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EDUCATION
a variety of extension courses are offered at different times during the year on an ad hoc and self-supporting basis.
The polytechnic has recently reorganised the academic structure relating to part-time studies. This reorganisation was undertaken partly to emphasise the importance that the polytechnic placed on this area of work, and partly as a result of the UPGC decision to allocate separate funds for evening-only courses.
Since 1972, student and staff numbers have increased tremendously. At the beginning of the 1981-2 academic year, there were approximately 7 930 full-time students (including those in sandwich and mixed-mode programmes); 4 680 part-time day release and 13 300 part-time evening students, and 2 520 students taking short full-time courses. In June, the staff strength stood at 1 908 - comprising 744 teaching, 181 senior administrative and 983 technical, clerical and ancillary staff.
The campus development in 1981 included the completion of the Phase IIA building adjoining the Tang Ping Yuan Building, and the Marine Engineering Training Laboratory. The two wings of the Phase IIA building provided eight floors of multi-purpose accommo- dation for both staff and students. The Marine Engineering Training Laboratory provided dockyard training for students undertaking marine engineering cadet courses. Generous donations were received towards the rehousing of the Department of Design (which is to be renamed the Swire School of Design) in the Phase IIA building and the construction of the Marine Engineering Training Laboratory. In addition, detailed plans were also in progress for the construction of a general purpose hall suitable for major functions, conferences, seminars, exhibitions and other polytechnic activities for students and staff.
The polytechnic is the Hong Kong centre for the annual examinations conducted by the British Council of Engineering Institutions, the Institute of Statisticians, the City and Guilds of London Institute and the joint examination scheme for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Royal Society of Arts Examinations Board. Some 5 000 candidates sat for these examinations in 1981. In addition, the polytechnic offers accom- modation and facilities for the examinations of 20 other professional institutions.
Close liaison with the community has been maintained through various channels. Polytechnic staff members assist and advise the Hong Kong Examinations Authority and the Hong Kong Training Council. Advisory committees have been set up for every department, centre and institute. These committees have as appointed members prominent people from commerce and industry, the civil service and the universities, with wide knowledge and experience in their fields. Liaison and joint consultative committees have been formed with the Education Department and these are aimed at achieving co- ordination between developments at the polytechnic and the technical institutes.
Regular contact has been maintained with the two local universities. In addition to membership on the Polytechnic Council, staff members of both the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong served as chairmen or members of polytechnic advisory committees. Professors and senior academic staff of the two universi- ties were among the polytechnic's external examiners in the same way polytechnic staff members serve on the examination subject committees of the two universities.
Members of the polytechnic staff are also engaged in consultancy and investigational work for commerce and industry and are actively engaged in research work of direct relev- ance to Hong Kong. The Research Committee is responsible for overall research policies and the utilisation of research funds. A research handbook listing current and recently com- pleted research projects undertaken by polytechnic staff is published at regular intervals.