What is ‘course trading’? Hong Kong universities to quash student practice, where places on programmes are sold for profit
- CityU warns students of disciplinary actions, while PolyU will take steps to ensure that a subject is not immediately available to others if a student drops out of it
- Student union leaders say the problem has become more serious now due to a higher demand for courses prompted by online learning amid the Covid-19 pandemic
Two universities are trying to crack down on “course trading” among students, in which an individual holds a place on a programme and then releases it to a peer for profit, with some popular seats being offered for up to thousands of Hong Kong dollars.
Authorities at City and Polytechnic universities have warned students that engaging in such activities could invite disciplinary actions, while the latter will be rolling out fresh measures this week to prevent course trading.
A check by the Post on social networking app Gööp, used by university students in Hong Kong, found multiple discussions over the trading of courses at the two institutions for monetary gains, ranging between HK$100 (US$12) and HK$2,000.
Student unions at both universities told the Post on Thursday that the problem, although not new, was more serious now due to a higher demand for courses with students switching to online learning amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Face-to-face teaching at Hong Kong universities has been suspended since February, and classes will be conducted online when the new academic session begins in September.