Overview

With internationalization as the worldwide trend for further development of tertiary education, global engagement opportunities have been brought to postgraduate students through a variety of channels. Making reference to the collaboration model, a dual degree is now proposed to students in College of Education's (CEDU) MEd program - The Dual Master of Education Degree Program with Education University of Hong Kong. It is expected that the dual degree arrangement between EdUHK and UAEU will effectively pool the expertise of two universities together and add value to the existing MEd program. Moreover, this provides opportunities for students to be exposed to different intellectual and cultural environments, and will have the opportunity to be under a joint supervision team comprising of academics from both universities. Admission Requirements For the admission requirements, current students in the EdUHK MEd program who have chosen the research project option and have satisfied all the requirements set by the partner university are eligible. The partner university will make the final decision on the acceptance of each student after review of all relevant documents. The arrangement will be the same for UAEU MEd students enrolling in the EdUHK MEd program. Enrollment and Fees MEd students of EdUHK who are interested in enrolling in the dual MEd degree program with UAEU have to submit a formal application for the program. Upon acceptance of the dual master’s degree program, they will then need to prepare for the research proposal. The student will have to pay the appropriate tuition fees and miscellaneous student fees to the “own” university only. Neither university will be expected to pay the other university for the collaboration. Research and Thesis Students are provided an opportunity to choose whether to complete a thesis or research project to offer a measure of flexibility to different types of students who are interested in the program. It is to be noted though that regardless of whether they choose the thesis or research project option, the students are expected to be the first author of at least one journal article submitted to a journal recognised by both universities. Supervision The joint supervision team will comprise academics from both universities, with a proper balance of members belonging to the two universities. There will be two co-principal supervisors, one from EdUHK and the other from UAEU. A combination of strategies of in-person and virtual/remote communication will be used. The students and teaching teams from both universities may be invited to spend brief periods at partner institutions. Teaching staff will have opportunities to engage in exchange activities of teaching, research collaboration and training and these events will also allow in person access of supervisors. To enhance the opportunities for postgraduate students to access resources and expertise at the partner university, students will work under the supervision of academic staff from both universities once they pass their research proposal presentation and enter the research inquiry stage. There will be two co-principal supervisors, one from EdUHK and the other from UAEU. A combination of strategies of in-person and virtual/remote communication will be used. The arrangements can facilitate staff interactions between EdUHK and UAEU while enhancing students’ acquisition of research and transferable skills together. Principal supervisors from both universities will be responsible for the nomination of the Research Project / Thesis Examiners. Details will be specified in the agreement for each candidate. Normally, principal supervisors of the joint supervision team will have to attend the Examination in person as observers. The individual cooperation agreement based on the sample agreement has to be made between EdUHK and UAEU for each successful applicant for this dual MEd degree program. More specific details on the co-supervision arrangement will be included in the agreement. Methods of Learning and Teaching Students in this collaborative program will have to take a certain number of taught courses in their home institution as required by courses. The methods of learning and teaching will follow the existing practice of EdUHK and UAEU respectively. Apart from taking courses at their home institution, students will have to take taught courses at the partner institution. The courses will not only help students to develop their subject-specific knowledge and transferable soft skills, but also widen their global perspectives by exposing themselves to a different learning environment. Moreover, through spending a brief period at partner institution, students will have opportunities to access the academic facilities, latest research tools, technologies, and resources of the partner institution and meet with postgraduate students and academics of different cultural backgrounds. Assessment and Graduation Requirements The student has to enroll at both EdUHK and UAEU, under the supervision of a joint supervision team, in which there is a principal supervisor from each university (i.e., there will be co-principal supervisors). Both universities will sign an agreement for each candidate, which outlines the research and enrolment arrangements. The student has to complete all taught courses required by both universities. Research work for the thesis has to be carried out in both universities but what parts of the research are to be done in which institution can be worked out between the student and the two supervisors. Each participating student’s exact period of stay is to be agreed by both institutions (normally no less than 4 months at each of the two universities; with discretion in special cases allowed). The participating students also have to satisfy other residential requirements of the two universities separately. A single Research Project / Thesis has to be submitted to both universities. An oral defence/viva examination will be organised as one and the only session held at and arranged by either EdUHK or UAEU as specified in the agreement for the candidate. The examination should be held in accordance with the regulations of UAEU and the EdUHK’s General Academic Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Programs and Master of Education Program Research Project Guideline. For the purpose of finally assessing the Research Project / Thesis, expert committee will be appointed based on equal representation of both universities as specified in the agreement for the candidate. Principal supervisors from both universities are expected to attend the oral examination in person as observers. In addition to the Thesis, at least one article, from the research project, must have been submitted to a journal recognised by the Research and Development Office of EdUHK. Master Degree Two certificates (a MEd degree awarded by EdUHK and a MEd degree awarded by UAEU) will be awarded to students when they satisfy the following requirements: satisfy the course and credit requirements set out by EdUHK and UAEU pass Research Project / Thesis examination be the first author of at least one journal article submitted to a journal recognised by both universities. Career Opportunities Upon completion of this collaborative program, students will be able to achieve the intended learning outcomes of both the EdUHK and the UAEU MEd programs. In addition, the learning experience in this collaborative program will contribute to our MEd students’ development and enhance their competitive edge. Participating in the program will extend their network through contact with academics and professionals at postgraduate level and thus effectively enhance their employability. Program Aims and Objectives Upon completion of this collaborative program, students will be able to achieve the intended learning outcomes of both the EdUHK and the UAEU MEd programs. In addition, the learning experience in this collaborative program will contribute to our MEd students’ development and enhance their competitive edge by: Conduct research using the latest research tools, technologies, and resources of both institutions. Develop their network through contact with academics and professionals at postgraduate level to enhance their employability. Develop subject-specific knowledge and transferable soft skills. Cultivate their cultural consciousness and improving their ability to effectively engage in cross-cultural communication. Degree Requirements (The required coursework is based entirely on the courses offered in the Master program in Education at UAEU)