At a Congregation Ceremony held last month, Superintendent Tsang Kwong-ming, Woman Chief Inspector Shirley Chan Mi-ching, and Senior Inspectors Simon Pang Chuen-kwong, Tsang Kin-keung and So Chun-kwong obtained "Bachelor of Social Sciences with Honours in Law Enforcement and Security Management".

At the same time, eight other officers also obtained Higher Diploma, Diploma and Certificate of the same Law Enforcement and Security Management distance-learning programme. They are Station Sergeant Chan Yuk-lin (Higher Diploma), Station Sergeant Ngai Ngan-tak, Sergeants Cheung Wing-hung and Lau Yeuk-lam, and Constables Chan Kui-wah, Wong Chun-man and Woo Yuet-chi (Diplomas), as well as Constable Lam Wai-tak (Certificate).

All the 13 officers are among some 260 officers who have enrolled in the distance-learning programme, which was introduced by OUHK in 2000 for members of the disciplinary forces.

Under the programme, officers can obtain an honours degree in a fast-track mode. Completion of the programme requires 160 credits, but the university has provided two fast study pathways for police officers to obtain qualifications. All police inspectors will automatically get an exemption of 60 credits. which will save them $50,000 in tuition fee.

JPOs may attain a Diploma after obtaining 60 credits. If they continue to study for an honours degree, they need only 80 credits instead of 100.

Writing in a brochure of the programme, CIP Chan said the programme has a focus on Hong Kong and provides comprehensive support for students. Compared with the distance learning courses she had taken from an overseas university, OUHK students can take part in tutorials, raise questions to tutors through email or telephone, discuss with fellow students in the Online Learning Environment and search for materials in the Electronic Library.

"As I had to work shifts in the early years of my OUHK study, the distance learning mode is particularly convenient for me," she added.

The Course Co-ordinator, Dr Raymond Lau, said it was by no means a small achievement for the officers to have obtained their degrees within four years. "As they could only study in their spare time, they had put in a lot of efforts!" he added.

Referring to the Force's plan to establish a Police College, Dr Lau expected that more police officers would pursue continuous studies in order to raise standard and quality.

"Our programme places emphasis on both theories and applications, and programme content has been especially designed to cater for their needs," said Dr Lau.

A memorable moment for (from left) SIP Pang, SGT Cheung, WPC Woo, WCIP Chan, SIP So and SIP Tsang