Developing collaborative gerontology programs offshore: A case study

With the number of older persons in Hong Kong and the need for improved sta ndards of care and aged care policy increasing, gerontologists will continu e to play a significant role in providing gerontological education on an in ternational level. Over the next 2 decades, the older population in Hong Ko ng is projected to increase significantly. Individuals 65 years and over ar e anticipated to number about 1,067,300 by 2016 This article describes a un ique collaboration between the University of New England, School of Health (Armidale, New South Wales, Australia), and Chinese University of Hong Kong , School of Continuing Studies, in which the Graduate Diploma and Master of Health Science (gerontology) programs are presented through mixed-mode and on-line education using the World Wide Web. The curriculum was developed w ith consideration of the Hong Kong health care system and cultural context. The curriculum is multidisciplinary in nature, and students represent a wi de range of professions. This article discusses the methodology used to dev elop this collaborative project and to ensure that the course is relevant f or students in Hong Kong.