86
EDUCATION
course for training teachers of technical subjects is also offered. The mechanical and production engineering department operates a productivity centre which provides short courses in such subjects as materials handling, plant layout, work study, quality control and production planning and control with Cantonese as the language of instruction. Since its inception in 1961, 18 productivity courses have been offered to over 267 managerial and supervisory staff from local factories, representing some 15 different industries.
The 'Abraham Lincoln Workshop', built with a donation of US$250,000 from the United States Government, was opened in November. The new building provides additional workshops for instruction in bricklaying, plastering, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, fitting and turning, welding, sheetmetal working, automobile servicing and electrical installation. There is also a design and drawing office and an electrical machine repair shop. These new shops are available for craft courses in a variety of trades, and have made possible the introduction of a pilot scheme for pre- apprenticeship training for building, electrical and mechanical trades.
A two-storey library and reading room for staff and students, built with the assistance of a donation from the Imperial Chemical Industries (China) Limited was completed in September.
Firms in Britain continue to offer practical training to students in their first year and offers were accepted by 26 students this year. Students are also being trained in Australia and the Federal Republic of Germany.
FURTHER EDUCATION OVERSEAS
The Students' Branch of the Ministry of Overseas Development and the Hong Kong Students' Office in London are responsible for placing students in universities and other institutions of higher education in Britain. The Hong Kong Students' Office also arranges for students to be met and accommodated on arrival and advises students on educational and personal problems. The British Council gives advice and help to students both before leaving Hong Kong and in Britain. There are 2,261 Hong Kong students in Britain and a table in Appendix XXV shows the main categories of their courses. The numbers of Hong Kong students known to have left for the