EDUCATION
a growth to 11700, with 35 per cent undertaking sub-degree work. The polytechnic is establishing a separate academic division for this work, to be known as the College of Higher Vocational Studies.
A new academic structure was introduced in October, establishing three faculties headed by appointed Deans. The Faculties of Science and Technology, Business, and Humanities and Social Sciences will provide a forum for cognate departments to discuss issues of common interest, for the devolution of decision-making and for wider involvement of academic staff in the consideration of the institution's policies.
During a year which saw the last validation visit by the UK Council for National Academic Awards, the Academic Board approved changes which will simplify and enhance the internal process of course development and review. The board also initiated a fundamental review of the polytechnic's approach to course design and set up a working group to study the impact of the introduction of Advanced Level Examinations in Chinese on the polytechnic's general entrance requirements, English Language requirements and policy on the medium of instruction.
In October, a new Department of Information Science admitted its first students, developing out of the Department of Computer Studies which was renamed the De- partment of Computer Science. A number of new courses were introduced, namely, a Master of Arts in Information Systems, Bachelor's courses in Accountancy, Applied Linguistics and International Business Studies, and Postgraduate Certificates in Computer Science and Hong Kong Law. At the end of the year nearly 11000 students were enrolled on a total of 48 courses.
The polytechnic council is keenly aware of the importance of attracting and retaining staff, and of improving the conditions of service in order to achieve this. A report pro- posing parity of salaries with staff in the universities was submitted to the Secretary for Education and Manpower in February. Modifications were made to certain other conditions of service, including vacation leave, overseas education allowances and school passages; the salary scales for Readers and research staff were revised, as was the career structure for personal secretaries and clerical officers. The council also created Associate Headship posts and Visiting Professorships.
Hong Kong Baptist College
The Hong Kong Baptist College was founded in 1956 by the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong. Since 1983, the college has been fully funded by the government, and is a fully autonomous institution governed by its own ordinance. The college became a degree-granting institution in 1986, and as from 1989, all students are admitted to degree and higher degree courses. The governance structure is in line with internationally-accepted practice, with its statutory governing bodies being composed predominantly of members independently appointed by the Governor from sectors of commerce, industry and education, together with members nominated by the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong.
The college seeks to provide to its students, through its curriculum and its Christian ethos, an educational experience that is holistic and general in nature, yet engaged in real-world concerns and professional endeavours. This educational philosophy, which attests to the value of students as individuals, is the basis for the college's aim of 'whole- person education', and is expressed in the curriculum by the inclusion of elements which stimulate introspection and character development. To ensure that the academic
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