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As Asian universities continue to develop, experts are saying that innovation is key to their competitive edge in the global education landscape.
One of the ways this innovation is happening is through a customized curriculum. Felix Tso, a student at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), designed a program called "computational cognitive science," when he couldn't find an existing major that matched his interest in the human mind and the way it makes decisions.
Felix Tso reporting his study progress to the IIM director King L. Chow
Tso takes computer courses in HKUST and some psychology courses in the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He said the program gives him much more opportunities and flexibility than other students.
HKUST first offered the Individualized Interdisciplinary Major (IIM) three years ago. It’s the first of its kind in Asia to allow students to fully customize their curriculum.
“The IIM students can explore all courses available on the campus, as well as courses provided by other universities in Hong Kong,” said King L. Chow, director of Interdisciplinary Programs Office at HKUST.
Student studying in the HKUST classroom
According to the QS world university rankings in 2016, 20 universities from Asia entered the top 100. Not only is the number increasing, but the rankings are also rising.
There was a time when Asian universities barely made it to the world’s top university rankings, as many Asian countries lacked the resources to attract and retain world-class researchers. Now the situation has changed.
“People are getting rich and they are willing to send their children to top universities. There is strong appetite and interest in seeing better universities developed in Asia. Many universities are given very strong support by the governments. And lots of experienced scholars originally in the West started to migrate back to this region,” said Professor Wei Shyy, acting president of HKUST.
Prof. Wei Shyy, acting president of HKUST, is working in his office.
As Asian universities rise, the question will be how can the new emerging education systems in Asia differentiate itself from the West. Western universities are still the benchmark for quality, which means Asian universities have to learn from them. But instead of imitating of the West, they have room to innovate.
(CGTN)
