ENG-1990 — Page 181

EDUCATION

UK/HK Governments Joint-Funding Scheme

Under the joint-funding arrangement between the governments of the United Kingdom and Hong Kong, grants are made on the basis of need to full-time students who are attending first degree or Higher Diploma courses in the United Kingdom, to meet the difference between the home fees and overseas student fees. During the year, grants totalling £4 million and loans totalling $21 million were paid to 1 701 students.

UK-HK Scholarships

The scope of the UK/HK Governments Joint-Funding Scheme was expanded in 1988 to include a number of UK-HK scholarships awarded on merit. The aim of the scholarships is to provide further educational opportunities at the tertiary level in the United Kingdom for outstanding local students.

The scholarship fund is made up of a total of £250,000, contributed equally by the United Kingdom Government and the Jockey Club on behalf of the Hong Kong Government.

For the 1990-91 academic year, nine scholarships were awarded.

Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund

The Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund was established on April 1, 1987, to manage public donations received in memory of the late Governor Sir Edward Youde who passed away in service in December 1986. The assets of the fund stood at over $94 million on March 31, 1990.

In accordance with Lady Youde's wishes, it has been provided in the Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund Ordinance that the income of the fund is to be used for promoting the education and learning of the people of Hong Kong and for the encouragement of research activities.

In the 1990-91 academic year, eight students were awarded fellowships and scholar- ships to finance their postgraduate or undergraduate studies overseas. For local studies, 36 fellowships were awarded to postgraduate research students and 70 scholarships to undergraduate, diploma and certificate students. Four students who excelled in local public examinations, eight disabled students in tertiary institutions, and 567 senior secondary students nominated by the heads of their schools also received awards from the fund.

The value of all awards made in the 1990-91 academic year was about $3.8 million.

Student Travel Allowance Scheme

The Student Travel Allowance Scheme provides assistance to students to meet part of their travelling expenses between their residences and schools. All full-time students between the ages of 12 and 25 who have not yet completed their first degree are eligible to apply. During the year, 366936 students received the allowance, totalling $209.37 million.

School Textbooks Assistance Scheme

Introduced in 1982, the School Textbooks Assistance Scheme is aimed at offering assistance to needy students studying at primary or junior secondary levels in government aided schools and private secondary schools with bought places, for the purpose of pur- chasing school textbooks. During the year, 89 532 students were provided with assistance, totalling $19.05 million.

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