XN000022-1997-03-19 — Page 26

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(b)

(c)

whether external examiners will be invited from mainland China and overseas countries to ensure the fairness of the licentiate examination; if not, why not; and

whether consideration will be given to standardising the examination papers of the licentiate examination and those of the final examinations for the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees in the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, so that the standard and assessment criteria of the licentiate examination are put on a par with those of the Faculties of Medicine in these two- universities; if not, why not?

Reply:

Mr President,

(a)

(b)

The Medical Council is empowered under section 7 of the Medical Registration Ordinance (Cap 161) to set an examination, called the "Licenciate Examination", which was termed the "Licensing Examination" after the Medical Registration (Amendment) Ordinance 1995 commenced effective. The passing of the examination shows the achievement of a standard acceptable for registration as medical practitioner.

For this purpose, the Council has established the Licentiate Committee which has the delegated authority to set the Licensing Examination. The Committee is made up of up to ten registered medical practitioners, nominated by The University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Medical Association, the Director of Health and the Hospital Authority. The Chairman of the Committee is elected by the Medical Council from among its members. The experience and expertise of the members of the Committee will enable them to set the examination at a standard acceptable for registration.

Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Licentiate Committee may appeal against the decision in accordance with section 20F of the Ordinance.

I understand that the Licentiate Committee does invite external examiners.