Redesigning the undergraduate curriculum: 360-degree interactions

Universities in Hong Kong has adopted an outcome-based approach has been adopted by universities in Hong Kong for almost a decade. The change from three to four years undergraduate curriculum offers an excellent opportunity for change. The university describes in this paper has gone through the process and each programme has been reviewed and modifications were made so that it can provide multiple opportunities for students to embrace an attitude towards knowledge discovery. The exercise to integrate creativity in all programmes was completed effectively through 360-degree interactions between senior management, offices offering central support of the institution, senior staff and front line teachers in departments. This paper reports on the process and on observed changes in the programmes while highlighting the usefulness of 360-degree interactions. Although the curriculum redesign started with a top-down approach to change, the authors will discuss the strategies adopted to enhance ownership of and enthusiasm for the change among stakeholders.