ENG-1973 — Page 102

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EDUCATION

Both the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong have financial resources of their own, but are largely financed by the government. Because of the importance of university development and the sums of public money involved, the government needs impartial and expert advice both on the assessment of the amount of grant required to sustain any level of university activity, and on developments necessary to meet the community's requirements for graduates. The government also needs advice on the allocation of funds between the universities. To carry out these functions there is a University Grants Committee appointed by the Governor. It also acts as the formal channel between the universities and the government.

The University Grants Committee was expanded in May 1972 to become the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee to advise the government also on the allocation of funds for the Hong Kong Polytechnic which came into being in August 1972.

The University of Hong Kong was established in 1911 with a land grant from the government and endownments which have since been increased. Substantial government grants are also made towards the university's annual recurrent and non- recurrent expenditure.

The number of undergraduate places in each faculty in 1973-4 were as follows: arts 705; science 467; medicine 758; engineering and architecture 630; and social sciences and law 586. Of these, a total of 910 places were available for new under- graduate entrants. There were also 629 places for postgraduate students-391 reading for higher degrees and 238 for diplomas and certificates-39 students at the Chinese Language School, one visiting student, six external students and two students reading for the Diploma in Chinese Language. The number of full-time teaching posts (in- cluding demonstratorships and tutorships) at the beginning of the academic year was 505. All the degrees and other professional qualifications conferred by the uni- versity are on the same footing as those of the universities in Britain.

The university's Department of Education offers graduates a one-year full-time course leading to a Diploma in Education and a two-year part-time course leading to a Certificate in Education. The department also offers the Master of Philosophy in Humanities following a qualifying examination, either as a six-term part-time period of study spread over two academic years, or as a one-year full-time candida- ture. As in other departments, the Doctor of Philosophy is also available for specially qualified and selected candidates.

The Department of Extra-mural Studies provided more than 217 evening and day-time courses for adult students in 1972-3. During the period July 1972 to June 1973, 5,630 attended regular courses and 402 attended public lectures, seminars and conferences. Some of these courses are conducted in Cantonese and Mandarin but the majority are in English. Subjects vary from oriental studies through a full range of liberal arts to economics, law and commerce, and include a rapidly growing section of vocational and professional courses leading to a number of qualifications, including a University Diploma in Management Studies.