EDUCATION
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The polytechnic has 22 teaching departments grouped under four divisions: the Division of Applied Science (consisting of the departments of applied science, mathematical studies, nautical studies, and the school of social work); the Division of Commerce and Design (consisting of the departments of accountancy, business and management studies, comput- ing studies, Swire School of Design, institutional management and catering studies, and languages); the Division of Construction and Land Use (consisting of the departments of building and surveying, building services engineering, civil and structural engineering, and the centre of land and engineering surveying); and the Division of Engineering (consisting of the departments of electrical engineering, electronic engineering, mechanical and marine engineering, production and industrial engineering, and the industrial centre). In addition, there are two institutes and one centre - the Institute of Medical and Health Care, the Institute of Textiles and Clothing and the Centre of Environmental Studies.
At present, the polytechnic offers full-time, sandwich, part-time day release, part-time evening and mixed-mode programmes of usually one to four years' duration in a variety of technical and commercial subjects. Successful completion of these courses leads to the awards of degree, associateship, advanced higher diploma, professional diploma, higher diploma, diploma, endorsement certificate, higher certificate, certificate, certificate of proficiency and other qualifications.
In October 1983, five degree programmes were offered for the first time in the departments of applied science, computing studies, electronic engineering, mathematical studies, mechanical and marine engineering and the school of social work. These were: Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Computing Studies, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Electronic Engineering, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Combined Studies in Mathematics and Science. The British Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) acts as an adviser to the UPGC in assessing the standard of the degree programmes to be offered by the polytechnic and ensuring that it is comparable to that of degree courses offered by universities and polytechnics in Britain. During the year, degree course proposals in other academic fields, such as civil engineering and electrical engineering, were being prepared for possible inclusion in 1984.
The polytechnic also offers short full-time courses- of less than one year's duration and offered to meet recurrent demand; and extension courses organised on an ad hoc and self-supporting basis and offered at different times during the year. These courses do not lead to polytechnic academic awards.
Since 1972, student and staff numbers have increased greatly. At the beginning of the 1983-4 academic year, there were approximately 7 230 full-time, 770 sandwich, 240 mixed-mode, 3 960 part-time day release and 13 400 part-time evening students. The staff strength stood at 2 220, comprising 797 teaching, 222 senior administrative and 1 201 technical, clerical and ancillary staff.
Campus development saw the opening in July of the Fong Shu Chuen Hall and the completion of the fourth floor extension of the main building, providing specialised accommodation for the Department of Nautical Studies. The Phase IIB extension, linking the Phase IIA development, is expected to be ready for occupation during October 1984.
The polytechnic library, which occupies four floors, has a collection of approximately 260 000 volumes of scientific, engineering and business material. It is envisaged that the collection will grow to half a million volumes. It also has an extensive reference collection. Staff are encouraged to offer their services to commerce and industry as consultants within their fields of expertise, and are also actively engaged in research work of direct