Studies for Information Professionals The University of Hong Kong Faculty of Education Division of Information & Technology Studies Dr. Sam Chu

WHY studying information management? Information is the new currency The information sector is the fastest growing sector "An enterprise with 1,000 knowledge workers wastes $2.5 million per year due to an inability to locate and retrieve information." –(Feldman & Sherman, 2003)

Why HKU? The University of Hong Kong is one of the world’s top universities and has been the leader in this field for over a decade HKU ranked 33th among the top 200 universities in the world in 2006 Source: Times Higher Education Supplement

The FAQ Why the Faculty of Education?

The answer Ask any librarian…He or she will tell you that all librarians educate. From user education to lifelong learning to information literacy. Educators are knowledge and information workers. –Who work in rapidly changing, technology rich environments. And at HKU, you’ll meet some of the best!

The FAQ Why the Division of Information &Technology Studies?

The benefits Teaching staff with years of teaching and practitioner experience in the areas of –Information studies Library and information management –Technology studies IT in education Both local and world-wide

MSc[LIM] MSc[ITE] Full time/ Part Time Programs BSc[IM] Full Time (Top Up) Program It is a UGC funded add on to the Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programs Programs offered

MSc[LIM] Graduates in any field Qualified information professionals looking to improve their knowledge base

MSc[LIM] – Admission Requirements & fees Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or qualifications and experience of equivalent standard May be required to sit for a qualifying examination Fees Composition fee (2007) HK$90,000 (total 8 modules) Payment: deposit of $22,500 for first 2 modules and then $11,250 per module

Aims Designed to prepare people to be ‘informed, reflective practitioners’ in the information age develop information leadership capacities that can be used in a wide variety of environments both profit and not-for-profit: traditional library settings, education settings, business settings, and as consultants

What makes the MSc[LIM] so special? First such award offered by a Hong Kong university. A program tailored to the unique needs of Hong Kong. The MSc[LIM] acts both as a first qualification and as an advanced qualification depending on entry knowledge.

Mode of study The program  extends over one academic year of full- time study or two, but no more than four years of part-time study.  has a flexible modular structure allowing students to complete the degree according to their own pace.  is conducted in a face-to-face mode, supplemented by flexible online delivery.

Course structure: Students complete Eight modules Coursework option: 3 core modules 5 elective modules Each module consists of contact hours or equivalent. The MSc[LIM] involves a minimum of 300 hours of prescribed work. Dissertation option: 3 core modules 2 electives and 3 dissertation modules Or

Course structure: Choosing coursework or dissertation Those who have no background in LIM are encouraged to choose the coursework option. Those who already hold a LIM qualification are encouraged to consider the dissertation option.

Curriculum: Core Modules Library & information science foundation Information behaviour Methods of research and enquiry

Curriculum: Electives Electives (select 2 or 5 elective modules) Depending on coursework or dissertation option Electives are offered based on demand

Electives include… Information resources and services Information retrieval theory and practice Collection management Information policy Organising information Knowledge management fundamentals

Electives, continued Literature for young people in a digital age Digital libraries: principles & applications Records management User-based systems analysis Leading & managing in the workplace Professional development & change Managing information technology in schools

Selected Students’ Comments on one of the courses: "Although we take quite a long time to finish the group assignment and the individual assignment, we did learn much through the practical work." "An excellent project for us to apply skills and knowledge learned."

Double Masters MSc[LIM] + MSc[ITE] A Total of 13 modules

Advanced Standing Will be given for previous study –if previous study was at the postgraduate level –with up to 3 modules credit is possible

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Applications due by MSc[LIM] January Term 31 October 2007 September Term Limited spaces are still available

Intake Since the MSc[LIM] program was launched in September 2004, more than 150 people, from a broad range of backgrounds (e.g., teachers, school administrators, librarians and IT officers etc.), have joined the program.

Students’ Comments on MSc[LIM] -1 “I do think that the MSc[LIM] is very useful to the school librarians. The content is insightful and the lecturers are very helpful. I do enjoy studying the course and I have recommended this course to other school librarians. I have learned some current information and some practical experience on librarianship. I do apply some of the theory to my work and I try to reflect and improve the management of my library.”

Students’ Comments on MSc[LIM] -2 “I think that the program is very good in terms of the breadth and depth of the knowledge provided in the field of Library and information management. I have worked in Library for 9 years. I think the knowledge covered in different modules are current and updated such as web 2.0, social bookmarking and library visits analysis. The modules are very practical too! There are a lot of different diverse elective modules in the programme. I recommend you to take this programme if you are interested in the field of Library and Information Management.”

BSc[IM] Candidates holding a recognized Higher Diploma, Professional Diploma or Associate Degree in any discipline are eligible HKU students may take it as a minor

BSc[IM] Programme Structure Candidates are required to complete courses totaling 120 credits in 2 years 6 credits in Language Enhancement courses 90 credits in Core Courses 12 credits in Professional Experience 6 credits in Broadening Courses 6 credits in a Project

Core Courses (6 credits each) Examples: Information Retrieval Records Management Database Systems & Information Warehousing Knowledge Management Knowledge Management Cases in Asia Networks & Telecommunications Digital Libraries: Principles & Applications Information Society Issues

PE Host Organizations The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts The Boys ’ & Girls ’ Clubs Association of Hong Kong Hong Kong Productivity Council Hong Kong Police Force Hutchison Global Communications Scout Association of Hong Kong Tsing Hua University, Beijing UNESCO, Thailand Miramar Hotel & Investment Co. Ltd. Civil Service Bureau ESRI China (Hong Kong) Ltd. Hospital Authority (K.M. Unit) Longman Hong Kong Education

Students ’ comments on PE Student 1 “ My Dream comes true To work in The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Library is my dream! Cannot think of other better places that I want to gain my professional experience! ” Student 2 “ Day 6 – First weekend in Bangkok Everyday here is so exciting. Even today is a holiday, still, it is full of excitements to me. I think the decision of coming here is correct, because I know I can only survive in an environment that is full of adventure like here, where I can experience so much with different things that I haven ’ t seen or even thought about before! ”

BSc[IM] students in the news

BSc[IM] student with the former Police Chief

BSIM4999 Project “ An Evaluation of Two Open Source Digital Library Software Systems ” ED- MEDIA 2007 World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia & Telecommunications, (Canada) “ Butterflies in amber: Online data structure design & digitization of the Contemporary Chinese Orchestral Collection at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. ” International Association of Music Libraries, Archives & Documentation Centres Annual Conference, (Australia)

BSIM4999 Project “ Knowledge workers' awareness & their use of key knowledge resources - in Hong Kong & Singapore. ” 7th International Conference on Knowledge, Culture & Change in Organizations, (Singapore) “ White knight or white elephant? The impact of online database on an international school library in Hong Kong ” International Association of School Librarianship Annual Conference, (Taiwan) “ Designing a digital library for the Wan Chai District Council. ” IT in Education Symposium, (HK)