The first IT training and certification programme officially recognized by the mainland government is to be operated by CityU, helping bring Hong Kong's standard of assessment for IT education in line with the national certification standard, and thereby enhancing mainland job prospects for local talent.

At a signing ceremony held at CityU on 24 June, the China Electronic Information Application Education Centre (CEIAEC) authorized CityU, Thiz Technology Group Ltd and the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers to run the China Information Technology Training and Certification Programme. CityU's Department of Computer Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT) will offer training courses and certification examination for the tertiary and higher levels of the programme. The sole body authorized by CEIAEC to conduct its IT certification examination at tertiary level in Hong Kong, CEIT was selected due to its strict monitoring processes and quality training courses. Thiz, a Hong Kong-based pioneer developer of Linux platform widely used in the mainland, will organize the programme with CEIAEC, while the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers will be responsible for the primary and secondary levels.

Officiating the ceremony, Professor Edmond Ko, CityU's Vice-President (Undergraduate Education) said, "CityU places much emphasis on IT education. We are very pleased that in collaboration with China Ministry of Information Industry, we are able to provide training opportunities not only for CityU's students but also other people in Hong Kong." CEIT Associate Professor Dr L M Cheng said that the CEIAEC certification standard provides a much-needed benchmark for the local IT training sector.

The China Information Technology Training and Certification Programme, managed by the CEIAEC of the China Ministry of Information Industry, sets the IT education certification standard for the mainland government, enterprises, education institutes and the public. The accreditation will be an important asset for Hong Kong IT professionals seeking opportunities north of the border, where demand for IT expertise abounds.