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City Polytechnic of Hong Kong

EDUCATION

The City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, which opened its doors to students in October 1984, conferred awards on its first graduates in November 1986. The graduates were: 20 holders of the Higher Diploma in Business Studies, 74 Diplomates in Social Work, and 21 part-time students who were awarded the Higher Certificate in Translation and Interpretation. By the end of the year, most of the graduates were already in employment.

Another important development during the year was the introduction of degree programmes - the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Business Studies and in Public and Social Administration. Both courses were evaluated by external advisers from the community, as well as representatives from the United Kingdom Council for National Academic Awards. Two other new courses, in Information Technology, were also introduced, making a total of 20 courses offered by the eight academic departments of: Accountancy, Building and Construction, Business and Management, Computer Studies, Electronic Engineering, Languages, Mathematics and Science, and Social Administration. These courses, offered in full-time, part-time, sandwich and mixed modes, represent different levels of study, namely Higher Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma, Professional Diploma, Postgraduate Di- ploma, and Degree.

The intake of about 2 000 new full-time and part-time students in October 1986 brought the total student population to about 4 500.

The polytechnic's courses are designed to provide a wide range of general and specific areas of knowledge, made possible by the application of a modular system. This enables parts of the courses to be taken in common by students of different departments, so that they can appreciate the wider application of their own studies. It also enables full-time and part-time students following the same programmes to study courses of similar content and ultimately to receive the same awards. Practical case studies or placements are also emphasised so that students are better prepared to take up employment immediately after graduation.

The City Polytechnic adopts a centralised approach in the provision of academic support services, substantially reducing duplication of manpower and equipment. Its library has a collection of 50 000 volumes, 1 800 titles of serials and periodicals, and 1750 items of non-print materials. A new catalogue production system using compact laser discs was recently installed. A polytechnic-wide computer network has been established by the Computer Centre and various computer-aided packages, intelligent work stations and computer literacy programmes are being developed. The Educational Technology Centre provides audio-visual facilities to all classrooms and such other special teaching rooms as language and video laboratories. A video distribution system enables video programmes to be shown from a central source in any classroom. The Centralised Laboratories and Workshops deal with the laboratory requirements of those academic departments needing such support, and the laboratories are designed around activities common to departments. During the year, contacts with international institutions of higher education increased, particularly with those in China. A formal agreement on academic exchange was signed with Zhongshan University in March 1986.

The polytechnic's research base was consolidated by a grant of $1 million from the UPGC for 1986–7. This enabled more projects to be supported. In addition, some research projects were supported by major international companies.

The polytechnic is currently operating from its interim campus in Argyle Centre Tower II in Mong Kok. The contract for site formation work for the permanent campus on a 12.2-hectare site at Tat Chee Avenue in Kowloon Tong was awarded in April 1986. Work