Hong Kong students interested in practical work experience choosing higher diploma programmes

The programme was offered by the Li Ka Shing School of Professional and Continuing Education (LiPace), one of Hong Kong Metropolitan University’s (HKMU) seven constituent schools for continuing education. The university was previously known as the Open University of Hong Kong.

“I prefer practical work and want to pursue a career in animal care. When I was searching for schools that offer pet grooming courses, I realised that most of them had age restrictions. Many focused more on theoretical knowledge at the beginning or learning about the body structure of animals,” she explained.

“But through this course, I have the opportunity to work hands-on with dogs using scissors, which allows me to develop skills including pet training. I have also learned to walk dogs,” she added.

In addition to her studies, Chloe interned at a dog shelter and participated in animal-assisted therapy training. These sessions allowed elderly residents to engage with dogs, which helped them stretch their muscles and improve their strength.

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After graduation, she plans to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Pet Care and Grooming at Tajen University in Taiwan and open her own pet grooming shop.

HKMU LiPace offers 15 higher diploma programmes. Benjamin Chan Tak-yuen, Dean of HKMU LiPACE, said programmes in healthcare, business administration and management, and early childhood education have been particularly popular in recent years.

“Students are well-equipped with practical knowledge during their studies, making them highly favoured by employers in Hong Kong,” he said.

The school also emphasises hands-on experience; HKMU LiPACE students have the chance to intern at different institutions relevant to their field of study to improve their career opportunities.

Daisy Chan Hiu-lam, 20, recently completed her higher diploma programme in tourism and hospitality management at LiPace. After finishing her DSE exams in 2021, she decided to explore the hospitality field.

During her studies, Chan had the opportunity to intern at a five-star hotel in Hong Kong. Impressed by her performance, she was offered a part-time position and guaranteed a full-time role upon graduation.

“I gained practical English skills through my studies, such as describing customer behaviour or their facial expressions. This has boosted my confidence in communicating face-to-face with foreign customers at work,” Chan explained.

“Our school also provided us with training opportunities at different hotels, specifically in our food and beverage course. We learned how to serve dishes and cater to customers’ needs. Many students in the course also found employment opportunities in Hong Kong hotels while still training,” she added.

Having completed her programme, Chan will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Ivan Kan Shing-Hang, a Year Two student studying health and molecular testing at LiPace who is currently interning at BGI Genomics, said the programme has given him numerous internship opportunities. In the future, he hopes to obtain a license to become a laboratory technician.

Current DSE candidates can apply online or on-site for the higher diploma or diploma programmes until July 31. It is free to apply.