HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Graduate School
Research Postgraduate Programmes
Application Form for Overseas Attachment
(For Full-time PhD and MPhil Students Only)

Name of Student: ____________________________________    Student No.: __________________   Department: ______________

Study Commencement Date: _____________________________        Contact Tel. No.: ____________________________________

Principal Supervisor: ______________________________________ Programme*: MPhil/PhD     Study Mode*: FT / PT    

(Notes: 
1.	The purpose of overseas attachment should be to acquire new skills, technology or knowledge not available locally.  
2.	The period of overseas attachment shall normally not fall within the last six months of the normal study period.  The normal maximum period for overseas attachment is 92 calendar days, or should there be a well-justified case, the period should last for not more than one semester (183 days).
3.	For students supported under the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, RGC’s approval is required for overseas attachment exceeding 90 consecutive days or an aggregate of 183 days.  Please contact the Graduate School to complete a separate RGC form. 
4.	Please read the detailed “Guidelines” overleaf.) 

I would like to apply for overseas attachment in a non-local university/research organization.  Details of the attachment are as follows:

1.	Name of institution/research organization and person-in-charge to be attached to: (Invitation from the institution/research organization should be submitted together with this application form.)

2.	Nature of the attachment & programme of activities/research plan: (Please use separate sheets if necessary.)

 Acquire new skills, technology or knowledge not available locally. 
The new skills, technology or knowledge to be learned is: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
     
 Any other purposes
Details: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3.	Effective date and duration of this attachment:

	Start Date: _______________________________       End Date: _______________________ (no. of calendar days: ________ )
	Previously approved overseas attachment details:
lst attachment:	from _____________________________ to ________________________  (no. of calendar days : ________ )      

2nd attachment:	from _____________________________ to ________________________  (no. of calendar days : ________ )      

3rd attachment:	from _____________________________ to ________________________  (no. of calendar days : ________ )      

				                         Total no. of days granted for previous attachment(s): _________

4.	Self-declaration: 

��	I am/am not* within the last six month of normal study period.

��	The proposed period of overseas attachment is _________ calendar days.

��	The total aggregate attachment period does not exceed 183 calendar days. 

Please provide justifications below or attach a separate letter if any of the above are not followed.  
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Student’s Signature: ___________________________________      Date: __________________________________

*	Please delete as appropriate.

To: 	Graduate School

	I endorse the above application

Principal Supervisor:   Yes/No*      Signature: 				Date: 			               

          Any additional comments: 										_________									____________________

Department Head:         Yes/No*      Signature: 				Date: 			                           

          Any additional comments: 										_________									____________________

Faculty/School Dean/AVA Director:   Yes/No*      Signature: 		   ___________ Date: 	__________                        

          Any additional comments: 										_________									____________________

If the total attachment period exceeds 3 months or 92 calendar days (counted cumulatively and including public holidays), it should be approved by the Research Postgraduate Studies Committee (or Executive Associate Dean of Graduate School on behalf). 

	Signature: __________________________________________                  Date: ________________________________________

HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Graduate School
Guidelines & Procedures for Overseas Attachment

Guidelines

1.	This scheme aims to provide research postgraduate students, through attachment experiences at a non-local comparable institution or research organisation, with enriched learning opportunities and enhance their overall training.  The purpose should be to acquire new skills, technology or knowledge not available locally.

2.	Full-time research postgraduate students during their normal study period are eligible to apply for overseas attachment, provided that the attachment does not fall within the last 6 months of the normal study period.  The normal maximum period for overseas attachment is 92 calendar days, or should there be a well-justified case, the period should last for not more than one semester (183 days).

3.	Students approved for overseas attachment shall be required to pay the normal tuition fees to HKBU.  If the student is receiving studentship, he/she shall be eligible to continue to receive studentship during the period of attachment.

4.	The leave of absence for approved attachment(s) will be counted towards the period of study.

5.	Students may apply for “Research Student Expenses” to support the travel and taxes incurred for the attachment, subject to its rules and procedures.  Any expenses outside the designated amount and categories such as subsistence, insurance, etc. shall be at the student’s own expenses or from undesignated funds from within the department or Faculty/School, if approved.  No additional funding will be provided from designated accounts (e.g. Staff Development, Equipment, etc.).

6.	Applications must be approved by the respective Dean upon endorsement of Department Head and Principal Supervisor. If the total attachment period exceeds 3 months or 92 calendar days (counted cumulatively and including public holidays), the application must be approved by the Graduate School. In either case, the Graduate School is responsible for the recording/processing of such attachment applications.

7.	For Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) awardees only: With reference to the Terms and Conditions of HKPFS, “an awardee is required to comply with the residence requirement of the affiliated institution. Subject to this, he/she may spend an aggregate period of up to 183 days outside Hong Kong for academic/research activity in the three-year fellowship period. If an awardee stays outside Hong Kong for academic/research activity for an aggregate period exceeding 90 consecutive days, or an aggregate of 183 days, the stipend will be suspended immediately unless prior approval by the RGC has been given upon provision of strong justification by the affiliated institution.”   Please contact the Graduate School to complete a separate RGC form. 

8.	Students should ensure that they are holding a valid student visa upon return from overseas attachment.

9.	In accordance with the insurance policy for HKBU students administered by the Finance Office, the Group Travel Insurance contracted by the University will only cover overseas trips organized or recognized by HKBU for up to 185 days.  Students are required to extend the insurance at their own expenses if the duration of trip is over 185 days.  For details, please visit FO’s website http://fohome.hkbu.edu.hk/fopage.html.

Procedures

1.	Interested student should first discuss the proposed attachment arrangement with his/her supervisor(s).

2.	The student should describe the training to be received (on the application form) and should provide evidence that arrangements have been set up between him/her (and/or the supervisor concerned) and an academic/unit in a university/research organization of appropriate academic standing.

3.	All requested information and documents have to be properly provided before any application can be considered.

4.	The completed application form, duly endorsed by the Principal Supervisor, Department Head and Dean, should reach the Graduate School at least 30 days before the commencement date of the proposed attachment.   Please allow ample time for processing an application.

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Personal Information Collection Statement

Persons who supply personal data in their applications to the Graduate School for various purposes are requested to note the following:

1.	Personal data provided in the applications are to facilitate the processing of their applications and will not be used for other purposes.
2.	Personal data provided will only be used by University staff.
3.	After the applications have been processed, relevant data will be transferred to the student / staff record system of the University.

Under the provision of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, request for personal data access or correction may be made and addressed to:
Graduate School AAB 904, Level 9, Academic and Administration Building
Baptist University Road Campus, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong