TNAG-1606-FCO40-22121-Minutes-and-Hansards-of-the-Legislative-Council-of-Hong-Kong-1987 — Page 104

Sir,

DRAFT SPEECH BY HON WONG PO-YAN, OBE,

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

C

25.3.87

JP

Hong Kong Baptist College Annual Report 1985-86

Tabled before this Council today is the audited

statement of accounts and annual report of activities of the

Hong Kong Baptist College for the year 1985-86.

As the Chairman of the College's Board of Governors

and Council, I am delighted to report that the 1985-86 year has

witnessed many positive developments in the College and the details of these are recorded in the annual report now before

this Council.

The foremost among the highlights of the year is that the College has gained approval to offer two bachelor degree

courses, in Combined Sciences and Social Work, after these

courses were given high marks by the academic validation teams

from the UK Council for National Academic Awards. As of now,

these two degree courses have already enrolled students and

they are running smoothly. During the year, there was a 9%

increase in the number of academic staff while the total

student population was held at zero growth. All additional staff were appointed at the senior ranks. Increased funding

has been allocated to staff research. These research

activities have not only increased in quantity but also

expanded in scope and improved in quality. The library which provides essential support to teaching and research, has become computerized with a fully-integrated automation system, and its collection has expanded by 12% to reach a new high of 150,000

volumes. The campus re-development programme proceeded on schedule and a temporary site near the campus, at Renfrew Road, was acquired as decanting space for the staff and students during the period of construction work on campus.

(I)