9.4
9.5
106 -
The visiting party had directed its attention at the academic merits and deficiencies of the educational courses under review. Although not directly concerned with the manpower needs in the area of civil and structural engineering. Members have tried to ascertain the levels of employment which diplomates could enter. There are three:
(i)
Technician level. This is currently provided by the Polytechnic Diploma course, and by other diploma courses in the Polyterchnic and in some of the Technical Institutions.
(ii) Higher technician level.
(iii)
Professional engineer, e.g. the Public Works Department engineer or assistant structural engineer. Both the Baptist College Honours Diploma and the Polytechnic Associateship course aspire to this level.
Members have gained the impression that although at the higher technician and professional engineer level there is some demand in Civil Engineering and substantial unfilled demand in Structural Engineering, there is a much greater need for higher technicians than for the professional engineers. There is however a great demand among students and a great aspiration by many staff to teach to the professional engineering level. Members recognised the difficulty of determining the future economics and social higher educational needs and aspirations of the colony.
10.
10.1
EXEMPTION FROM THE ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS OF PROFESSIONAL INSTITUTIONS
In 1979 the Institution of Civil Engineers, on the basis of a report made by Professor P.C.G. Isaac following his visit to the College, recommended that diplomates from the Baptist College should be exempted from 3 subjects of the United Kingdom Council for Engineering Institutions part II examinations including the Engineer in Society. The Institution in accepting this recommendation advised that before it could recommend CEI full exemption from all 6 CEI part II papers, the College should improve laboratory facilities and increase the teaching staff. The Chartered Engineer Board of CEI turned down the recommendation from the Institution of Civil Engineers pending the CEI visit to Hong Kong in 1981 to review the courses at the Hong Kong University, the Polytechnic and