ENG-1990 — Page 180

EDUCATION

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Open Education

The Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong (OLI) was formally established in June 1989 as the seventh degree-granting institution in Hong Kong, following an active period of planning and the enactment of legislation. This was followed by a visit from the United Kingdom Council for National Academic Awards to help establish the academic standard of the institute and its programmes.

Enrolment of students commenced in August 1989 and the public response turned out to be overwhelming. Over 200 000 application forms were distributed and 60000 actually applied for entry. Consistent with the concept of open access, the applicants were selected on a random basis after the OLI provided careful counselling on the nature and the vigorous demands of studying open learning courses. In September 1989, about 4000 students were enrolled on various foundation courses leading to degree awards. The OLI was firmly committed to expanding its capacity to offer high-quality academic programmes to satisfy the public demand for higher education. Second and third enrolments followed in April and September 1990 enlisting a further 11 000 students.

The institute offers a second chance for those who have been unable to go on to further education after leaving school, as well as opportunities for workers and managers to update their qualifications and for personal development. It offers degree programmes through three Schools: Science and Technology, Business and Administration, and Arts = and Social Science.

The institute adopts a multi-media approach to instruction, broadcasting many high- quality programmes on public television. Its regulations give great freedom to adults in employment who may study in ways, at times and at rates that suit the demands of work and family. Apart from printed texts supplemented by audio-visual materials, it provides extensive tutorial support through its headquarters at Trade Department Tower in Mong Kok and at a regional study centre in Wan Chai.

Student Finance

The Student Financial Assistance Agency was established on August 1, 1990, to take over administration of all financial assistance and scholarship schemes previously undertaken by the Education and Manpower Branch and Education Department for students at all levels of study. These schemes include: the Local Student Finance Scheme which provides grants and loans to students attending local tertiary institutions; joint-funding arrangement between the governments of the United Kingdom and Hong Kong to assist local students to pursue tertiary education in the United Kingdom; grants and loans to students of the Colleges of Education, Shue Yan College and Lingnan College; subsidies for local travel; disbursements for textbook assistance and fee remission, the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Scholarship and Awards Schemes, and various other scholarships aimed at reward- ing outstanding achievement and academic excellence.

Local Student Finance Scheme

Full-time students who are attending local tertiary institutions are eligible, on the basis of evident need, for grants to cover their faculty expenses, tuition fees and student union fees, and for loans to meet their living expenses. During the year 8856 students received loans totalling $90.1 million, and 7064 of these students also received grants totalling $46.8 million.

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