Certificate in Global Supply Chain Management

Aims

This course aims to equip students with a sound understanding of the concepts, theories, key elements and strategies for managing a global supply chain. Its emphasis is on helping students to develop a practical framework for determining the values created by supply chain activities across a wide range of industries in a global context. This course also aims to help students develop analytical and planning skills applicable to a career in the supply chain and logistics industry. It will also help students communicate effectively and identify ethical issues in different business contexts.

Intended Learning Outcomes 

Upon satisfactory completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:

1. Illustrate the key concepts and ideas of global Supply Chain Management (SCM); 
2. Assess the significance of global SCM to organisations operating in a global setting; 
3. Apply concepts and theories assessing different key elements for managing a global supply chain; 
4. Examine the strategic role of global SCM in developing global business operations;
5. Apply knowledge and skills of global SCM enhancing the operational efficiency of organisations.

Target Students 

- Associate degree / higher diploma graduates

- Early-career professionals in business, trade, transport and logistics

- Entrepreneurs / SMEs owners

- Career switchers

  This course is recognized under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (HKQF) at Level 5 and is now available on Qualifications Register (QR) (QR Registration No.: 26/000640/L5; Validity period from 11 May 2026 to On-going). For details of the HKQF, please visit the QR website: https://www.hkqr.gov.hk.

  This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) (CEF Course Code: 33C170388). This course is recognized under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level 5). For details of the CEF, please visit the CEF website: https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/cef.

Course Outline

(a) Introduction to Global Supply Chain Management
The global supply chain concept; Regional logistics assessment; Factors influencing and encouraging international trade; Historical brief in global supply chain management. 

(b) Global Supply Chain Operations
Customs supervisory warehouses in operations; International safety and packaging standard requirements; Bonded warehousing operations; Regional distribution infrastructure. 

(c) Global Supply Chain Strategies
Global logistics network design and planning; Global location and facility planning; Choice and selection of regional distribution centres and network infrastructure; Inventory management in supply chain; Risk pooling concepts; Bullwhip effect in supply chain.
  
(d) Supply Chain Integration and Coordination
Supply chain incentive analysis; Strategic alliance and partnering; Product and process design for logistics.

(e) Information Technology of Global Supply Chain Management
Electronic data interchange; Radio frequency identification and bar-coding systems; Internet of Things (IoT); Global positioning satellite; Integrated logistics information system; Gaining visibility in the global pipeline; Organising for global logistics; Global coordination and local management strategies.

(f) Critical Issues in Global Supply Chain Management
Risk management and security standards for global supply chain operators; Performance measurement and control mechanisms for global supply chain operations.

Applicants are required to satisfy the requirements stated in (i) and (ii):

1. Satisfactory completion of a recognised Diploma programme in business related discipline at QF Level 4 or equivalent; and
2. 2 years or above work experience in business, trade and logistics related sectors.

 
Applicants who do not meet the above entry requirements will be considered on a case-by-case basis. These applicants may be required to attend an admission interview.

Students who have completed all assessments with an overall pass and attended at least 70% of the classes will be presented with a Certificate awarded by PolyU SPEED.

Upon successful completion of this course (equivalent to 3 credits), students are eligible to apply for credit transfer to the Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Operations and Supply Chain Management at PolyU SPEED. Each credit transfer application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The final decision on credit transfer rests with the relevant programme offering unit.

Applicants for academic award programmes must also satisfy all the programme requirements before being considered for admission.

1. Application form can be downloaded from this website.  Before completing the application form, please read carefully the "Guide for Applicants" on the form.
2. Please submit one application form and settle the course fee by bank draft/ crossed cheque/ On-line Card Payment System for each course applied. For details of payment methods, please refer to Section 4 of the application form or this webpage.
3. Non-permanent residents of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) holding
   (i) work visa/ entry permit; OR
   (ii) visa/ entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG) (except those from Mainland, Macao and Taiwan); OR
   (iii) dependent visa/ entry permit (except those from Mainland, Macao and Taiwan), issued by the Director of Immigration of HKSAR Government may enroll in short-term courses in SPEED without seeking prior approval from the Director of Immigration.
   
   These applicants are required to attach a copy of their identity document(s) and the valid visa/ entry permit to their application. On admission, they will be required to provide the original identity document(s) and visa/ entry permit for verification. Throughout the course of study, it is the responsibility of individual students to ensure that their identity documents and visas/ entry permits are valid. Other non-local applicants can neither be registered as students nor commence their studies on the short-term courses in SPEED.
4. Applications should be submitted on or before the application deadline via one of the following means -
   (a) By post:
   Send the completed application form, supporting documents (if applicable) and a copy of your valid visa/ entry permit (if applicable) together with the bank draft/ crossed cheque/ payment confirmation page (for online payment) to CPCE Academic Registry - Continuing Education, Room N301, 3/F, North Tower, PolyU West Kowloon Campus, 9 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
   
   (b) By e-mail (only for application with payment settled via online system):
   Submit the completed application form, supporting documents (if applicable) and a copy of your valid visa/ entry permit (if applicable) together with the payment confirmation page by e-mail to ce.car@speed-polyu.edu.hk
   
   Applicants will be notified of their application results via email by the School after the application is closed. Please contact the School if you do not receive any notification 1 week before course commencement.

Please choose either one of the following payment methods for course fee: 

(1)  Bank Draft/ Crossed Cheque
You could submit a bank draft/ crossed cheque (made payable to "The Hong Kong Polytechnic University")  by post or by hand.  Please write your name, the course code and class code at the back of the bank draft/ crossed cheque.  Post-dated cheque will not be accepted.
 
(2)  On-line Card Payment System (by Visa/ Master/ China UnionPay card or FPS/ AlipayHK/ WeChat Pay HK)
You could settle the course fee via On-line Card Payment Systemby Visa/ Master/ China UnionPay card, or FPS/ AlipayHK/ WeChat Pay HK. For successful payment, please print the payment confirmation page for record and quote the invoice number (as shown on the payment confirmation page) on Section 4 of the application form. No separate payment receipt will be issued to you.
 
According to the School's Refund Policy, course fees paid are normally not refundable, except cases of unsuccessful applications/ course cancellation.  Fees paid and places allocated are not transferrable.

Eligible applicants may submit applications for reimbursement of tuition fee up to a maximum sum of HK$7,920 to the Office of Continuing Education Fund (OCEF) within one year upon the successful completion of this course. Under the CEF's co-payment ratios by learners, a minimum sum of HK$1,980 will be borne by eligible applicants. The actual subsidy amount depends on the balance of each individual applicant's CEF account. The final approval of application rests with the OCEF. The notification of application result and payment arrangement will be issued by the OCEF. 

To estimate the subsidy amount, applicants can visit the "Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency" (WFSFAA) website (https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/en/ce/cef/eligibility.php) and use the "Subsidy Calculator" under "Useful Tools".

Before enrolling in a course, applicants should check their eligibility for the Continuing Education Fund (CEF). For details, please refer to the WFSFAA website at https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/en/ce/cef/eligibility.php.