An accredited master's degree is available for professionals who want to further their careers in facility management.

The master of science in facility management at Polytechnic University is designed for professionals working in construction, property, consultancy and facility support services.

The course is accredited by professional institutions in Hong Kong and Britain, such as the Hong Kong Institute of Facility Management and Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. Dr Danny Then Shiem-shin, the programme leader, says: "Facility management has developed rapidly over the past two decades around the world and that has driven the demand for [this type of course] at the postgraduate level. There is demand from a broad base of existing professions ranging from engineering-based building services to property management and space planning."

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree with honours in architecture, interior design, construction, building surveying, building technology and engineering, building services engineering or business, and preferably have two years of relevant working experience. There will be an interview and a written test in English.

Students usually complete the course in 2½ years part-time. As the majority of the students are working, classes are held on weekday evenings or weekends. The course accepts 40 students each year.

Fion Leung Shuk-yan, a student in the programme, is an engineer for a consultancy firm. "I am responsible for providing engineering consultancy and building services designs to client. I would like to enrich my knowledge in economics and the managerial side of the building industry. The programme has taught me that facility management is indispensable for the business operation of any corporation. It is essential to incorporate it to support business operations in an effective way."