6.6
6.7
78
Technology, Operating Revenue, Technical and Clerical Support, and number of staff, the provision at HKBC is substantially below that at HKP.
Staff Quality
HKP Factual
The Department of Mathematics has 46 staff and operates at an SSR of 13:1. There is a core of good quality staff who are prevented from achieving their full potential because of the current workload. If more time were available a significant number of members of staff are capable of pursuing further scholarly activity. The average teaching load is 16 hours per week. The volume of research ia almost negligible. There is no collaborative work with industry or staff in other departments.
HKBC Comment
This is another major area where direct comparison with HKP is possible. There is a core of good quality staff who are prevented from achieving their full potential because of the current work load. The volume of professional activity in support of the teaching function is surprisingly low. The comparison is one of equality. A further direct comparison with HKP can be made in that there seems to be a lack of interaction between staff of Mathematics and other Departments, for example Business Studies and Civil Engineering. It would clearly be beneficial to staff and students if . this interaction existed, but this situation is similar to that encountered at HKP.
Hong Kong Context
HKP Factual
In general the academic background of staff in terms of their previous courses of study and scholarly activity, shows a marked emphasis on abstract studies in the fundamentals of mathematics. This perspective is paralleled in the local universities and colleges. The Higher Diploma programme aims to be vocationally oriented in each of the subject areas, but students from the programme often pursue further academic studies, enter the teaching profession or embark on a career in commercial computing. Generally speaking, companies in Hong Kong have no sections concerned with research and development since these functions are usually performed abroad or overseas consultants are employed. The staff of the Department consider this to be a major reason why they have so little involvement with applied research and consultancy activities.