ENG-2011 — Page 188

148 Education

To open up further multiple study pathways, the Chief Executive proposed in his 2011-12 Policy Address the setting up of an International Cuisine College under the Vocational Training Council to provide training facilities and progression pathways for people aspiring to become professional chefs proficient in international cuisines.

Supporting Development and Boosting International Recognition

In the face of intense global competition, increased investment in research and development is crucial to enhancing Hong Kong's competitiveness as a knowledge- based economy. The Government is a staunch supporter of academic research in tertiary institutions. This is highlighted in its $18 billion Research Endowment Fund established in 2009.

In recent years, Hong Kong's research activities in a number of fields have attained international recognition. Its universities are accepted as leading institutions in the region and the world, with three of them ranked among the world's top 50 universities by the QS World University Rankings 2011-12.

Underlining its continued support, the Government is injecting a further $5 billion into the Research Endowment Fund, of which $3 billion will support academics in self-financing tertiary institutions, to engage in research in their niche fields. The investment income from the remaining $2 billion will replace the recurrent provision of $100 million to the Research Grants Council to provide stable research funding for publicly-funded tertiary institutions.

Extending Support Services in Schools

The Government provides extra resources in terms of grants and additional teachers to help ordinary schools cater for students with special educational needs (SEN). The EDB also provides schools with professional support, including educational psychology, speech therapy and audiological services, development of resource packages for use of teachers, and consultative school visits.

To enhance teachers' capacity to cater for students with SEN, structured training programmes will also be provided under a teachers' professional development framework for integrated education.

To enhance support for schools in catering for students' diverse educational needs, the school-based educational psychology service (SBEPS) will be further expanded as announced by the Chief Executive in his 2011-12 Policy Address. The intention is to extend the service progressively from about 55 per cent of all public sector primary and secondary schools at present to cover all public sector schools by the 2016-17 school year.

Under the SBEPS, educational psychologists pay regular visits to schools to render comprehensive educational psychology services at the school system, teacher support and student support levels. They provide assessment and intervention for students, training for parents, consultation and professional development for teachers, as well as professional advice on the school policies and practices for supporting students with SEN.