Prof KW Chau: problem-based learning

Hong Kong has provided the inspiration for some of the world's finest architects, including Norman Foster and IM Pei but also serves to inspire the students of The University of Hong Kong (HKU)'s prestigious Faculty of Architecture which offers comprehensive courses in all areas of architecture, real estate and construction. And, since 100 percent of the faculty's graduates find a job within six months of leaving, it is easy to see why the faculty provides an excellent springboard to career success.

The oldest in town

The oldest architectural school in the territory, HKU's prestigious Faculty of Architecture dates back to 1950 and currently features two core departments. The Department of Architecture offers courses in the disciplines of architecture, urban design and landscape architecture, while the Department of Real Estate and Construction offers courses in the disciplines of surveying, construction project management and real estate development.

Additionally, the Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management, a non-core academic unit, cooffers programmes on the disciplines of urban planning, environmental management, housing management and transport policy planning.

Prof KW Chau, dean of the faculty and chair of the Department of Real Estate and Construction, notes that the faculty has come a long way since its inception: "The student body has doubled in size and the number of teaching staff has increased from 30 to 45. The courses on offer have been restructured to cater to the demands of today's market and our teaching methods and facilities are at the cutting edge of design technology."

Commitment to architecture

The study path of an architect is a committed one. A candidate must first complete a three-year Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BAAS) programme, then a two-year master's degree, followed by a further two years of practical experience in the industry, before they are allowed to sit the professional examination that will allow them to practice as an architect. As such, it is very important to choose the right bachelor's degree.

HKU's Department of Architecture offers one of the best BAAS programmes in the region. This aims to prepare graduates for the next step, while providing enough knowledge and skills to carry them into a different profession, should they decide on a different career path. Fully comprehensive, the programme includes courses on architectural design, the history and theory of architecture, the principles of buildings, visual communications, architecture and design appreciation, urbanism, building structures, building services, building technology and materials.

The department employs state-of-the-art teaching methods to train its budding architects. "We specialise in problem-based learning," says Prof Chau. "We have built a studio in which students can design and learn together in a simulation of an office environment. This provides a forum for ideas and allows students to be adventurous in their design. They can make mistakes here and learn from them."

Admissions and alumni

As the department accepts only 69 students every year, competition is fierce. The average A-level of BAAS intakes is significantly above the average HKU A-level results. In addition, applicants must sit the department's aptitude test.

Prof Chau explains, "To be a good architect, you have to be able to express yourself both verbally and visually. Creativity is obviously very important, as is a capacity to relate to the concept of space. You need to be inquisitive and possess initiative. Many students believe they have what it takes but, once the course starts, find they are unhappy. Our aptitude test is designed to cut down on the number of mid-course transfers and recruit only those people we believe will see it through."

Students joining the department are in good company. Famous alumni include the current president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, John PL Wong, and Rocco Yim, who designed the Graduate House at the University of Hong Kong and several other campus buildings.

Course information

A global first Surveying might be seen as the slightly lower-profile cousin of architecture, but it is an equally important profession that contributes to the land conversion process. The Department of Real Estate and Construction operates alongside the Department of Architecture and is the first in the world to develop a fully integrated Bachelor of Science in Surveying programme. Graduates can use this to develop a career in any of the major areas of practice: general practice, quantity surveying, building surveying and planning and development. Prof Chau says, "Everybody does the same course, which comprises modules on management, economics, law and construction technology. It provides an excellent base from which students can select the area in which they wish to practice once they have graduated." Again, the university employs problem-based teaching methods designed to encourage students to think on their feet. "This is a unique programme. By creating a studio environment, we simulate situations that might arise on the job and then throw in a curve ball to test their reactions. It helps students learn about real-life problems in the land conversion process." This pioneering approach qualifies graduates for a wider range of employment opportunities and puts them in a position to choose the area they would like to continue studying for their Master's degrees. It also helps prepare them for the final step: the assessment of professional competence. In terms of admissions, competition is again tough. The department only accepts about 50 students each year, with emphasis on academic success. There is no aptitude test for the BSc in Surveying. A mathematical mind might help, but Prof Chau insists that anyone can become a surveyor with a little hard work. Although the two departments operate alongside each other and often touch on the same subjects without much inter-department interaction, Prof Chau aims to change this. "We are working at bringing the departments together again to provide our students with a revolutionary learning environment. Students would benefit greatly from studying in a simulated environment that features everything they will come across in their working life. In addition, we foresee some incredible opportunities in terms of research."

Taken from Career Times 2003/04/11