園藝樹藝及園境管理專業文憑

Programme Description
This professional programme (PDHALM) is designed essentially to meet the demands from the industry for horticultural and arboricultural practitioners as well as landscape works supervisors. It provides a broad-based framework for the study level (Level 4) modules, and emphasizes horticultural principles and practices, plant science, tree risk assessment and landscape management, blending together the essential intellectual and practical skills that match the industry’s requirements best. Students will be awarded an intermediate award, namely, Professional Certificate in Horticulture and Arboriculture (PCHA), upon satisfactory completion of the first four core modules.

The programme will be delivered by face-to-face instruction. Within the 280 contact hours, various methods will be employed to facilitate learning and teaching, such as lecture, tutorial, workshop, practical session and site visit. By enrolling this programme, students will acquire the value, knowledge and skill for lifelong learning, and enhanced employability to enter the rapidly growing landscape and greening industry.

Professional Recognition
Both Professional Diploma (PDHALM) and Professional Certificate (PCHA) programmes are recognized as “Academic Qualifications” of Arborist, and as “Academic/Professional Qualifications” of Tree Risk Assessor, in vetting application for Arborists and Tree Risk Assessors under Registration Scheme for Tree Management Personnel of Hong Kong SAR Government.

Graduates are eligible to apply for memberships of (subject to fulfilment of additional requirement on relevant working experience as appropriate):

1.      Accredited Arborist of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects

2.      Technician Membership of the Arboricultural Association (UK)

3.      Membership of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (UK)

Academic and Professional articulation pathway 
Graduates are eligible to apply for QF level 5 degree program Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Horticulture, Arboriculture and Landscape Management Top up Year 3 entry (Part-time or Full-time mode) given that they had at least five years of relevant working experience. Study duration is around 2 to 3 years for part-time mode and 2 years for full time mode.

Teaching Staff
Qualified teaching staff will include teachers from experienced specialists and professionals in the related field from both the public and private sectors.

Assessment and Award
A student is eligible for the Professional Diploma in Horticulture, Arboriculture and Landscape Management (PDHALM) award if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

1.      Accumulation of 80 QF Credit Points; 

2.      Attend at least 70% of contact hours for each module;

3.      Achieve a minimum average pass mark of 40% across all assessment items for each module.  Supplementary exam or re-submission of assessment items would be arranged within 3 months of the end date of each module at the discretion of the module convenor.

Intermediate Exit Award
A student is eligible for the Professional Certificate in Horticulture and Arboriculture (PCHA) award if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

1.     Accumulation of 48 QF Credit Points;

2.     Attend at least 70% of contact hours for each of the four designated modules;

3.     Achieve a minimum average pass mark of 40% across all assessment items for each designated module.  Supplementary exam or re-submission of assessment items would be arranged within 3 months of the end date of each module at the discretion of the module convenor.