XN000022-1981-03-29 — Page 6

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SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 1981

UNIVERSITY GRANTS FOR 1981-84 APPROVED

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AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE UNIVERSITY AND POLYTECHNIC GRANTS COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS APPROVED RECURRENT BLOCK GRANTS TOTALLING $1 840 MILLION TO THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND THE POLYTECHNIC IN 1981-84 TRIENNIUM.

IN THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1981-82, THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE PROVIDING $426 MILLION TOWARDS THE RUNNING COSTS OF THE THREE INSTITUTIONS. HOWEVER, THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE EXPENDITURE ON THE NEW DENTAL SCHOOL AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG, WHICH IN THE NEXT YEAR WILL REACH $57 MILLION.

THE GOVERNMENT WILL ALSO BE PROVIDING $8 MILLION FOR NEW CAPITAL WORKS PROJECTS IN THE THREE INSTITUTIONS IN 1981-82, IN ADDITION TO THE $182 MILLION WHICH IT IS PROVIDING FOR THE EXISTING APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME.

THIS CAPITAL EXPENDITURE IS IN LINE WITH THE GOVERNMENT'S OBJECTIVE OF PROVIDING, BY 1983/84, PLACES FOR 11 620 STUDENTS AT THE TWO UNIVERSITIES AND FOR 12 000 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENT STUDENTS AT THE POLYTECHNIC.

HOWEVER, THE CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME EXTENDS BEYOND 1983/84 AND ASSUMES CONTINUED ANNUAL GROWTH AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF FOUR PER CENT UP TO 1986/87. THIS GROWTH RATE IS BEING APPRAISED IN THE CONTEXT OF HONG KONG'S OVERALL EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS BY THE COMMITTEE SET UP TO REVIEW POST SECONDARY AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR KENNETH TOPLEY.

THE GRANTS INCLUDE PROVISION FOR DEGREE COURSES AT THE POLYTECHNIC IN A NUMBER OF SUBJECT AREAS. THESE DEGREE PROPOSALS WILL BE ASSESSED BY THE UK COUNCIL FOR NATIONAL ACADEMIC AWARDS AND ARE SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF THE GOVERNOR-IN-COUNCIL.

THE GRANTS ALSO INCLUDE AN EARMARKED GRANT OF $4.6 MILLION FOR THE 1981-84 TRIENNIUM FOR THE INTRODUCTION OF PART-TIME DEGREES AT THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG IN SOCIAL WORK, ENGLISH AND CHINESE, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MUSIC.

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR OVERSEAS MATRICULATION COURSE

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HONG KONG STUDENTS WITH GOOD ACADEMIC RECORDS ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS DONATED BY LEADING LOCAL ORGANISATIONS FOR A TWO-YEAR MATRICULATION COURSE IN OVERSEAS INSTITUTIONS.

AN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE SCHOLARSHIPS, EACH WORTH ABOUT $100 000 FOR TWO YEARS, ARE TENABLE THIS SEPTEMBER AT ATLANTIC COLLEGE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM OR PEARSON COLLEGE IN CANADA.

THE COURSE WILL LEAD TO THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE, WHICH IS RECOGNISED FOR UNIVERSITY ENTRY IN HONG KONG AND IN MOST OTHER COUNTRIES, INCLUDING THE UNITED KINGDOM AND CANADA.

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