, US, UK and Australia. In particular, the majority of them are holding senior executive positions in listed companies."
The Postgraduate Programme in Corporate Governance is offered through distance learning mode which provides greater flexibility for working adults to suit their busy schedules. Various learning support such as face-to-face supplementary lectures and tutorials are available at the East China University of Science and Technology in Shanghai.
In addition to the Postgraduate and Master's Programmes in Corporate Governance, OUHK also offers a wide array of high quality and practical Corporate Governance programmes at different academic levels, including the Bachelor of Business Administration in Corporate Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours in Corporate Governance, and Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy. These programmes are suitable for students who wish to pursue a career in corporate administration and Company Secretaryship, or for working adults who plan to advance their careers.
About the OUHK:
Established by the Government in 1989, The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) provides high quality and flexible university education and professional training to secondary school graduates and working adults. The University currently offers about 220 programmes of different academic levels to more than 9,000 distance learning students and 9,000 full-time students.
OUHK comprises four Schools, i.e. School of Arts and Social Sciences, Lee Shau Kee School of Business and Administration, School of Education and Languages, and School of Science and Technology. The Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education offers overseas degree programmes and short courses. The University originally has two buildings on the campus of Ho Man Tin, with another recently-opened Jubilee College, and two learning centres at various convenient locations, namely OUHK-CITA Learning Centre (OCLC) and OUHK Kwai Hing Learning Centre (KHLC). Website: www.ouhk.edu.hk
About The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries
(Incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability by guarantee)
The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS) is an independent professional body dedicated to the promotion of its members' role in the formulation and effective implementation of good governance policies as well as the development of the profession of Chartered Secretary in Hong Kong and throughout Mainland China.
HKICS was first established in 1949 as an association of Hong Kong members of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA) of London. It became a branch of ICSA in 1990 before gaining local status in 1994.
HKICS is a founder member of Corporate Secretaries International Association (CSIA) which was established in March 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland to give a global voice to corporate secretaries and governance professionals.
HKICS today has over 5,800 members and 3,200 students.
For more information, please visit www.hkics.org.hk.
