Queensland College of Art has expanded internationally, with the opening of a new off-shore program in Bachelor of Design at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

The course has begun with a full compliment of 30 students who over two semesters will “top up” their existing qualifications and graduate with a completed Bachelor Degree from Griffith University.

On hand to welcome the new intake in Hong Kong was QCA Director, Professor Paul Cleveland who said he was very excited by the spirit of cooperation being forged between Chinese University of Hong Kong and Griffith University.

“It’s been two years in the planning and was a big risk taking venture, but the chance to team up with Chinese University has been a golden opportunity for us,” said Professor Cleveland.

“This is a story of two extremely strong brands joining forces and I am confident we will become a formidable force for delivering high quality education in the Asia-Pacific region.

“We are very impressed with the quality, ability and diligence shown by our new intake of students and look forward to presenting our first cohort of design graduates plus welcome a brand new intake of young designers in September this year.

“I had the pleasure of talking with the students who expressed their pleasure at undertaking a degree that would give them a leading edge having qualifications from Griffith.

“Without room to expand our physical premises at South Bank, Hong Kong presents us with another way of being able to grow our campus, and build our international reputation.”

It is the QCA’s excellent reputation internationally for having such strong and sought after Degree courses that initially led to the invitation to open in Hong Kong.

The first of the intensive class sessions is being led by Steve Mathews lecturing in Visual Communication Design.

QCA’s Design Department Senior Lecturer, Donald Welch is the convenor of the off-shore program and has reported that the program is having a very positive response from the students and that now the Bachelor of Design is fully underway in Hong Kong.