ENG-1983 — Page 34

EDUCATION AT THE CROSSROADS

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Not only is the dental faculty the first of its kind in Hong Kong but the collaboration between the faculty and a statutory body in the provision of clinical teaching facilities is also unique in the Hong Kong medical system. Day-to-day working relationship between the two parties within the broad management structure takes time and effort to develop, but it is encouraging to see that the dental faculty is flourishing in a congenial environment.

Medical Course

Just as the HKU made history by establishing a dental school, so the CUHK made its mark again by offering a medical course, beginning in 1981 when 60 students were admitted to the first year of its pre-clinical course. In the same year, CUHK admitted students into the first year of its science faculty as potential medical majors. These students were admitted following the recommendation of the Medical Sub-Committee of the UPGC that opportunities to follow a medical career should be provided to some candidates who had not had the opportunity to qualify for the advanced-level science requirements necessary for entry to the first year of the pre-clinical course. The first batch of students are now undergoing their clinical training at the United Christian Hospital in Kwun Tong pending the completion of a new teaching hospital, the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sha Tin. This is expected to be completed and commissioned, at least in part, to receive medical students by the summer of 1984. The current intake into the medical course at CUHK is 80. The intake will be increased to 120 in 1984 and to 140 in 1985 as more training facilities become available at the Prince of Wales Hospital. HKU also intends to expand its medical faculty and, subject to the provision of more clinical teaching facilities, its annual intake will be increased from the present 150 students to 225.

Polytechnic Degree Courses

Another significant development in the tertiary education system of Hong Kong is that the Hong Kong Polytechnic has been permitted to offer five degree courses, beginning in 1983-4, in social work, computing studies, applied sciences and mathematics, electronic engineering, and mechanical and marine engineering. Three additional degree courses in design, electrical engineering and civil engineering have also been approved for introduc- tion in 1984-5. The Polytechnic is in the process of making other degree proposals which will be validated by the British Council for National Academic Awards before submission to the government for approval. Apart from offering degrees, the Polytechnic is also being expanded to provide more students with polytechnic education. In 1982 the government approved an increase in the capacity of the Polytechnic from 12 000 full-time equivalent students to 13 500 by 1988. Thirty per cent of this student population would ultimately be at degree level. In order to meet Hong Kong's needs for more highly qualified technicians, the Polytechnic has transferred most of its ordinary diploma and certificate courses to the technical institutes so that more places can be provided at the higher diploma level.

A Second Polytechnic

Largely as a result of the recommendations of the Committee to Review Post Secondary and Technical Education, a Planning Committee, composed of the entire Council of the Hong Kong Polytechnic, was appointed in June 1982 to plan a second polytechnic for Hong Kong. This polytechnic was to be established by the late 1980s with an initial capacity of 8 000 full-time equivalent students and be capable of expansion to 13 500 if warranted by demand. The Planning Committee forwarded its first report to the govern- ment in December 1982, and the recommendations have since been accepted.