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Education

programmes in selected disciplines. It was regularised in 2018-19, with the number of subsidised places increased from about 1,000 to about 3,000 per cohort. Eligible current students of the designated programmes also started receiving the subsidy from that year. The scheme was expanded from 2019-20 to subsidise about 2,000 students per cohort to pursue designated full-time, locally accredited self-financing sub-degree programmes in selected disciplines. Eligible current students of the designated programmes also receive the subsidy.

The Non-means-tested Subsidy Scheme for Self-financing Undergraduate Studies in Hong Kong, launched in 2017-18, provides an annual subsidy of around $30,000, subject to adjustments based on the composite consumer price index, to eligible students pursuing full-time, locally accredited local and non-local self-financing undergraduate programmes, including top-up degree programmes, offered in Hong Kong by 17 eligible institutions. The subsidy applies to Hong Kong students who have attained '3322'2 in the HKDSE for enrolment in eligible first-year-first-degree programmes, and those with relevant sub-degrees for enrolment in eligible top-up degree programmes. In the 2019-20 academic year, about 16,000 students are subsidised.

Governance of Post-secondary Institutions

All UGC-funded universities, the Open University and the HKAPA are statutory bodies governed by their own ordinances. Eleven approved post-secondary colleges are registered under and governed by the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance. Each post-secondary institution has its own structure of governance, normally including a governing body, called the council or board of governors, and a body to regulate academic affairs, called the senate or academic board.

Vocational and Professional Education and Training and Adult Education

In May, the Task Force on Promotion of Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) promulgated its initial recommendations on promoting VPET in secondary schools, reviewing the positioning of VPET in the higher education system, and building clear articulation pathways in the vocational sector under the QF. The task force completed its public consultation in July and will submit its final review report to the government in the first quarter of 2020.

Vocational Training Council

The VTC is a statutory body that offers VPET for school leavers and adult learners. It provided some 250,000 full-time and part-time places during 2018-19.

Quality-assured, internationally recognised full-time and part-time courses up to master's degree level are available for students who have completed Secondary 3 education or above, covering applied science, design, engineering, hospitality, child care, elderly and community services, business, and information technology. The courses are offered through the VTC's 13 member institutions, such as the Hong Kong Design Institute, Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education, Institute of Professional Education and Knowledge, International Culinary

2 '3322' refers to level 3 for Chinese Language and English Language and level 2 for Mathematics Compulsory Part and Liberal Studies. This is the basic entry requirement of publicly funded university undergraduate programmes. Students enrolled in self-financing undergraduate programmes will be subsidised by the government if they have met this requirement.

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