EDUCATION
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(f) The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU);
(g) The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST); and
(h) The University of Hong Kong (HKU).
Each of these institutions is an autonomous statutory body with its own Ordinance and governing bodies. They have freedom to manage their own affairs within the restraints of the law. As they are largely supported by government funds, and because of the social, cultural and economic importance of higher education, the government and the public at large have a legitimate interest in the operation of the institutions to ensure that they are providing higher education in the most cost-effective manner and are serving the needs of the community. The UGC advises the government on the development of these institutions and on their financial needs. The eight institutions have distinctive and complementary roles which reflect their varying origins and the way they have responded to Hong Kong's complex and evolving needs. The UGC's aim is to develop a system of higher education that has an appropriate balance between programmes at different levels and in different areas through teaching, research and other means.
Established in 1984 as the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, the CityU was awarded university status in 1994. It offers over 90 programmes including higher diplomas and postgraduate courses, with a strong emphasis on professional and vocational training and linkages with industry. These programmes are run by the three faculties (Faculty of Business, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and Faculty of Science and Engineering), the School of Law, the School of Creative Media and the College of Higher Vocational Studies.
HKBU was founded by the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong in 1956 as the Hong Kong Baptist College. In 1983, it was incorporated through legislation as a tertiary institution capable of offering degree courses, and became 100 per cent funded by the government. In 1989, the college became the third tertiary institution in Hong Kong to operate fully at the degree level. It was accorded formal university title and status through legislation in 1994. The university now offers 39 undergraduate programmes, 10 taught postgraduate programmes, and research programmes through its five faculties/schools of arts, business, communication, science and social sciences.
LC was founded in 1967 as a private college to continue the fine traditions of the former Lingnan University in Guangzhou (Canton), China. It became a publicly funded post-secondary college in 1979 and was upgraded to a degree-awarding institution in 1992. It aspires to develop itself into a small, fully residential, world- class liberal arts university. It now offers five degree programmes in Chinese, English, Translation, Business Administration and Social Sciences, and four Master of Philosophy degree programmes.
CUHK was established in 1963 by bringing together New Asia College (founded in 1949), Chung Chi College (1951) and United College (1956). A fourth institution, Shaw College, was founded in 1986. It provides undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through seven faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Medicine, Science and Social Science.
HKIEd was established in September 1994 by merging the four Colleges of Education and the Institute of Language in Education. Since its establishment, the