“When the unemployment rate is high, continuing education is a solid option,” Macau Institute of Management (MIM) President Samuel Tong Kai Chung told the Macau Post Daily on Wednesday at his office in Zape.
Tong said that according to the local residents’ human resources indicators by age groups, in the third quarter of 2020 the unemployment rate for residents aged between 16 and 24 reached 18.2 per cent. He pointed out that many youths are unemployed after obtaining their first degree.
“When a youth finishes his or her first degree and is unable to find a job that relates to their study or offers adequate pay, many who can afford further education will pursue another degree,” Tong said.
Tong said that the institute is working with Chaminade University of Honolulu (CUH) and offering an 18-month Master in Business Administration (MBA) programme. According to Tong, the course will take place online and be taught by professors from Chaminade University. Tong stressed that students who have completed the programme will be awarded a degree certificate issued by the university and the qualification is recognised by the US and Macao governments.
“We acknowledge that it is a difficult time for a lot of youths to find a job right now. Therefore, the university has adjusted its admission requirement to ‘no work experience required’,” Tong said.
Tong also said that his institution now offers 16 bursary awards for students with financial aid needs, 10 of which will be granted to fresh undergraduates currently without full-time employment. He added that his institution also offers an interest-free loan for eligible students.
“I understand that sometimes online lectures can be a struggle, so we also have professors in Macao to assist students,” Tong said.
Tong also said that the lectures usually take place during the weekend, and students will have the chance to interact with professors online. He pointed out that English language ability is required but if one’s English is not sufficient enough, the programme also offers English-language courses.
“We try to keep the quality of the programme so we are only taking on 25 students,” Tong noted.
According to Tong, students who graduate from the programme, if the COVID-19 pandemic settles down, can attend their graduation ceremony in Honolulu.
Tong said applications can be made now and classes commence in March.
(The Macau Post Daily/Macao News)
Photo by The Macau Post Daily/Prisca Tang
