EDUCATION
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Vocational Training for the Disabled
Six skills centres, three run by the VTC and three by voluntary agencies, prepare disabled people for open employment or mainstream technical education and industrial training. The centres have a capacity of 980 places, of which 390 are residential.
The VTC also provides support services. The vocational assessment service assesses individual potential and helps in selecting a suitable training course. Internationally recognised test batteries are used, as well as work samples designed to meet local industrial needs. All mildly mentally retarded school leavers attend a one-week programme. An 8-week programme assesses more complex cases.
The Technical Aids and Resource Centre designs and makes technical aids for disabled trainees, students and workers, to enhance their training, employment prospects and productivity. Audio-visual training packages are also produced.
The inspectorate unit advises skills centres on administration, curriculum, training methods and standards. It also provides guidance and counselling to disabled students in technical institutes and industrial training centres. The unit works closely with the Labour Department's selective employment service to ensure that training matches the demand for skills in the workplace. The annual employment survey of disabled students and trainees completing full-time courses in technical institutes and skills centres showed that over 85 per cent either found open employment, or were enrolled in mainstream technical education courses.
Tertiary Education
Ten years ago less than five per cent of the 17-20 age group could receive tertiary education in Hong Kong. By 1991, this figure had increased to 18 per cent, and expansion plans announced by the government in 1989 will see a further rise to 25 per cent by 1994-5. This will include places on the first year of a first degree course for five out of every six matriculants, and help to supply the graduate manpower Hong Kong needs to sustain its economic growth.
Degrees up to PhD level awarded by Hong Kong institutions are recognised by most institutions of higher learning around the world. Academic standards are guaranteed by the appointment of external examiners from prominent overseas universities and colleges. Degrees awarded by non-university institutions are also subject to external validation by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Acceditation.
The Tertiary Institutions
The oldest tertiary institution is the University of Hong Kong, founded in 1911. Its 7 979 full-time and 1909 part-time students are enrolled in nine faculties: arts, architecture, dentistry, education, engineering, law, medicine, science and social sciences.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong was established in 1963 by bringing together three colleges: New Asia College, founded in 1949; Chung Chi College (1951) and United College (1956). A fourth college, Shaw College, was founded in 1986. The university has 7881 full-time and 2368 part-time students in seven faculties: arts, business administration, education, engineering, medicine, science and social science.
Hong Kong Polytechnic, established in 1972, offers postgraduate, first degree and sub-degree courses in six divisions: applied science and textiles; business and information systems; communication; construction and land use; engineering, and health and social