Pioneering the New Normal of International Education

Student exchange is a crucial part of international education. Described frequently as a once-in-a-lifetime experience, student exchanges have been brought to an abrupt halt as international traveling is now being restricted due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Facing this unprecedented challenge, a new normal has emerged in international higher education with new technologies accelerating the adoption of online and virtual interactions.

As one of the most innovative and forward-looking universities in the region, CUHK has seized the opportunity to embrace this new normal. The University took the lead to develop and manage a Virtual Student Exchange (VSE) programme within the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), a network consisting of 56 leading research universities from around the Pacific Rim. Aspiring to become a platform to connect peers from around the world to disseminate new knowledge and skills, exchange ideas and cultures, and develop connections vital for success, the first pilot semester of the VSE kicked off in August 2020.

Eleven APRU member universities from eight economies, including CUHK, are offering a total of 78 online academic courses for the VSE’s first-ever semester in a plethora of topics, ranging from the culture of Hong Kong, impacts of climate change, business in Latin America, to indigenous languages. These courses, available in synchronous, asynchronous or hybrid delivery modes for students from different time zones, attracted over 400 applications from students of 11 APRU member universities, with more than 200 students being accepted and enrolled. The Office of Academic Links at CUHK plays a central role in managing the programme for APRU and providing an enriching international learning experience for students from across the network.

To enhance and complete the virtual student exchange experience, academic courses offered at the VSE are complemented by a series of co-curricular programmes that aim to create encounters with new ideas, cultures, experts, academics and students around the world. Open to students from all APRU member universities, these programmes would bring together participants from diverse backgrounds to learn how to prepare for job interviews, explore Ecuador’s Galápagos Islands, discover historic Hong Kong and even showcase their talent in music jam sessions.

As a recognition of its potential in removing barriers to international education, the VSE programme was selected as a finalist in the Digital Education category of this year’s Falling Walls Science Breakthroughs of the Year awards.

Following a well-received first semester, planning for the next semester of the VSE is already underway, with more APRU members expected to participate in the programme in the first half of 2021.