EDUCATION
A working group was set up to review the guidelines on civic education in schools, which was scheduled for implementation in 1996. Work continued on projects including curriculum integration, and the development of curricula for the academically-gifted and the less able. The Fung Hon-chu Gifted Education Centre was established to develop school-based projects for academically gifted children and as a venue for related training programmes. A school-based curriculum tailoring scheme for academically low achievers was piloted in 10 schools and has been extended to 53 others.
The Language Fund Advisory Committee
The Language Fund Advisory Committee, set up in 1994 and comprising language experts, educators and business people, advises the government on policies and procedures governing the operation of the Language Fund. By the end of the year, on the advice of the committee, grants amounting to $95.2 million for 70 projects were approved. They aimed to raise standards in Chinese (including Putonghua) and English.
University Grants Committee
The UGC is appointed by the Governor to advise on the development and funding of higher education, and administer public grants to the seven publicly-funded tertiary institutions. It comprises 10 overseas academics, four local academics and four local professionals and businessmen. Its secretariat is staffed by civil servants.
Since the UGC was set up in 1965, full-time equivalent student numbers have increased more than 15 times, from 4 100 in two universities to 62 000 in seven institutions. The major expansion of places which began in 1988 was completed by 1994-95.
After publishing its interim report on the review of development of higher education in Hong Kong for consultation in 1994, the UGC proceeded to the next stage of the review in 1995 to consider the development of higher education beyond the 1995-98 triennium. It aims to submit a report to the government in early 1996. In early 1995, the committee decided to undertake teaching and learning quality process reviews of the UGC-funded institutions, starting in January 1996, to ensure that mechanisms for promoting and improving the quality of teaching and learning in the institutions are operating properly.
In April, the UGC paid a fact-finding visit to Guangdong Province, China. Useful discussions were held with Guangdong officials and institutions on many education issues. Delegates gained a better understanding of Guangdong's higher education system and its industrial and economic development.
Research Grants Council
The RGC advises the government, through the UGC, on the needs of tertiary institutions for academic research and the funding required, and monitors the use of public research grants. It comprises seven local academics, six overseas academics and three local professionals and industrialists.
Grant applications are considered by four specialist panels composed mostly of local academics, covering physical sciences, engineering, biology and medicine, and humanities, social sciences and business studies. An independent network of academic
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