ENG-1986 — Page 141

EDUCATION

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The polytechnic has 22 academic units organised into divisions and institutes. The Division of Applied Science comprises the Departments of Applied Science, Mathematical Studies, Nautical Studies, the School of Social Work and the Centre of Environmental Studies. The Division of Commerce and Design comprises the Departments of Account- ancy, Business and Management Studies, Computing Studies, Institutional Management and Catering Studies, Languages, and the Swire School of Design. The Division of Construction and Land Use comprises the Departments of Building and Surveying, Building Services Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineering, and the Centre of Land and Engineering Surveying. The Division of Engineering comprises the Departments of Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical and Marine Engineering, Production and Industrial Engineering, and the Industrial Centre. The two institutes are the Institute of Medical and Health Care and the Institute of Textiles and Clothing.

The polytechnic offers a wide range of courses to meet the demands of commerce, industry and the community. Study programmes are offered in different modes of attendance, namely full-time, sandwich, parti-time day release, part-time evening and mixed. Successful completion of these courses will lead to the awards of degree, associate- ship, professional diploma, higher diploma, diploma, post-registration certificate/diploma, endorsement certificate, higher certificate, certificate and certificate of proficiency.

Degree programmes offered during the year were: BA(Hons) in Business Studies; BA(Hons) in Computing Studies; BA in Design; BA(Hons) in Textile and Clothing Marketing; BEng(Hons) in Civil Engineering; BEng(Hons) in Electrical Engineering; BEng(Hons) in Electronic Engineering; BEng(Hons) in Manufacturing Engineering; BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering; BEng in Building Services Engineering; BSc(Hons) in Combined Studies in Mathematics and Science, and Bachelor of Social Work.

Since 1981, the polytechnic has conducted a phased schedule of discontinuing the bulk of its diploma and certificate level work as corresponding courses are offered by the technical institutes. This phased schedule reflects the polytechnic's move towards a greater propor- tion of higher level academic work.

The polytechnic also offers short full-time and extension courses to meet the needs of the community. A total of 633 students enrolled in the short full-time courses and 9 624 students enrolled in the extension courses in 1985-6.

Research activities continued to grow significantly, with the research grant in 1985–6 nearly tripling the previous year's. The major areas of research included environmental studies, immunoassay techniques, offshore engineering, CAD/CAM, electric power sys- tems, industrial automation, textile technology, VLSI fabrication techniques together with applied biology and chemistry.

The polytechnic also continued to give high priority to staff development. The funding of staff development programmes in 1985-6 increased by 42 per cent over the previous year's. It also continued to establish new contacts and maintained close liaison with academic, research and professional institutions in China and overseas.

The polytechnic's library has seating capacity for 1 600 readers, as well as special facilities for disabled persons. Its book collection has grown to 360 000 volumes.

The campus covers nearly nine hectares and is located in Hung Hom, Kowloon. Construction of the proposed Phase IIIA development began during the year to provide a new administration block, additional teaching and staff accommodation, a small theatre, and an improved main entrance.

The sports pavilion and outdoor sports facilities which are under construction will be ready for use during the academic year.