EDUCATION
per cent over the previous year. Two research centres were established, namely, Centre for Surface Analysis and Research, and Research Centre on Waste Recycling and En- vironmental Treatment. A centre for East-West Studies is being planned. Together with the Business Research Centre, they help to enhance the development and co-ordination of research activities.
Academic exchange activities with institutions overseas and in China also continued to grow, and the latter is milestoned by the establishment of the Wei Lun Academic Exchange Centre in Qinghua University in Beijing, which was officially opened in late August. The centre is a joint venture of the college and the Qinghua University, and every year provides accommodation and teaching facilities for some 100 students enrolled in the BSocSc(Hons) in China Studies course who are required to take a five-week summer programme in Beijing.
The college's main library has a unique integrated computer system covering all the major library services, and its collection has increased to 317000 during the year. Addi- tionally, there is a rare collection of special research materials on contemporary China between 1949 and 1976, which includes some 10000 newspaper and periodical clippings. Various kinds of audio-visual materials including slides, laser discs, and micro-computer software are also available.
The year saw the completion on schedule of the campus redevelopment project on the Waterloo Road site. All new buildings, including the Wai Hang Sports Centre at Kam Shing Road, have been put into use, and refurbishment of the old buildings was completed in October.
Approval was obtained from government to expand the student population in phases to reach 4000 in the year 1994–5. Work is already underway for the development of a second campus at a neighbouring site on Renfrew Road.
Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation
Following the enactment of the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation Ordin- ance early in 1990, the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation was established formally in June. This marked the culmination of two years of active planning and preparation by the Provisional Council.
The HKCAA was set up to carry out academic accreditation of non-university tertiary institutions in Hong Kong to ensure that the standards of degrees they awarded were comparable to those of internationally-recognised degrees. Upon its formation, the council started to take over work undertaken previously by the United Kingdom Council for National Academic Awards for the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee. In addition, it provided accreditation services to a number of other non-UPGC-funded institutions.
The Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation is made up of seven overseas academics, seven Hong Kong academics and seven local non-academics. There are panels which are made up of mainly subject specialists which carry out specific exercises and report to the full council.
The establishment of the HKCAA is a welcome addition to the education infrastructure in Hong Kong. At a time when the tertiary sector is embarking on a new phase of rapid expansion, the council should play an important role in ensuring that good standards are maintained.
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