EDUCATION
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Tertiary Education
Ten years ago, less than five per cent of the 17-20 years age-group could receive tertiary education in Hong Kong. By 1994–95, this figure will increase to 18 per cent, with 14 500 places available for first-year first degree courses.
Degrees up to doctorate level awarded by local institutions are widely-recognised by institutions of higher learning around the world. Academic standards are guaranteed by the appointment of external examiners from prominent overseas universities and colleges. Degree-level courses at non-university institutions have been subject to external validation by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation on behalf of the UPGC, but in July the government decided that the two polytechnics and Hong Kong Baptist College should assume responsibility for accrediting their own degree-level courses.
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The Tertiary Institutions
The oldest tertiary institution is the University of Hong Kong, founded in 1911. Its 9 631 full-time and 2 760 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 9 428 full-time and 2 185 part-time students in seven faculties: arts, business adminis- -tration, education, engineering, medicine, science and social sciences.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic, established in 1972, offers postgraduate, first degree and sub-degree courses in six faculties: applied science and textiles; business and information systems; communications; construction and land use; engineering; and health and social studies. Concurrent work and study are encouraged by providing part-time and sandwich courses, and the polytechnic has close links with industry, commerce and the community in general. Enrolment in October was 10 192 on full-time and sandwich courses and 12 252 on part-time courses.
Hong Kong Baptist College was founded in 1956 by the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong. In 1983, it was incorporated under its own ordinance and became fully funded by the government. Since 1986, it has been empowered to_award degrees, and all courses are now at first degree level or above. It has 3.813 full-time and 1 159 part-time students in five faculties and schools: arts, business, communications, science and social sciences.
The City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, founded in 1984, has 8 452 full-time, 6 545 part- time and 391 sandwich course students. The four faculties of business, humanities and social sciences, law, and science and technology offer first degree courses, postgraduate diplomas and taught master's degrees, as well as Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees by research. Diploma and higher diploma courses are offered by the College of Higher Vocational Studies through its divisions of commerce, humanities and social sciences, and technology.
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology was incorporated in 1988 and admitted its first students in October 1991. Three schools - science, engineering, and business and management offer first and higher degrees. The fourth school, humanities and social sciences, offers higher degree programmes and provides general education to all undergraduates. In October, the university had 3 120 full-time undergraduate students, 450 full-time postgraduate students and 350 part-time postgraduate students. At its first