Governance problems have caused many companies to run into difficulties since the Asian financial crisis. Baptist University's school of business offers a master of science in corporate governance and directorship (MScCGD ), with the mission of training experts to improve the operations of companies in Hong Kong and on the mainland.

Programme director Dr Raymond Chan Siu-yeung says the programme assists graduates to develop into company directors, chief financial officers and CEOs.

"The programme is suited to middle to top management executives of a company with highly specialised and practical knowledge, and problem-solving skills to strengthen the corporate governance systems of their organisation," Chan says.

Students come from diverse background, including seasoned practitioners and executives from Hong Kong and the mainland.

The programme consists of nine courses, including accounting, finance, legal studies, management and business ethics. Students are required to complete an integrated graduate project to apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the programme.

Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree, with honours in business from a recognised university, and at least three years of work experience.

One of the students, Roy Ying Fai, says he gained professional knowledge and was able to network during the course. "I have learned about how to manage a board," says Ying, who is also the head of communications at The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. "This is not a common topic in other courses and it is eye-opening."