ENG-1986 — Page 143

EDUCATION

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on the project began in June, and the first phase of the development is expected to be ready for occupation by October 1988.

Hong Kong Baptist College

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The Hong Kong Baptist College commemorated two major events during the year the 30th anniversary of its founding and its recognition in September as a degree-granting institution. The college is fully autonomous and is governed by its own Ordinance. Its statutory governing bodies, the Board of Governors and the Council, are composed of members independently appointed by the government and members nominated by the Baptist Convention of Hong Kong, which founded the college.

The college's goal is to educate students to become well-balanced in academic achieve- ment, professional competence and character development. Courses are offered by depart- ments grouped into four faculties. These faculties are: Arts (departments of Chinese language and literature, English language and literature, music and fine arts, religion and philosophy); Business (departments of accounting, business management, economics, secretarial management); Science (departments of biology, chemistry, mathematics, phys- ics); and Social Sciences (departments of communication, geography, history, social work, sociology). In addition, the language centre, the centre for computing studies and services, and athletics unit provide teaching services to students from all courses.

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All students are full-time and are admitted on the results of the Hong Kong Advanced Level (HKAL) Examination. All courses offered are of three years' duration and lead to the award of a Bachelor's degree or honours diploma. In the academic year 1986–7, there were two Bachelor's degree courses BSc(Hons) in Combined Sciences, and BSW in Social Work, together with 11 honours diploma courses in other disciplines. To ensure maintenance of academic standards, external examiners are appointed to all courses. Each course is broadly based and comprises two essential components: liberal education and vocational preparation. As a provider of such courses, the college fulfills a distinctive role within the local spectrum of higher education.

The degree courses are academically validated by the Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA) in the United Kingdom. In 1986, the UPGC agreed that proposals for two degree courses, Management Studies and Communication, both planned to begin in September 1987, could be submitted to the CNAA for validation. Other degree course proposals discussed with the UPGC during the year included the BA(Hons) in Music and BA with Education Studies.

At the end of the academic year 1985-6, 651 students graduated with the honours diploma award. In 1986–7, applications for admission continued to exceed the number of places, and the average applicant-to-place ratio was 9:1. As of October 1986, full-time student enrolment totalled 2 267, broken down as follows: arts 411, business 644, science 442, and social sciences 770. Additionally, 66 students were enrolled in a special two-year course preparing them to sit the HKAL in Examination in music. There were 188 members of teaching staff, the majority holding higher degrees from overseas institutions. Senior academic and administrative staff are recruited through international advertisement.

The redevelopment of the college campus in North Kowloon which began in 1985 continued on schedule. The redevelopment programme, which involves the construction of five new buildings and the refurbishing of existing buildings, will increase the space available by 80 per cent and is phased in line with the growth of the student population to 3 000 by 1989–90.