ENG-2001 — Page 215

EDUCATION

award-bearing programmes offered by publicly funded institutions, and persons pursuing continuing and professional courses provided in Hong Kong by registered schools, non-local universities and professional and recognised training bodies may obtain loans to meet the payment of their tuition fees through the Non-means Tested Loan Scheme. With effect from the 2001-02 academic year, a Non-means Tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students has been introduced to provide financial assistance to eligible students covered by the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post- secondary Students to meet their tuition fees and living expenses. This loan scheme is interest-bearing and operates on a no-gain no-loss basis. It allows students to repay their loans over 10 years after their graduation. In the 2000-01 academic year, 10 347 students obtained loans amounting to $306.3 million.

Student Finance Assistance Scheme

The Student Finance Assistance Scheme provides financial assistance in the form of grants and loans to eligible full-time students of the Hong Kong Shue Yan College, a privately funded institution that does not receive any direct government subsidy. In the 2000-01 academic year, 1 065 students received loans totalling $17.8 million. Of these, 974 also received grants totalling $7.6 million.

Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fund

The fund was established to manage public donations made in memory of the late Governor, Sir Edward Youde, who died in service in 1986. It aims to promote education and learning among the people of Hong Kong as well as encourage research. The fund disbursed $11.5 million during the 2000-01 academic year for 928 awards, including local and overseas scholarships and fellowships, awards for disabled students, prizes for outstanding senior secondary students, awards for self-improvement for working adults, and medals for best performers in public examinations. It also sponsored visits of three eminent overseas professors to Hong Kong under its 'Visiting Professorship Scheme' which aims to promote educational and cultural exchange and to enhance Hong Kong's image concerning research and development.

Other Scholarships and Assistance Schemes

The Student Financial Assistance Agency administers other privately funded scholarships and assistance schemes for school students. Many are governed by the Education Ordinance.

Education-related Executive and Advisory Bodies

Members of the community play an important part in the planning and development, management and review of the education system by serving on various advisory bodies. Through them, public views are sought on major initiatives in education and major changes of policies, and on how these initiatives or changes could be implemented most effectively.

Education Commission

The Education Commission (EC) is responsible for advising the Government on the overall educational objectives and policies, and the priorities for implementation. It also co-ordinates the work of all other major education-related advisory bodies on the planning and development of education at all levels. Its membership includes

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