ENG-1978 — Page 100

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EDUCATION

approximately 2,200 full-time, 11,200 part-time evening and 1,200 part-time day release students, the total enrolment has increased substantially. In the 1978-9 academic year, there were approximately 6,500 full-time, 16,700 part-time evening and 2,800 part-time day release students.

The polytechnic has three divisions which consist of various teaching departments. They are: Division of Applied Science (applied science, building and surveying, mathematical studies, nautical studies and School of Social Work); Division of Com- merce and Design (accountancy, business and management studies, computing science, design and languages), Division of Engineering (civil and structural engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, industrial centre, mechanical and marine engineering, and production and industrial engineering).

Two institutes also have been established. The Institute of Textiles and Clothing was formed as a result of the re-organisation of the former Department of Textile Industries. In late 1977, the Institute of Medical and Health Care was established with four full-time diploma and higher diploma courses offered for the first time to students in October, 1978. The courses, providing training for paramedical staff, cover radiography, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and medical laboratory science.

The polytechnic offers full-time study programmes of two and three years' duration, leading to the award of a diploma and higher diploma, and one-year full-time post- higher diploma programmes leading to an Associateship of the Hong Kong Poly- technic - AP(HK).

Part-time day release, sandwich and part-time evening programmes, varying in duration from one to four years, lead to the awards of certificate, higher certificate, various endorsements and other qualifications. They are offered in a wide range of technical and commercial subjects.

Short courses preparing candidates for professional examinations are organised throughout the year. Courses in accountancy, building technology, radar operation and textile studies were particularly popular in 1978. Details of courses offered, along with entrance requirements and fees, are given in the polytechnic prospectus.

Financial awards are available to full-time students of the polytechnic, depending on academic merit as well as financial need. These awards are mostly donated by local organisations, firms, professional bodies and individuals and their value ranges from $400 to $5,000 each per annum. In the 1978-9 academic year, more than 400 scholarships, bursaries and prizes were offered to full-time students.

To cater for the increasing demand for library facilities as a result of expansion and reorganisation, the polytechnic library, covering an area of more than 17,800 square metres, has now become fully operational. The library has a collection of 100,000 volumes and an additional 20,000 volumes are being added each year. Eventually, the library will have one of the largest collections of scientific, engineering and business materials in the Far East, with an approximate size of half a million volumes. A messenger service between the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the polytechnic has been introduced to facilitate loans among the three institutions.

The polytechnic maintains close liaison with the community through various channels. Advisory committees are set up for every department, centre and institute, and prominent people from commerce and industry, the civil service and the