Lingnan University launches Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Global Liberal Arts and LEO Dr David P. Chan Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Data Science
On 12 October, Lingnan University invited about 70 principals and career and guidance masters from more than 40 secondary schools to campus and shared with them the vision of the University’s liberal arts education and information about admission, as well as introduced them the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Global Liberal Arts and LEO Dr David P. Chan Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Data Science to be launched in 2019/20. In response to globalisation and development of smart cities, these two new programmes aim to nurture young people to develop forward-looking global vision in different disciplines such as arts, science, business and social science.
Prof Joshua MOK Ka-Ho, Vice-President and Lam Man Tsan Chair Professor of Comparative Policy shed light on the philosophy and characteristics of Lingnan’s liberal arts education, and highlighted the programmes for focused development by the University at the briefing session. In addition, he pointed out that Lingnan is the only university in Hong Kong that provides 4-year full residency for undergraduates, enabling students to learn to interact and live with those from different cultural backgrounds such that the essence of liberal arts education can be implemented. He also shared that Lingnan actively promotes internationalisation on campus by encouraging students to develop global perspectives and creating a diversified and unique learning environment. Besides, the University has signed agreements on exchange with 210 institutions around the world, co-organising bilateral Student Exchange Programmes with partners from 43 countries in America, Europe, Asia, Australasia and Africa.
During the session, Prof Eric SEE-TO Wing-Kuen, Research Assistant Professor of Department of Computing and Decision Sciences introduced the programme LEO Dr David P. Chan Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Data Science to the participants, summarising the three major elements of the programme as artificial intelligence, computer science, and statistics and mathematics. This new interdisciplinary curriculum teaches students to master the skills of using artificial intelligence tools, data exploration, big data analysis, quantitative decision making and statistical methods to address data science issues faced by different industries, such as e-commerce, finance and economy, hygiene and health care, and education. On the basis of liberal arts education, this programme not only allows students to acquire professional knowledge, but also furnishes them with sound skills in communication, problem solving and critical thinking to cope with various career challenges in the future.
The programme integrates theory and practice. One of the courses “The Best Practice of Data Science” discusses problems related to data science emerging from different fields to explore the best solutions to these challenges. Practitioners in science, social science and business sectors will also be invited to share their cases in application of data science. In terms of internship, the University will help students in their third year of study to look for data science-related job opportunities in different corporates and prepare graduates well for the big data era.
Prof Mok then introduced the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Global Liberal Arts, which allows students to grasp cross-disciplinary knowledge in four areas of study, including (1) global business and entrepreneurship, (2) literature, science, technology and society, (3) Greater China: history, culture and society, and (4) globalisation: challenges and opportunities. Upon completion, students will be able to seize new opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative, and familiarise themselves with the social development of globalisation.
Students enrolling in this programme will visit at least two of the world’s top universities in Europe, America, Asia or other regions for exchanges during the study period. They will also conduct research projects at Lingnan and overseas institutions under the guidance of experienced professors. Each student will be assigned an eminent individual in society as personal mentors who can provide professional advice and career counselling in different fields.
Please click here to learn more about the new approach in calculating the JUPAS admission scores introduced by the University in 2018, or here to access the online JUPAS Score Calculator launched earlier.
