City University of Hong Kong Ranks First in Asia for "Internet-based" MBA programmes Hong Kong, May 3, 2000/HK PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -- City University of Hong Kong's Interactive MBA programme (iMBA), offered in partnership with Cable & Wireless HKT, is the best in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the latest survey by Asiaweek magazine in May 2000. In the survey, Asiaweek says, "City University of Hong Kong has seen the future" in using technology to reinvent distance learning. Backed by Cable & Wireless HKT's world-leading broadband network infrastructure, the programme is the world's first on-line MBA programme that is delivered via an innovative combination of the latest Interactive TV (iTV) technology, high-speed broadband Internet access service and integrated on-campus activities. Moreover, "the [CityU] experiment is being replicated elsewhere" and Waseda University in Japan, Monash Mount Eliza Business School in Australia, and Duke University in the U.S., are heading the same direction as City University of Hong Kong. The "Internet-based" iMBA programme delivers lectures and tutorials through Cable & Wireless HKT's broadband network, allowing students to "attend" classes and benefit from an interactive mode of learning anytime online via iTV and the Internet. Additional course materials are also available on the Internet. Other components of the programme, such as project work and professional forums, are provided face-to-face on campus. City University of Hong Kong's President, Professor HK Chang, said, "We're honoured that our iMBA programme has received such a distinguished recognition. It demonstrates our commitment to creating and developing an IT-based learning environment for executives in Hong Kong has paid off." The flexible and interactive modes of delivery allow busy executives the flexibility to study at a time and place that best fit their schedules. "The ranking vindicates our conviction that this innovative programme should be designed to be accessed any time, anywhere, at any pace," said Professor Richard Yan-ki Ho, Dean of Business at City University of Hong Kong. "The iMBA is part of our efforts to build an e-business school and opens up a new dimension in manpower development in Hong Kong and the region," he added. City University of Hong Kong's other two MBA programmes - Executive MBA and part-time MBA, offered through its Faculty of Business, also score top marks in the survey. They are ranked respectively second and third among Hong Kong universities. "The recognition of our programmes is an important step in our long journey towards becoming a lifelong learning partner for business education in Hong Kong," Professor Ho said. "It reflects our commitment to collaborate with the business community to raise the quality of its executives." For media enquiries, please contact: Miss Pat Wong, Faculty Secretary (Graduate Programmes) Faculty of Business, City University of Hong Kong Tel: (852) 2788 8527 (office), 96834529 (mobile) Fax: (852) 2788 7182 e-mail: [email protected].