The new Chairman, UGC, Dr Edgar Cheng, JP, at his first meet-the-media session held today, outlined the recent work of the Committee.

Dr Cheng said: "After a period of rapid expansion in the last few years, higher education in Hong Kong has now entered a period of consolidation. The current task of the UGC is therefore mainly assisting the institutions to further improve their quality from their existing foundation."

"The UGC's main tasks are :

1. assisting the institutions in improving the quality of their teaching, research and management;

2. enhancing the equipment in information technology and their utilization in the institutions; and

3. building Hong Kong into a regional center of higher education."

Dr Cheng remarked: "The UGC is now undertaking management reviews of the institutions. Regular and adhoc reviews and evaluations on teaching and learning, and research are also being separately conducted. The UGC has set aside funding for Teaching Development and Language Enhancement Grants and is working on a development plan for Areas of Excellence to encourage the institutions' quest for excellence."

Dr Cheng said: "At present, our higher education institutions provide a multi-disciplined curriculum, a good quality teaching and research environment and modern facilities. Our achievements in these areas are well recognised by the education sector." He believes that the future development of our higher education must take into account the following needs of the community :

1. maintaining our competitiveness in the international market, developing Hong Kong into a knowledge- and technology-based society;

2. creating a good environment for learning, producing graduates with balanced development; and

3. enhancing the ability of our students to live and work in the China of the 21st Century.

Dr Cheng finally stressed that " the UGC will take into account the advice of other advisory committees, the Government and tertiary institutions, and the overall development of Hong Kong when considering the future development of our higher education with a view to ensuring that our institutions will continue to fulfill their important and valuable roles and responsibilities in society."

10 June 1998