ENG-1972 — Page 105

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EDUCATION

of 73 courses were provided and 11,700 students were enrolled. The courses offered included a number of new technical and commercial ones such as auto-mechanics (theoretical-upgrading), mechanical engineering craft endorsement course (fitting and machining), shipbuilding and repair estimating, audio-typing, Pitman's shorthand and an evening course for mechanical technicians. Of the students enrolled in all courses, 82 per cent attended courses with entry requirements of below Form V level, while the remaining 18 per cent attended post-secondary courses with entry requirements of at least completion of Form V or equivalent.

As a large number of students were on a part-time evening basis, the institute made use of 15 external evening centres on both sides of the harbour to provide part- time evening courses for over 9,000 students.

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The institute maintains close links with industry, commerce, and the apprentice- ship training unit of the Labour Department to gauge local manpower requirements and plan courses directly relevant to community needs. Sponsorship of students also plays an important role in providing technical teacher training, which gives qualified status. The department of technical teacher and workshop instructor training offers both a one-year as well as a two-year full-time training course. It also provides train- ing for in-service technical teachers, as well as training for workshop instructors on a part-time day and a part-time evening basis.

As a result of the efforts and co-operation of the Apprenticeship Training Unit of the Labour Department and the good response and interest shown by industry and commerce, the institute has been able to fulfil an important role in providing part- time day-release training for both craft and technician apprentices in local industry. For the current session, 1,300 registered apprentices have been accepted a 100 per cent increase as compared with the enrolment in 1971. The increasing support given by the motor repair and other industries in sponsoring students for courses run by this institute has resulted in some over-utilisation of facilities.

The existing Morrison Hill Technical Institute building, completed in July 1970, was designed so that an additional floor could be added to the workshop wing at a later date. It was originally estimated that this extra accommodation would not be required for at least five years. However, the demand for the courses offered by the institute has been such that the provision of extra accommodation is now a matter of priority. As a result, the extra floor is to be built as soon as possible and will house three workshops for technical teacher training, mechanical fitting, and electrical in- stallation.

In addition, the institute is making plans to establish a department of printing with equipment donated by the printing industry. This is to meet the demand from the local printing industry for institutional training of apprentices and craftsmen. In the first instance, it is intended to set up temporary printing workshops in premises formerly occupied by the United College of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. At the same time, planning is underway for two more technical institutes at Kwai Chung and Kwun Tong respectively, scheduled for completion by 1975.

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