Globalization in the 21st century has never before impacted so heavily upon the way we conduct business, and the way we interact and communicate with local, as well as international, partners. Ultimately, it will reshape our economic, political and cultural landscapes. It is clear that the process of globalization is facilitated and fuelled by the technological advances of the past few decades. The rapid development of information technology in general, and computer science in particular, has played a key role in supporting the information processing, communication and management needs of internationalization. The Department of Computer Science offers a range of BSc (Hons) and MSc programmes which aim at training the next generation of computer science scholars and graduates to operate effectively in, and contribute to today's economy.

For the next generation of computer science professionals to perform effectively in the global village, they will need a sound academic training that prepares them for lifelong learning; internationally recognized qualifications that enable them to practise in a variety of environments; and ample opportunities of continuous professional development. To this end, our BSc (Hons) Computer Science is the first of such programmes to be successfully accreditated by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE). It provides a year-long IT Professional Placement for students to acquire real-life work experience. Our broad-based programme structure also gives our students an appreciation of different cultural and ethical values.

To underpin our teaching and contribute to new knowledge, the Department conducts state-of-the-art research and development in the following areas: Distributed Systems and Mobile Computing; Applied Algorithms; Information Security; Multimedia and Image Computing; and Software Engineering. Our research endeavor has led to the setting up of the Centre for Innovative Applications of Internet and Multimedia Technology (AIMtech Centre), which focuses on the applied R&D of internet security, multimedia and mobile computing, and interactive virtual environments. Our applied research also led to award winning projects in partnership with businesses and government organizations.

In the areas of Distributed Computing and Computer Networks, the Department made major contributions in the areas of 3G technology, mobile computing, Wireless networks, computer securities, and real-time communication. The research group focuses on approximation algorithms with applications in various fields, including genetic biology, searching, and batch processing. Our research underpins teaching at both bachelor's degree and postgraduate levels, and will ultimately put the competence level of our graduates at the forefront of the discipline.