Uni Of British Columbia & Uni HK Establish New Legal Programme

Written by Sean Hocking

The University of British Columbia and t he University of Hong Kong have established a new joint legal education program that opens doors for graduates to practise law in both Canada and Hong Kong. UBC and the University of Hong Kong (HKU) formally signed the agreement 2 May 2008 at UBC’s Vancouver campus, ratifying a legal education programs linking North America and Asia. “We’re extremely pleased to partner with the University of Hong Kong,” said UBC President Stephen Toope. “This program will equip students with the cross-cultural legal knowledge and professional contacts to foster even greater exchange between Canada and Asia.” “The programme reaffirms our joint commitment to teaching and nurturing independent-thinking, culturally-aware individuals who will rise to the challenges and opportunities of global citizenship,” said HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui. “I indeed hope that our two institutions will be able to continue to collaborate in other professional disciplines with a view to achieving mutual professional recognition.” “This is an exciting collaboration between HKU and UBC law schools, which also strengthens the links between legal education in North America and Asia,” said Prof. Johannes Chan, HKU Dean of Law. “Our students will benefit both in terms of intellectual and professional development with exposure to a different jurisdiction and social and cultural environment.” The Faculties of Law at UBC and HKU will each accept up to five students per year, starting in 2009. All students enrolled in the program will be able to earn the law degrees required -- subject to admission and completion of the professional course requirements -- for law practice in an additional jurisdiction, that being Canada for HKU students and Hong Kong for UBC students.  The joint legal education program requires just one extra year of study with UBC’s LLB students completing four years instead of three and HKU law students completing six years instead of five. “This is an important step for legal education and the legal community of British Columbia,” says Martin Donner, National Co-Chair of the Asia Pacific Client Service Group of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP. “This shows, in particular, the importance of Vancouver and UBC in strengthening Canada’s ties with Asia.” The new legal education program is yet another example of academic and research collaboration between UBC and HKU. In 2006, they announced the creation of the Simon K.Y. Lee HKU-UBC House, a new international student residence and cultural centre for UBC’s Vancouver campus. Made possible by a $4-million gift from Hong Kong-based philanthropist Simon K.Y. Lee, the centre will accommodate up to 100 HKU students and the same number of UBC students with an emphasis on creating an environment of diversity and academic excellence. The Simon K.Y. Lee HKU-UBC House will also serve as a hub for cultural activities. More Details Here

 

< Prev		Next >