EDUCATION
Research Grants Council
The Research Grants Council (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, nine overseas academics and four local professionals and industrialists.
Grant applications are considered by four specialist panels composed mainly of local academics, covering physical sciences, engineering, biology and medicine, humanities, social sciences and business studies. An independent network of academic referees provides impartial advice. In 1997-98, the RGC received a record number of 1 368 applications and disbursed $423 million in grants for academic research.
To stimulate and encourage industrial participation in and support for applied research at tertiary institutions, the RGC allocated $12 million to five Co-operative Research Centres, each of which had one or more industrial/business partners.
During the year, the RGC and the British Council jointly sponsored the United Kingdom/Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme, which has operated since 1991, aiming at strengthening existing links between local and British tertiary institutions. The RGC also operated a similar scheme with the German Academic Exchange Service. The latter scheme ran for a second year after a very successful trial in 1996.
Vocational Training Council
The Vocational Training Council (VTC) advises the government on measures to ensure a comprehensive system of technical education and industrial training suited to Hong Kong's developing needs. It also administers technical colleges, technical institutes, industrial training centres, skills centres for the disabled and the Apprenticeship Ordinance. Its membership comprises leading figures in industry, commerce and service sectors, educators, representatives of workers and government officials.
Twenty training boards and eight general committees have been set up to help the VTC implement its technical and industrial training programmes. Their main tasks include assessing manpower needs and recommending measures to meet such needs, prescribing job specifications, training programmes and trade test guidelines, and overseeing the operation of training centres and trade testing.
The Education and Manpower Bureau has completed a consultancy study on the VTC with the aim of mapping out its future direction and enhancing its effectiveness and flexibility in meeting the changing needs of the Hong Kong economy. The VTC has devised some measures to implement those recommendations arising from the review which have been accepted by the government.
Hong Kong Examinations Authority
The Hong Kong Examinations Authority (HKEA) is an independent and self- funding statutory body, with members drawn from the teaching profession, tertiary institutions and the business community. It operates two local public examinations: the HKCEE and the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE). It also offers proficiency tests in Putonghua aimed at adults. On behalf of overseas and local examining bodies, it conducts many examinations leading to academic, professional or practical qualifications.
137