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University of Hong Kong

EDUCATION

In its 75 years of existence, the University of Hong Kong has grown from modest beginnings to its present student population of 8 000. It has faculties of arts, architecture, dentistry, education, engineering, law, medicine, science and social sciences. The univer- sity's central estate is on the northwestern slopes of Hong Kong Island. The Faculty of Medicine is adjacent to Queen Mary Hospital, the university's teaching hospital, and the Faculty of Dentistry is located in the Prince Philip Dental Hospital in Western District.

With the exception of the Faculty of Education, which at present teaches postgraduate students only, all of the faculties teach both undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Most undergraduate courses are of three years duration, except courses for the degrees of Bachelor of Architecture, Bachelor of Dental Surgery, and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, which are of five years duration, and those for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Quantity Surveying, which are of four years duration. All courses lead to honours degrees, and are mainly taught in English.

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At postgraduate level the university offers facilities for both Master's and Doctor's degrees. Master's degrees by coursework are available in a number of subjects and the Master of Philosophy degree is awarded on the basis of research at Master's level. Doctorates are awarded on the basis of research. In 1986 there were well over 1000 students studying for higher degrees.

Close links are maintained with other universities through the Association of Common- wealth Universities and the Association of Southeast Asian Institutes of Higher Learning. The structure of the degrees and the governance of the university are based mainly on the British system, and eminent academics, generally from Britain and the United States, visit the university as external examiners in each subject area at least once every three years and moderate each year's finals papers.

Competition for places at the university is intense and in August 1986 there were 10 times the number of applications from qualified candidates as there were places available. Academic staff are recruited by international advertisement.

The university is in the middle of a substantial building programme. The Hsu Long Sing Amenities Centre was recently opened, bringing to three the number of such centres. Accommodation is provided for 25 per cent of undergraduate students. A number of postgraduate students and academic visitors can be accommodated at Robert Black College.

To help students who are unable to obtain a place in a hall of residence, and who do not have suitable facilities at home for studying, the university has increased its emphasis on the provision of general amenities over the past few years. The centres provide study and rest rooms, games and music rooms, and restaurant facilities.

Adjoining the new centre, and a part of the same complex, is the Simon K. Y. Lee Hall of residence, which provides accommodation for 300 students. The complex also houses new premises for the students' union and a part of the Faculty of Engineering.

The Kadoorie Agricultural Research Centre in the New Territories was opened in June 1986. The centre provides facilities and accommodation for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies and research, including among others, agriculture, botany, meteoro- logy and zoology. It is also available to other higher education and research institutions.

Construction work began last year on the 20-storey K. K. Leung academic building. When completed in 1988, the building will house the Departments of Law and Professional Legal Education, and the Departments of Economics, Management Studies, Social Work and Sociology.