Graduates of the University of the Arts London (UAL) gathered at the University of Hong Kong on 13th April 2019 to celebrate their graduation from MA Arts and Cultural Enterprise, Central Saint Martins and MA Media, Communications and Critical Practice, London College of Communication. They represent the second cohort of 31 graduates from the two programmes that UAL offer outside of the UK in collaboration with HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE).

The academic collaboration between UAL and HKU SPACE brings high-quality academic programmes from the UK to quench the thirst for talents in the creative industries in Hong Kong and the Asia Pacific region. Hong Kong as a long-established financial centre is getting ready to transform itself into a cultural hub in Asia. The UAL programmes provide timely training to feed the demand for multi-skilled professionals, executives and entrepreneurs in the city’s growing arts, cultural and creative sector.

Students on the programmes are exposed to opportunities for an essential skill-building process that focuses on critical reflection, academic ability, intellectual growth and professional working. The training of differential knowledge and skills embedded in the curricula help students to apply theoretical ideals to practical application. For the 2019 cohort, the graduation celebrated the completion of this journey, and they are now all geared up to become cultural leaders, entrepreneurs and pioneers in the creative industries.

Natalie Brett, UAL’s Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of London College of Communication, congratulated the achievement of the MA graduates in her welcome address. She remarked that London and Hong Kong were “places where bold, new, visionary thinking can take place” and she was certain that graduates “will contribute to the creative industries in these two cities, and beyond.”

In her valedictory speech, Patricia Li, graduate of MA Arts and Cultural Enterprise, shared the following aspirations with the audience:

“You simply cannot imagine who you will meet and what will be invented in the future. You cannot imagine the opportunities that will be presented. You enter a world of infinite possibilities, old and new ideas, and continuous changes. Following a life plan can actually limit your future…Passion is vital, courage is a prerequisite, but you have got to have a strategy. Small and steady steps can be quite big and spectacular in the end. They move you to a bigger and higher place.”

Joy Wong, graduate of MA Media, Communications and Critical Practice, recounted the blood, sweat, and tears experienced through this adventurous journey:

“My fellow classmates and I have all learnt to be critically minded when looking at the role of media, especially in this digital age. Although we might not all be working in media or culture industries after this programme, but it definitely serves as an important inspiration for us. We found out more about ourselves, why things might be the way they are, and we never look into the world in the same way ever again.”

In the closing remarks, Professor William Lee, Director of HKU SPACE, congratulated the achievements of the graduates and celebrated the success of the strategic partnership between the two institutions. Looking forward, Professor Lee said that more UAL programmes will be offered in the coming years at different levels to satisfy the demand for innovative and creative thinkers and practitioners in Hong Kong.

*UAL is ranked second in the world for Art and Design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject ®2019.

13^th April 2019

Related Programmes

MA Arts and Cultural Enterprise *

MA Media, Communications and Critical Practice *

* These are exempted courses under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognize any qualifications to which these courses may lead.