ENG-1987 — Page 149

EDUCATION

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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).

All courses require three years of full-time study (except the computing studies diploma which requires two years), and students are admitted on the results of the Hong Kong Advanced Level (HKAL) Examination. Demand for places has always outstripped the supply and for 1987-8 there were nine qualified applicants to every place. In October 1987, the total full-time student enrolment was 2 569, with a breakdown by faculty of: Arts 468, Business 721, Science 500, and Social Sciences 880. Additionally, there were 68 students in a special two-year pre-music course, preparing them to sit the HKAL examination. The teaching staff strength stood at 205. Most staff hold higher degrees from overseas institutions. Senior academic and administrative staff are recruited through international advertisement.

Under the central educational philosophy of educating students to become well-balanced in academic achievement, professional competence and character development, each course is designed to be broad-based and with two essential components - liberal education and vocational preparation. The development of communication skills is always emphasised. As a provider of such courses, the college fulfils a role distinct from the universities and polytechnics and plans to introduce postgraduate courses while increasing the number of undergraduate courses in the coming years. The degree courses are academically validated by the UK Council for National Academic Awards (CNAA). In 1987, the BSocSc(Hons) in Communication was approved by the CNAA, while two other degree course proposals – BA(Hons) in Music, and BA(Hons) with majors in Arts and Social Sciences were submitted to the CNAA. External examiners are appointed to all courses.

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The Division of Continuing Education helps to satisfy the rising demand for education by people in employment, through offering a broad spectrum of courses, mostly part-time, which are professional, vocational, and of general or cultural interest. The 1 000 courses offered during the year were attended by 40 000 students.

The year also witnessed increasing funding support for research work and growing academic exchanges with institutions in China and other countries overseas. The collection in the fully-automated library has expanded to 188 000 volumes, and additionally there is a collection of rare materials for research on contemporary China. The centre for educational development provides support to staff in the areas of educational technology, software production, and curriculum development.

Construction work has begun on two new buildings, which are for student amenities and for additional teaching accommodation for the Communication Department. Three other buildings - to accommodate the Science and Business and Administration faculties; and to provide a Sports Centre are at an advanced stage of design. Altogether, this campus re-development will increase the space provision by 80 per cent and will be completed in 1989-90, in time to cater for the needs of 3 000 students in undergraduate and postgraduate

courses.

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Planning for Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Following a decision by the government to establish a third university in Hong Kong, a Planning Committee was appointed in September 1986. The Planning Committee is charged with the task of giving advice to the government on all matters relating to the