EDUCATION
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of one-storey temporary buildings provide teaching and workshop space for the rapidly increasing numbers of students and activities. During the year a major programme of campus development on a 23.5 acre site at Hung Hom was in progress. A grant of $90 million was made for the first phase of this plan which will include a podium, a multi-purpose complex and a library. The new library will have room for 400,000 books and study places for 3,000 students. When the Phase I project has been com- pleted in 1976, the Polytechnic will have sufficient space to cater for 6,000 day students.
Enrolments at the beginning of the academic year 1974-5 were 3,000 full-time, 1,500 part-time day-release and sandwich, and 13,500 part-time evening students. These compare with the corresponding student numbers of 2,350, 1,200 and 11,200 in 1973-4. In September 1974 more than 14,500 candidates competed for 1,700 places available for new students in full-time courses. The enrolment target for 1980 is 8,000 full-time day and 20,000 part-time evening students.
During 1974 the number of teaching departments increased from 11 to 14- accountancy and management studies; building and surveying; business studies; civil and structural engineering; computing science; design; electrical engineering; electronic engineering; languages; mathematics and science; mechanical and marine engineering; production and industrial engineering; nautical studies; and textile industries.
The Polytechnic offers one-year full-time post-higher diploma courses leading to the award of Associateship of the Hong Kong Polytechnic, three-year full-time courses leading to the higher diploma, and two-year full-time courses leading to the technician or ordinary diploma. Part-time day release and sandwich courses of various durations, and numerous part-time evening courses leading to the higher, ordinary or technician certificates or other qualifications in a wide range of technical and commercial subjects at professional and technician levels are also offered.
The associateship courses were first introduced in 1973-4 and have been wel- comed by both students and industry. Students of these courses are normally prepared for examinations of the professional institutions. In addition to the five associateship courses started in 1973-4 in electrical, electronic, mechanical, production and struc- tural engineering, two courses at this level in textile studies were offered in 1974-5. Many higher diploma courses of the Polytechnic are recognised by professional bodies. A number of British professional institutions have granted exemptions from certain parts of their examinations to holders of Polytechnic higher diplomas.
Applicants for all full-time day courses of more than a year's duration leading to diplomas and certificates must be holders of the Hong Kong Certificate of Educa- tion, or its equivalent. In addition to satisfying the Polytechnic minimum entrance requirements, the applicant must also satisfy any additional entrance requirement prescribed for the specific course of study to which he applies for admission.
Short full-time and part-time courses preparing candidates for professional examinations were organised throughout the year. These included qualifications approved by the British Department of Trade and Industry for marine engineers and mates and masters. Whenever there is a need for instruction in specific subjects of