WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 1991
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MEASURES BY UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF TEACHING
THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS HAVE IMPLEMENTED A NUMBER OF MEASURES AS PART OF THEIR ONGOING EFFORT TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF TEACHING, DURING THE PAST TWO ACADEMIC YEARS (1989-90 AND 1990-91), THE SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER, MR JOHN CHAN, INFORMED THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TODAY (WEDNESDAY).
IN A WRITTEN REPLY TO A QUESTION BY THE HON RITA FAN, MR CHAN SAID THESE MEASURES INCLUDED:
*
REGULAR EVALUATIONS ON A COURSE/DEPARTMENT/FACULTY BASIS;
INCLUSION OF STUDENT FEEDBACK AS PART OF THE REGULAR EVALUATION PROCESS, IN ADDITION TO THE LONG-STANDING SYSTEM OF EXTERNAL EXAMINERS;
PROVISION OF IN-SERVICE TRAINING COURSES AND INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR FURTHER STUDIES; AND
* SETTING UP OF STAFF RESOURCE CENTRES AND PROMOTION OF A
VARIETY OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES.
HE SAID THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE HAD ALWAYS STRESSED TO THE INSTITUTIONS THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN GENERAL, AND TEACHING STANDARDS IN PARTICULAR.
то ENSURE THE MAINTENANCE OF THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE QUALITY IN TEACHING, THE COMMITTEE EMPHASISED THAT THE INSTITUTIONS SHOULD RECRUIT STAFF OF THE RIGHT CALIBRE, PROVIDE THEM WITH APPROPRIATE INTELLECTUAL AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES, AND FULLY INVOLVE EXTERNAL ADVISERS, ASSESSORS OR EXAMINERS IN SUCH A WAY THAT THEY COULD HAVE AN EFFECTIVE INFLUENCE ON THE SYSTEM.
MR CHAN ADDED THAT AMONG THE PROMOTION CRITERIA FOR ACADEMIC STAFF IN THE UPGC-FUNDED INSTITUTIONS, SATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE IN TEACHING WAS EMPHASISED, AS WELL AS RESEARCH, SCHOLARSHIP AND ADMINISTRATIVE ABILITY.
**THE INSTITUTIONS ATTACH WEIGHT TO EACH OF THESE ATTRIBUTES ACCORDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS.'
"
THE SECRETARY SAID THE INSTITUTIONS WERE AWARE OF THE CHALLENGE TO TEACHERS POSED BY THE WIDENING OF THE CATCHMENT AREA OF THEIR STUDENT INTAKE.
"WHILE THEY WILL CONTINUE WITH A VARIETY OF STAFF DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES, GREATER EMPHASIS WILL BE PLACED ON MEETING THE DEMANDS OF
NEW STUDENTS.
"THE INSTITUTIONS ARE ACTIVELY CONSIDERING POSSIBLE MEANS TO IMPROVE THE LEARNING ABILITY OF STUDENTS.
"THE
TECHNIQUES
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PRIORITY AREAS ARE THE INTRODUCTION OF LEARNING LANGUAGE ENHANCEMENT AND STRENGTHENING OF
RESOURCES, HE SAID.
COUNSELLING
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