(1) Structure: An alternative to the Credits Programme is to attend a packaged programme with registration for the entire programme offered in a fixed duration. Fastrack Programmes are designed for those who wish to complete a programme and obtain a Professional Diploma within a defined period of time, usually in 3-hour sessions scheduled over 10 weeks, at times on week-day evenings and during week-ends. Usually a total programme of 60 hours or 20 sessions is offered during the schedule. Completion of 75% of the seminars, i.e. 45 hours or 15 sessions, including the mandatory sessions of The Role of Company Director I and The Role of Company Director II plus a case presentation qualify for a Professional Diploma.

(2) Focus: Because Fastrack Programmes are designed for "homogeneous" groups or attendees with common interest that meet regularly within the course duration, attendees can concentrate intensely on issues relevant to group members. Two well-received series of the specialised Fastrack Programmes include a programme for SME directors and a programme for directors serving on boards of listed companies or companies with the eventual objective of listing.

(3) For directors of SMEs: Organised jointly with Hong Kong Productivity Council targeting the Council's SME Club members as well as HKIoD members and the public who are in SMEs, this programme was first launched in March 2002 and leads to a Professional Diploma in Enterprise Directorship.

(4) For directors of listed or to-be-listed companies and those interested in the Programme: HKIoD highly recommends that directors of listed and to-be-listed companies should attend this programme leading to a Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance and Directorship, first launched jointly by HKIoD and Hong Kong Productivity Council in June 2003 and supported by HKEx and other professional bodies.

(5) Languages: These programmes have adopted the Hong Kong culture in languages. The sessions are conducted basically in Cantonese, with selected modules in English, in which case the pace has been adjusted slower to ensure attendees thoroughly understand the subjects. Teaching materials are primarily in English. It is envisaged that future Fastrack Programmes will continue, in the main, in this language combination, but occasionally programmes conducted entirely in English will also be presented, as there seems to be such a demand too, albeit to a lesser extent than the Cantonese/English mode. In due course, pure Cantonese programmes and Putonghua programmes will be natural extensions of the Fastrack Programmes.

(6) Programme Contents:

Professional Diploma in Corporate Governance & Directorship (for Listed & to be Listed Companies)

Module 1: Overview of Corporate Governance in Hong Kong
Module 2: Role of Company Director I: Overview of Legal & Regulatory Framework (Mandatory Module)
Module 3: Group Project Guidance and Faciliatation
Module 4: Fund Raising and Refinancing
Module 5: The Role of Company Director II: Board Practices
(Mandatory Module)
Module 6: Internal Control
Module 7: Business Ethics for Directors
Module 8: Banking Knowledge for Directors
Module 9: Boardroom Strategies for Managing Change
Module 10 Entrepreneurial Leadership and Family Business in Hong Kong
Module 11: Fundamentals of Corporate Finance
Module 12: HR Strategies for Boards
Module 13: Investor Relations
Module 14: Independent Non-Executive Directors: Role and Fulfillment
Module 15: Listing and Continuing Listing Obligations(1) and
Continuing Listing Obligations (2) and Enforcement
Module 16: Boardroom Strategies in Risk Management
Module 17: How to be an Effective Director of a Listed Company
Module 18: Market Misconduct under the Securities and Futures Ordinance
Module 19: Mergers and Acquisitions
Module 20: The Role of Company Director in Corporate Social Responsibility
Module 21: Group Project Presentation
 
Professional Diploma in Enterprise Directorship

Module 1: The Role of Company Director I: Overview of Legal and Regulatory Framework (Mandatory Module)
Module 2: The Role of Company Director II: Board Practices (Mandatory Module)
Module 3: Group Project Guidance and Facilitation
Module 4: Business Ethics for Directors
Module 5: Corporate Governance for SMEs and Subsidiary Companies within a Group
Module 6: Crisis Management
Module 7: Finance for Directors
Module 8: Financial Planning and Control for Directors
Module 9: Growth Strategy for Companies
Module 10: How Corporate Governance Can Contribute To Family Business Success
Module 11: Implementing Business Planning from Strategy to Execution
Module 12: Leadership Excellence in 21st Century
Module 13: Mastering Globalization
Module 14: New Strategic Thinking - Blue Ocean Strategy
Module 15: Organizational Performance Assessment & Improvement
Module 16: People Strategy and Human Resource (HR) Management
Module 17: Succession Planning and Family Council for Family Business
Module 18: Group Project Presentation