ENG-1980 — Page 108

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EDUCATION

scheme. The scheme, administered by the Joint Universities' Committee on Student Finance, ensures that lack of means does not prevent students from taking up places in either of the two universities. The amount of public funds available for student financing has increased substantially over the years. For the 1980-1 academic year, $10 million in grants and $28 million in interest-free loans have been provided.

The student finance scheme was extended to Hong Kong Polytechnic students in 1976-7. Some $1.6 million in grants and $17.8 million in loans were provided by the government for polytechnic students in 1980-1. The grants and loans are administered by the Poly- technic Committee on Student Finance.

A Committee to Review Post-Secondary and Technical Education was established in November, 1980, to undertake an in-depth study of Hong Kong's higher education require- ments. This review was ordered by the Governor in Council in the light of advice from the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee and in response to concern expressed by the Advisory Committee on Diversification. The committee comprises both unofficial and official members and aims to report its findings in mid-1981.

Hong Kong Polytechnic

The Hong Kong Polytechnic developed from the former Hong Kong Technical College and was formally established in 1972. The bulk of the polytechnic's finances comes from the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee.

The Polytechnic has 17 teaching departments grouped under three divisions. The divisions are: the Division of Applied Science (comprising the departments of applied science, building and surveying, mathematical studies, nautical studies and the school of social work); the Division of Commerce and Design (comprising the departments of accountancy, business and management studies, computing studies, design, institutional management and catering studies, and languages); and the Division of Engineering (comprising the depart- ments of civil and structural engineering, electrical engineering, electronic engineering, industrial centre, mechanical and marine engineering, and production and industrial engineering). In addition, there are two institutes the Institute of Medical and Health Care and the Institute of Textiles and Clothing. A Centre of Environmental Studies began operating in January, 1980, to provide training in protecting and improving the environment. During the year, some of the polytechnic's diploma and certificate programmes were transferred to technical institutes run by the Education Department. This was in accordance with proposals contained in the government's White Paper on the Development of Senior Secondary and Tertiary Education.

Presently, the polytechnic offers full-time, sandwich, part-time day release and part-time evening programmes of one to four years' duration. They lead to the awards of associateship, advanced higher diploma, higher diploma, diploma, higher certificate, certificate and other qualifications, and cover a wide range of both technical and commercial subjects. In addition, mixed-mode study programmes have been introduced under which students are permitted to take units in a suitable combination during the daytime and in the evenings. Short courses preparing students for professional examinations are also organised. Details of the programmes offered, together with the entrance requirements and their professional recognition, are given in the polytechnic prospectus published annually.

Since 1972, student and staff numbers have increased tremendously. At the beginning of the 1980-1 academic year, there were approximately 7,200 full-time students (including sandwich programme), 3,400 part-time day release, 14,500 part-time evening and 200