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EDUCATION

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University Grants Committee (UGC) for first-year first-degree courses. On top of this, about a further 12 per cent of the relevant age group have access to tertiary education in other forms (for example, sub-degree programmes and vocational training) or go to universities overseas. To enhance the global outlook of local students, the institutions are encouraged to enrol non-local undergraduates and taught postgraduates, up to 4 per cent of their approved targets. Furthermore, they are allowed to recruit non-local research postgraduates up to one-third of the total numbers. Degrees up to doctorate level awarded locally are recognised by institutions of higher learning around the world. Academic standards are guaranteed by the appointment of external examiners from prominent overseas universities and colleges. The Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation validates courses and programmes offered by some institutions that are not self-accrediting.

Higher Education Institutions

Hong Kong has 10 degree-awarding higher education institutions, eight of which are funded through the UGC. Seven of the eight are universities and the remaining one is a teacher training institution. Two other degree-awarding tertiary institutions are not funded by the UGC. They are the publicly funded Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the self-financing Open University of Hong Kong.

The eight higher educational institutions funded through the UGC are: (a) City University of Hong Kong (CityU);

(b) Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU);

(c) Lingnan University (LU);

(d) The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK);

(e) The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd);

(f) The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU);

(g) The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST); and (h) The University of Hong Kong (HKU).

Each institution is an autonomous statutory body with its own ordinance and governing body. They are free to manage their own affairs within the parameters of the law. As they are largely supported by government funds, and because of the social, cultural and economic importance of higher education, the Government and the public at large have a legitimate interest in the operation of the institutions to ensure that they are providing higher education in the most cost-effective manner and are serving the needs of the community. The UGC advises the Government on the development of these institutions and on their financial needs. The eight institutions have distinctive and complementary roles that reflect their varying origins and the way they have responded to Hong Kong's complex and evolving needs. The UGC's aim is to develop a system of higher education that has an appropriate balance between programmes at different levels and in different areas through teaching, research and other means.

CityU, established in 1984 first as the City Polytechnic of Hong Kong, was granted university status in 1994. CityU has a student population of about 16 000 enrolled in over 100 programmes at postgraduate, undergraduate and associate degree levels. These programmes are run by the three faculties (Business, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Engineering), the School of Law, the School of Creative

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