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EDUCATION
functions, it plays a key role in planning and formulating education policy. The composi- tion of the board reflects a variety of interests in education matters with individual members providing a wealth of experience and expert knowledge.
Of the current 16 members, 14 (including the chairman) are appointed, the two official members being the Director of Education (vice-chairman) and the Deputy Secretary for Education and Manpower. The board is serviced by the Education Department.
The board meets at monthly intervals and visits schools, educational institutions and centres from time to time.
University and Polytechnic Grants Committee
The University and Polytechnic Grants Committee is appointed by the Governor to advise the government on the development of, and funding requirements for, higher education in Hong Kong and to administer government grants for the tertiary institutions.
The committee was established in 1965, as the University Grants Committee (UGC), based on the British UGC. It was retitled the University and Polytechnic Grants Com- mittee (UPGC) in 1972, when the Hong Kong Polytechnic came within its purview. There are at present five institutions funded through the UPGC: the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Polytechnic, the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Baptist College.
The UPGC is assisted by three sub-committees. The Medical Sub-Committee advises on medical, dental and para-medical studies, the Research Funding Sub-Committee deter- mines the disbursement of funds from the special earmarked grants which are now provided for research, and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Sub-Committee has been set up to provide advice on the development of the new university, which will be funded through the UPGC from 1991.
Recurrent funding for the institutions is normally by block grants, which are provided on a triennial basis. Capital grants are considered annually at the same time as the govern- ment's estimates are prepared.
In addition to monitoring the academic development and funding of the institutions, the UPGC is responsible for providing advice on a wide variety of issues involving tertiary education. During the year, the committee was consulted on such subjects as student targets for the 1991-4 triennium and planning projections from 1994 to the end of the century, the mix of degree and sub-degree places to be provided at the Polytechnics and the Baptist College, the possible expansion of the Baptist College, and the appropriate level of funding for research activities at all the institutions. It was also consulted on the introduction and, where appropriate, the validation of higher degrees and first degree courses at the Polytechnics and the Baptist College, legal education, the provision of additional places in architecture, space norms for the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and the establishment of the Hong Kong Open Learning Institute.
Members also provided advice to the Education Commission on subjects relating to tertiary education. During the year, the committee received a proposal from the University of Hong Kong to introduce a foundation year. Further discussion on this subject will be held after the government has considered the recommendations contained in Education Commission Report No. 3 on the length of degree courses at the tertiary institutions.
There is no government representation on the UPGC. Membership comprises three categories: distinguished overseas academics from the United Kingdom, Australia and North America, eminent Hong Kong-based academics, and prominent local professionals and industrialists.