CUHK
News Centre

The University Grants Committee (UGC) announced today (25 February) the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission (SALSA) Scheme. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) welcomes the UGC’s implementation of the SALSA Scheme and wholeheartedly supports it. CUHK has always fostered the development of local sports, and has admitted a number of elite athletes to further their academic pursuits in parallel with their sporting careers. The new plan offers an alternative pathway to elite athletes to commence university studies based on their athletic performance. There are no quotas or age criteria for elite athletes to participate in the Scheme. The academic experience of participants will be supported through the provision of additional personal teaching assistants.

Elite athletes who are nominated or apply for the Scheme can apply for admission to 50 undergraduate programmes at CUHK, and can apply for other university scholarships outside the SALSA Scheme. Please visit the following website for details: http://admission.cuhk.edu.hk/salsa/

Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, said: “CUHK has all along been committed to supporting our student athletes in their pursuit of dual-track development in sports training and academic studies. We provide them with not only flexible academic arrangements, but also additional assistance in their learning and personal development. The SALSA Scheme will further benefit our student athletes with the provision of more comprehensive academic support as well as life planning and career coaching. I believe the Scheme can further promote sports culture in Hong Kong, and motivate more young people to participate in sports, through which their collaborative spirit and resilience will be built up.”

CUHK and HKSI renew the Memorandum of Understanding

CUHK and The Hong Kong Sports Institute (HKSI) have been working closely together to provide tertiary education for elite athletes. To further support elite athletes, Professor Poon Wai-yin, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, and Dr. Trisha Leahy, Chief Executive of HKSI, recently renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). Professor Poon also signed a MOU with HKSI on behalf of CUHK’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies (CUSCS).

Under the MOU, HKSI can nominate its full-time athletes to apply for admission to full-time undergraduate degree programmes at CUHK and full-time higher diploma programmes at CUSCS. CUHK will extend the study period for the student athletes to the maximum plus six years for full-time undergraduate studies, while CUSCS will extend the study period to the maximum plus two years for full-time higher diploma programmes. Further extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. CUHK and CUSCS will also provide ongoing learning support for student athletes. After the elite athletes are enrolled, the University will provide full one-on-one academic counselling, so that even if athletes suspend their studies for competition or training, there will be a dedicated person to follow up on their learning progress when they return to school.

CUHK, Citi Hong Kong and other organisations provide vocational training for student athletes

The University has also always paid great attention to the career development of its graduates. In order to prepare student athletes for working life after graduation, CUHK is liaising with various organisations to provide student athletes with industry internship opportunities. The University has now reached an agreement with Citi Hong Kong to launch a pre-employment experience programme, a mentorship programme and an internship programme tailor-made for student athletes. CUHK is also liaising with other companies to provide more avenues for elite athletes after competition.