ENG-1993 — Page 170

EDUCATION

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The institute developed and tested new projects including learning programmes, integration of subjects, curricula for the gifted and the less able, and a modular curriculum. It continued to review textbooks and advise schools on their use. It liaised with the Hong Kong Examinations Authority and teacher training institutions on the development and evaluation of the curriculum.

The University and Polytechnic Grants Committee

The UPGC is appointed by the Governor to advise on the development and funding of higher education, and to administer public grants to tertiary institutions. Its membership is comprised of nine overseas academics, five local academics, and three local professionals and businessmen. No government officials sit on the committee, but its secretariat is staffed by civil servants.

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Since 1965, when the then University Grants Committee was set up, full-time equivalent student numbers have multiplied more than 12 times, from 4 100 in two universities to more than 51 000 in seven institutions. These (in order of age as a degree-awarding institution) are the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic, Hong Kong Baptist College, City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Lingnan College.

The successful achievement of the planned expansion of tertiary education in the period to 1994-95 depends crucially on recruiting and retaining academic staff of the right calibre. The UPGC provides advice and assistance to the institutions, and is closely monitoring the staffing situation. To help train local students for careers in Hong Kong's tertiary sector, the number of places for postgraduate degrees by research is being increased from about 1 300 in 1991-92 to almost 2 800 in 1994–95.

During the year, the UPGC continued to monitor progress towards a revised structure of tertiary education, based on normative three-year degree courses with admission after completion of the two-year sixth form course. It continued to review the development of higher education in the period 1991-2001, and submitted an interim report describing progress in the expansion and restructuring programme to date, and anticipating the 1995-98 triennium and beyond.

The Research Grants Council

The council advises the government, through the UPGC, on the needs of tertiary institutions for academic research and the funding required, and monitors the use of public research grants. It comprises six locally-based academics, five overseas academics and three local professionals and industrialists. Grant applications are considered by three specialist panels comprising mostly local academics, covering physical sciences and engineering, biology and medicine, and humanities and social sciences. An independent network of academic referees provides impartial advice. In 1993–94, the council disbursed $155.6 million in earmarked grants for academic research projects. Spending is planned to increase to $180 million in 1994–95. The council and the British Council jointly sponsored the United Kingdom-Hong Kong Joint Research Scheme, aimed at strengthening existing links between tertiary institutions in Britain and Hong Kong.

The Vocational Training Council

Established under the Vocational Training Council Ordinance and funded by public subvention, the VTC advises the government on measures to ensure a comprehensive

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