15.11 The department earns a substantial income from testing
work but it appears that most of this work is of a
routine nature and while it provides a useful service it does not itself contribute to the professional development of the staff.
15.12 There is no established tradition of support for research
either within the Polytechnic or in the Colony.
Although
the Polytechnic hopes to encourage staff to conduct research, in practice the staff teaching loads on Higher Diploma courses are likely to provide a disincentive if maintained at their present level and the absence of funds for research will also militate against the starting of research. The Polytechnic does not see itself as being a wholly research oriented institution but is seeking to develop some research.
15.13 The Polytechnic has a staff development programme - all
new staff appointed at Assistant Lecturer level must, and all other staff may, attend a substantial introductory training course. Staff also can and do attend conferences both locally and overseas.
16.
STUDENTS
Admission Qualifications of Students
16.1 The minimum entrance requirements for the Basic Studies
at the Bapist College is HKCE. Most students taking the Basic Studies which is similar to but broader than the Hong Kong A level courses, are entered for the HKAL examinations. Some students, about 60/year (out of an annual intake of about 650) proceed to the International Baccalaureate examinations at the end of the two year Basic Studies courtse, but it is understood that no science students do so.
16.2
Students who choose to enter the Baptist College to take the Basic Studies programme do so as an alternative to staying on in secondary school sixth forms and taking the HKAL from that basis. Since secondary school fees are minimal, about HK$150 compared to the fees levied by the College for the Basic Studies programme, this means that the students on the Basic Studies programme are not from as socially widespread a group as students staying on at secondary school to do HKAL. At the end of the Basic Studies programme 80% of the places for entry to the Diploma course are open to competition to all comers whether from secondary schools or from the Basic Studies programme. The College has discretion to keep up to 20% of the places reserved for its own students and this is undoubtedly.one of the attractions for students to enter the current Basic Studies programme.