ENG-2000 — Page 217

EDUCATION

The UGC also launched a scheme to support the development of Areas of Excellence in the UGC-funded institutions. This aims to identify existing areas of strength in the UGC-funded institutions and develop them into excellent groups which would be recognised internationally as of equal status to their peers elsewhere and which would justify substantial investment in state-of-the-art facilities. The first round, which was concluded in September, awarded $126 million over five years to three projects. The UGC launched the second round of the scheme in January 2000. In order to develop Hong Kong into a regional centre for higher education and to enhance the global outlook of local students, the UGC has secured a generous donation from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust to launch a scholarship scheme for three years starting from the 1999-2000 academic year to support 150 outstanding students annually from top universities in the Mainland to pursue undergraduate studies in Hong Kong.

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 has awarded. Its members comprise local academics, overseas academics as well as local professionals and industrialists.

Research grant applications received from the UGC-funded institutions are considered and assessed by the RGC's four specialist subject panels which are composed mainly of local academics, covering physical sciences, engineering, biology and medicine, humanities, social sciences and business studies. The panels are assisted in their work by an independent network of international academic referees who provide impartial and expert advice. In 2000-01, the RGC received a total of 1 652 applications for its Competitive Earmarked Research Grant exercise and supported a total of 642 projects. During the year, the council disbursed a total of $468.3 million for academic research.

During the year, the RGC continued to operate joint research schemes with the German Academic Exchange Service and the French Consulate General in Hong Kong to strengthen existing links between local and overseas tertiary institutions. There is also a joint research scheme with the National Natural Science Foundation of China to foster closer collaboration between academics in the Mainland and Hong Kong.

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 the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, industrial training and development centres, skills centres for persons with a disability and the Apprenticeship Ordinance. Its membership comprises representatives from the industry, commerce and service sectors, employee representatives and government officials.

During the year, 18 training boards and five general committees, together with a newly established Chinese Cuisine Training Institute Training Board, continued 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

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