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30 33 12:23 THE B C H.K -258 $19 2940
BRIEF on THE BRITISH COUNCIL in HONG KONG
Council History and Political Context
(A)
(Sept '93)
The British Council in Hong Kong was first established in 1948. English language teaching started in 1975 and is the Council's main activity in Hong Kong. In 1991, the FCO allocated £750K to expand our academic and professional exchanges to emphasize UK's commitment and confidence in Hong Kong's future up to and beyond 1997.
Office, Staff and Budget
The present office, the main Teaching Centre, Education Counselling Service and Library are located in two adjoining buildings in a central residential and commercial district convenient for English language teaching but not entirely suitable for other purposes. In 1996, the Council will move into a purpose-built premises including library and classrooms, co-located with the British Consulate-General.
Staff
Budget :
: 2 UK-based officers (Director, Tom Buchanan); 1 UK contract staff: 120 teachers.
and 65 local staff
£7.72 million (including UK costs)
Aim and Policies
Aim: To develop Britain's influence as a committed, dynamic and creative partner and resource for the continuing economic and social development of Hong Kong, especially in ELT, education, science and technology, information and the arts.
Policies: To promote the use of English in Hong Kong; to strengthen Britain's position as a partner and resource particularly for the development of management, industrial, environmental, technological and scientific skills; to strengthen ties between the professions, especially law and accountancy, extending these where possible to the PRC; to promote Britain as a place of study, particularly at tertiary level.
Recent Highlights
The Guangdong Environmental Protection Bureau has asked the Council to co-ordinate follow- up to the international workshop on pollution control in the Pearl River Delta, which we organised in Guangzhou and Hong Kong in February this year. The environmental agencies of Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao hosted this trilateral event and ILAs, academics and environmental consultants participated.
We are working closely with Education and Manpower Branch and Education Department to identify areas where UK expertise and experience can help Hong Kong achieve agreed priorities, particularly in the areas of teacher training and educational management. At the end of September, the Head of the School of Education at the University of Nottingham will be joining the Selection Board for the first director of Hong Kong's new Institute of Education.
We have secured a major contract with the Hong Kong Government for an intensive 4-week English language programme for over 1,000 Chinese medium of instruction secondary school students. We also run annual 6-week immersion programmes for up to 100 teacher trainees in UK on behalf of the Education Department.
Legal Framework for Cultural Relations
After July 1997, the Council's status in Hong Kong will change from that of a Charity and a Body Corporate incorporated by Royal Charter to that of a registered overseas company under Part XI of the Companies Ordinance.