EDUCATION
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In 1992, in the light of the latest population forecast and estimates of the supply of matriculants over the next few years, the government took the view that planned provision of first-year first degree places for 1994-5 could be revised from 15 000 to 14 500, without affecting the target of places for 18 per cent of the mean of the 17–20 year old population. The UPGC, in consultation with the institutions, then formulated a revised expansion scenario in which growth in first-year places during the 1992–5 triennium would be 12 per cent each year, rather than the previously planned 14.5 per cent. As a result, the UPGC was able to return to the government $509 million from the $18,200 million of approved recurrent funding for the triennium.
Recruiting and retaining academic staff of the right calibre is crucial to the tertiary expansion programme. To help train local students for future careers in Hong Kong's institutions, the UPGC strategy includes a substantial increase in research student places, from about 1 300 in 1991-2, to almost 2 800 in 1994–5.
During the year the UPGC continued to monitor progress towards a revised structure of tertiary education, with a unified admission point following Secondary 7. A simplified procedure for the joint university and polytechnic admissions system was designed, applicable to those entering the sixth form in 1992 and aiming for a tertiary place in 1994, when the revised structure will be fully in place.
The UPGC also started a major review of the development of tertiary education, to take stock of progress achieved and formulate advice to the government on further development - after 1994-5.
The Research Grants Council
The RGC, established in 1991, advises the government through the UPGC on the needs of institutions for academic research and the funding required, and monitors the use of public research funds. It comprises six locally-based academics, five overseas academics, and three local professionals and industrialists. Three specialist panels comprising mostly local academics consider grant applications in the areas of physical science and engineering, biology and medicine, and humanities and social science. An independent network of academic referees gives impartial advice on research proposals. In 1992 the RGC disbursed $122 million in earmarked grants, and received government approval to increase funding to $144 million in 1993. The RGC and the British Council also jointly sponsored the United Kingdom/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme, aimed at strengthening links between tertiary institutions in the UK and Hong Kong.
The Vocational Training Council
Established under the Vocational Training Council Ordinance and funded by a subvention from the government, the VTC advises the Governor on measures to ensure a com- prehensive system of technical education and industrial training suited to the developing needs of Hong Kong, and administers technical colleges, technical institutes, industrial training centres and skills centres for the disabled. (Two industry sectors, construction and clothing, operate training centres funded by levies under separate statutory authorities). The VTC also administers the statutory apprenticeship scheme. The 23 members of the council include prominent industrialists and academics and four government officers: Secretary for Economic Services, Director of Education, Commissioner for Labour and Director-General of Industry.