EDUCATION
Specially-tailored English courses were run at a number of Hong Kong's major business organisations, and, in conjunction with Radio Television Hong Kong, the council provided radio courses for schools and for business-letter writing. Teacher training courses were run during the year, including one Royal Society of Arts diploma and two Royal Society of Arts certificate courses for teaching English as a foreign language.
The council also works with Hong Kong University and the Chinese University in the promotion and teaching of English. It sponsors conferences, workshops and seminars in the teaching of English and also jointly sponsors scholarships for top students, business executives and journalists.
Academic links in collaborative research, staff development, and curriculum design and development were increased between tertiary institutions in Britain and Hong Kong, in areas such as public and social administration, textiles design and manufacture and accountancy. The council sent representatives of various professions to Britain for courses and familiarisation visits, and four Fellowships were awarded for one year's full-time study including one to a blind student of public and social administration.
Through its arts programme, the council seeks to further understanding and apprecia- tion of British arts in Hong Kong and to develop closer links with local arts organisa- tions. It organised, sponsored and co-sponsored many arts events, especially in the areas of visual and performing arts. Besides bringing over British artists such as the Trestle Theatre Company, Coombs and Scott Piano Duo and Rob Ward, it also sponsored a local dance company, Zuni Icosahedron, to participate in the Turning World Festival which is an international event organised by the Place Theatre in London.
The council's library represents all aspects of British life and culture, although the emphasis is on English language teaching and teacher training. There is a film and video library covering a wide range of topics. A collection of British classical and popular music on compact disc is also available for loan. Information services have been expanded further and facilities have been added to the installed CD-ROM. The Asian Voices in English conference, and the Reading is Fun book exhibition were organised by the library. Library membership is open to all Hong Kong residents.
The Education Counselling and Promotion Service provides free and impartial advice to students on the educational opportunities available in Britain. In 1989-90, 12000 students visited the service to seek information about studying in British universities, polytechnics and colleges. In addition, a series of co-ordinated and individual visits by British insti- tutions to Hong Kong was organised, providing further information for students and facilitating discussion on areas of co-operation and collaboration with their Hong Kong counterparts.
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