Open University to rebrand itself as Hong Kong Metropolitan University to ‘better reflect its standing’
- Management believe the name will maximise opportunities for the school’s members amid dwindling enrolment in self-funding tertiary institutions in city
- But student union says varsity leadership failed to provide data to illustrate renaming would help the university in winning public recognition
The Open University of Hong Kong will rebrand itself as Hong Kong Metropolitan University to better reflect its standing, its senior management have said.
“After two years of deliberation and consultation … the university has decided to announce the plan for its rebirth,” the institution’s president Wong Yuk-shan said at a press conference.
“Hong Kong is a global metropolis, with diverse and lively communities … As our university is now an institution with comprehensive programmes, we feel the new name is better suited to reflect its nature.”
The university has over the past 31 years evolved from a part-time, distance-learning institution to a comprehensive full-time school. Its leadership believe the new name will better represent its current standing, minimise misunderstandings and maximise opportunities for its members amid dwindling enrolment in self-funding tertiary institutions in Hong Kong.
It will take up to one year to officially change the name through a legislative process.
The university previously went through several rounds in its quest for a new name and gathered proposals from students, staff, alumni and external contributors.
Among names that were shortlisted for the third round of selection were the Civic University, Hong Kong and the Oriental University of Hong Kong.
