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We believe the advantages to British and Hong Kong students do not need elaboration, but it is worth noting that the advantages to British students in some subjects of spending a period in the vibrant and competitive atmosphere of Hong Kong could be substantial. We think that this scheme has great potential for demonstrating Britain's long-term commitment to higher education in Hong Kong, and could be of enormous benefit, though it carries a degree of risk. The nuts and bolts would have to be put together with care so we recommend that the British Council bring out from Britain a small group who have wide experience of working with ERASMUS to conduct a feasibility study and suggest how the scheme might be implemented.
British Council input would be in providing air fares and possibly top-up grants, and we would expect some matching funding from the Hong Kong institutions.
4.5
How much sparst
ACADEMIC LINKS SCHEME
There is already an excellent academic links scheme run by the British Council in Hong Kong. Our Terms of Reference asked us to examine it and comment, but unfortunately we were too taken up with other priorities. We would like to see part of the funds currently spent on this programme to be used for academic and administrative staff development via attachments, placements and courses, and exchange of staff. Similarly course design and curriculum development could be assisted through the scheme. Specially focused workshops and seminars could be run in Hong The advantage of an academic links scheme is its flexibility, and it can pick up lots of valuable activities that do not fit into the specific schemes outlined above.
Kong.
British Council support would cover, as at present, travel and subsistence costs only, and Hong Kong institutions would continue to contribute as they do at present.
5.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
5.1 We noted almost everywhere a concern that the level of English was declining. In the higher education institutions themselves there was a degree of worry that teaching in English might be giving way a little to Cantonese, and a feeling that at the professional and academic level there was need for urgent and concrete support to the higher education sector to improve the level of English for students and staff. A number of the institutions run remedial courses in English for first year students and the Education Commission has recommended devoting additional resources to this work.
5.2 It is outside our brief to make specific recommendations
on this issue, but we suggest that the British Council seriously consider
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