ENG-1998 — Page 213

EDUCATION

Research Grants Council

The Research Grants Council (RGC) advises the government, through the UGC, on the needs of tertiary institutions for academic research and the funding required, and monitors the use of public research grants. It comprises seven local academics, eight overseas academics and four local professionals and industrialists. During the year, the RGC reviewed its role and mission after seven years of operation. The findings are expected to be available in early 1999.

Grant applications are considered by four specialist panels composed mainly of local academics, covering physical sciences, engineering, biology and medicine, humanities, social sciences and business studies. An independent network of academic referees provides impartial advice. In 1998-99, the RGC received a record number of 1 418 applications and disbursed $428 million in grants for academic research.

To stimulate and encourage industrial participation in and support for applied research at tertiary institutions, the RGC allocated $20 million in 1998-99 to Co-operative Research Centres, each of which had one or more industrial/business partners.

During the year, the RGC continued to operate the joint research schemes with the British Council, the German Academic Exchange Service, the French National Centre for Scientific Research to strengthen existing links between local and overseas tertiary institutions.

Vocational Training Council

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) advises the government on measures to ensure a comprehensive system of vocational education and technical training suited to the needs of Hong Kong's evolving economy. It administers technical colleges, technical institutes, industrial training centres, skills centres for persons with a disability and the Apprenticeship Ordinance. Its membership comprises leading figures in industry, commerce and the service sectors, employee representatives and government officials.

During the year, a new complex of 18 training boards and five general committees. has been set up to help the VTC implement its training programmes. The main tasks of the training boards and general committees include assessing manpower needs and recommending measures to meet such needs, prescribing job specifications, training programmes and trade test guidelines, and overseeing the operation of training centres and trade testing.

The VTC also continued to implement the agreed recommendations arising from the 1996 consultancy study with the aim of enhancing its effectiveness and flexibility in meeting the changing needs of the Hong Kong economy. In this respect, by 2002 the VTC will have unified the existing two technical colleges and seven technical institutes to form a single academic and training institution, which will be known as the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education. This will make it possible to provide courses that can meet the evolving needs of Hong Kong's industry and commerce, and will also help promote vocational education and training as an appealing alternative to traditional academic education.

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