Background

•••••	Background
	Outcome-Based Education — An International Trend Outcome-Based Education has become the buzzword in the last two decades in many countries and across different education sectors. The outcome-based approach to teaching, learning and assessment has made significant impact on the curriculum of higher education in the US, the UK and Australia, and is extending its influence to other European countries and South Africa. Educators over the world are focusing their attention on students’ learning outcomes, and aligning teaching and assessment with intended learning outcomes for effective learning and learning assessment. In Hong Kong, UGC has recently started to promote the outcome-based approach to student learning in the higher education sector, and has encouraged local universities to engage in activities which support this approach. Outcome-Based Education in PolyU The Hong Kong Polytechnic University is a local pioneer in the adoption of Outcome-Based Education. In 2004, it has decided to re-orientate its curriculum towards an outcome-based approach and a better alignment of teaching, learning, and assessment with intended learning outcomes. In the academic year 2004-05, it has completed the first phase of the curriculum revision exercise, which was the revision of all programme documents according to the outcome-based approach. As the curriculum revision exercise is entering the implementation phase, PolyU considers that it is appropriate time for it to consolidate the experience to date and to plan the way forward. A symposium is hence being organised in order to bring in international perspectives on the application of Outcome-Based Education. Two overseas education experts, Dr David Baume from the UK and Dr Mary Allen from the US, will be invited to speak on the theme. The Symposium will also provide an opportunity for colleagues from other higher education institutions in Hong Kong to discuss and share their experiences in implementing Outcome-Based Education. Objectives of the Symposium The objectives of the Symposium are:
	1.	To solicit inputs and insights from international experts on:
		•	the value, philosophy, and context of Outcome-Based Education;
		•	the UK and US experiences of Outcome-Based Education in the higher education sector, and its implications for curriculum, teaching, learning and assessment; and
		•	institutional strategies to support the move towards Outcome-Based Education.
	2.	To share with participants PolyU’s experience of planning and implementing an outcome-based, constructively aligned curriculum in its undergraduate programmes.
	3.	To provide a forum for educators of the higher education sector in Hong Kong to discuss and explore issues involved in the implementation of Outcome-Based Education in the Hong Kong context.
	Target Audience All educators of the higher education sector in Hong Kong are welcome to attend.