UMELCO
DRAFT SPEECH BY HON WONG PO YAN, OBE, JP LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL 12.3.86
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Statement on the Hong Kong Baptist College Annual Report July 1984 - June 1985
Sir,
Last year, when I spoke in this Council on the 1983-84 Annual Report of the Hong Kong Baptist College, I projected that many more positive developments of the College would be forthcoming in this year. I am happy to report, as a member of both the College's Board of Governors and its Council, that the College has lived up to my projection.
Details of these positive developments in 1984-85 are recorded in the annual report tabled before this Council today. 1984-85 was, for the first time in the College's history, a full year under UPGC funding. The highlights of the year include firstly, the submission of two degree courses
(Combined Sciences, and Social Work) for validation by the UK Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA). Secondly, for the approved campus redevelopment master plan which will add five new buildings, funding was received for implementing the plans for the first three buildings to be used respectively for student amenities, the Communication course, and indoor sports facilities. Thirdly, there were improvements in senior management and academic staff, not only quantitatively, but also and more importantly, in terms of quality. newly-created senior positions of the two vice presidents and four full-time faculty deans were filled, and the number of senior academic posts was increased by 15% despite the zero growth. Fourthly, the stock of teaching and research equipment was increased, particularly in the Science courses and in computing. Fifthly, the services of the library were expanded by adding to its collection 10,000 additional books and 200 new titles in periodicals and the acquisition of a computerized library automation system. In addition to the full-time academic courses, the College's Division of Continuing Education has continued to grow in response to community
demands for open education.
UMELCO
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