Introduction

The HKIUD is now over two years old and in that time has gained over 100 members and become a recognised and respected voice on design and development issues in Hong Kong. The HKIUD Council believes that we should now move forward to consolidate the status of the Institute in different areas, one of which is to implement a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Policy.

Article 28 of the HKIUD Byelaws Powers and Duties of the Council enables the Council: To make rules, regulations or guidelines for the establishment and implementation of a mandatory continuing professional development scheme. At its meeting on 17 April 2012, the Council took the initial steps to implement such a scheme by approving a CPD Policy for the Institute.

Please note: The Council is fully aware of the commitment required from members to comply with CPD policies which are typical of other comparable institutes. For this reason, the CPD policy has the following characteristics:

• It is to be introduced on a voluntary basis over the first two years in 2013 and 2014;
• The number of CPD hours required per year will rise gradually from 15 hours in 2013, to 20 hours in 2014 and to 25 hours in 2015 when CPD will become mandatory on all members except students.
• The nature of programmes and activities which are acceptable for CPD are considered broad and achievable. Indeed, it is likely that certain acceptable activities will overlap with the CPD requirements of other Institutes.

Purpose and features of the CPD Policy

CPD regimes have been established as an accepted requirement for members across a wide spectrum of professional institutes. CPD is essentially a means to ensure that professionals keep abreast of knowledge and skills affecting their professional field. CPD supports the recognition of professional bodies that implement it as well as sustaining the integrity of the membership.

For the HKIUD, introducing a CPD requirement for members is an important step in the development of the institute. The proposed CPD policy draws from existing policies of other similar institutes in Hong Kong. The main features of the proposed policy are:-

• Required for all members except student members.
• To start from January 2013 with the annual CPD requirement increasing from 15 hours in 2013, to 20 hours in 2014 and 25 hours in 2015.
• In December 2013, all members will be asked to voluntarily demonstrate that they have undertaken at least 15 hours of CPD during 2013.
• From 2015 onwards, all members will need to submit at the end of that year a declaration that they have undertaken at least 25 hours of CPD during the previous calendar year.
• From 2015 onwards, a few members will be randomly selected to provide a detailed CPD record of their CPD in that year.
• From 2015 onwards, failure to comply with CPD requirements may ultimately incur disciplinary action under the HKIUD Code of Conduct.
• CPD will be overseen by the MEC.(over time and as resources allow, a CPD committee, independent of the MEC or the Council may be set up.)
• CPD activities should demonstrate real value to personal professional development. Active learning is encouraged over passive learning.
• In due course, the Council may consider offering an annual fee discount to members who submit a detailed CPD record, whether requested or voluntarily.

The policy will be displayed on the HKIUD website for ease of reference.

What to do now?

First of all, members should understand the CPD policy and consider the different events and activities that may be accountable for CPD. These are listed in the Declaration Form in Appendix A of the policy. Members should then plan their own schedule of CPD activities for the year 2013 with view to submitting a declaration to the Institute after December 2013.
In principle, Members will need to consider if these activities are acceptable for CPD submissions in the first instance. Ultimately however, it will be up to the HKIUD in reviewing CPD submissions to decide on whether any activity is suitable. For its part, where possible, the Institute will arrange or support relevant CPD programmes and events and will indicate where such activities are acceptable for CPD.
If you have any queries about the CPD policy, please contact the Administrative Officer Ms Cherry Lau

Tel: 852-2235 9057

Fax: 852-3007 3607

Email:inq@hkiud.org

December2012

HKIUD CPD Policy