City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has launched CityUTeens (website: http://www.ncm2.xyz/cityuteens/), the first online magazine in the Hong Kong tertiary education sector custom-made for teenagers studying in local secondary schools.

The aim of the magazine is to introduce the latest developments about CityU and campus life. In the debut issue, Professor Richard Ho Yan-ki, CityU’s Vice-President (Undergraduate Education), provides tips for course selection under the new 3-3-4 curriculum structure.

“CityU has been building close links with the secondary school sector recently,” said Professor Ho at the launching ceremony on 18 July. “The faculties, schools and departments at CityU have organized a number of activities such as competitions, workshops and exhibitions to help secondary school students learn more knowledge and skills as well as find out more about CityU.”

He added that CityUTeens was a major initiative aimed at promoting interaction between CityU and secondary school students. “We also organize the Teachers Update Course every year to help the frontline educators in the secondary school sector face the challenge of education reforms,” Professor Ho said.

Professor Ho and Dr Jerry Yu Jer-tsang, CityU’s Chief Information Officer, marked the launch of CityUTeens by activating the animated magazine mascot at the launch party.

CityUTeens contains many interesting features, one of which is an article written by Professor Ho for JUPAS applicants in which he shares his “plan for the future”. He also provides tips on course selection under the new curriculum structure in an interview with CityUTeens reporters.

In the interview, Professor Ho says the “4+1” CityU entrance requirements, which mean “4 core subjects plus 1 elective”, are flexible and comprehensive. “Students who study the arts, science, business or technology subjects are eligible for applying to join our faculties of business, humanities and social sciences, schools of creative media or law,. Those who would like to study science and engineering programmes may choose among business or technology related subjects.”

CityUTeens, published in Chinese, has 12 sections in total. Highlights include “ULife Express”—a closer look at campus life at CityU; “What’s Hot at CityU”—an introduction to CityU’s unique programmes, departments and activities; “Self-help Corner”—tips for learning soft skills such as time management and coping with stress; and “Expert Knowledge”— CityU academics answering questions related to studying, language and daily life.

CityUTeens provides a subscription service for users to obtain the latest news about the magazine and CityU through email. The first 200 secondary school students who subscribe to the magazine will receive souvenirs. For details, please visit http://www.ncm2.xyz/cityuteens/