There are seven higher education institutions (HEIs) which are funded through the University Grants Committee (UGC). These institutions, listed alphabetically, are as follows :

1. City University of Hong Kong (CityU)

2. Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)

3. Lingnan College (LC)

4. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

5. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

6. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

7. The University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Each of these institutions is and will continue to be an autonomous corporation, with its own Ordinance and Governing Council. They have freedom to manage their internal affairs within the restraints of the Laws of Hong Kong. Because all are largely supported by public funds, and because of the social, cultural, and economic importance of higher education, the Government and the community at large have a legitimate interest in the operation of the institutions to ensure they are providing high standards of education in the most cost-effective manner. The UGC advises the Government on the development of these institutions and on their financial needs.

The HEIs are diverse in character and in the differing contributions they make to the educational, cultural and economic development of Hong Kong. The differentiated roles of the institutions reflect their varying origins and the way they have responded to the complex and evolving needs of Hong Kong. At present CUHK, HKUST and HKU concentrate on first and higher degree work, emphasizing scholarship and research; CityU and PolyU offer a range of programmes including diplomas and postgraduate courses, with a strong emphasis on professional and vocational education; and HKBU and LC are developing as predominantly degree-awarding institutions, aiming at providing a broad general education rather than a specialised professional training.

The distinctive and complementary roles of the institutions suit the community interest, making the best use of available resources. The UGC views the system of higher education as a whole and, as far as possible, seeks to reconcile the aspirations of individual institutions with the needs of the territory. The aim is to develop a system of higher education that has an appropriate balance between programmes at different levels and in different areas and in which the institutions make contributions to the community through the provision of trained manpower, research collaboration, consultancy and other means. The UGC is conscious that a degree of co-ordination is necessary to avoid over-provision and under-provision at particular levels and in certain areas. It may not be practicable to meet all the aspirations of all institutions. Nevertheless, the Committee recognises that teaching is the common denominator of the HEIs. It also fully appreciates that research and scholarly activities are essential to academic health.

The Government decided in 1989 to implement an expansion plan for the UGC- funded sector during 1991-95, with a view to increasing the present provision of first-year first-degree places to 14,500 in 1994-95, thereby providing education for about 18% of the mean of the relevant age group. This was an ambitious expansion plan which allows the whole UGC- funded sector to increase substantially the provision of degree places, at both first-degree and postgraduate level. It meant that not only were there more students and new courses to be taught, but many more academic staff have been required to teach to degree level. Furthermore, postgraduate studies, taught and research, are being pursued in places where they had not been present previously, or where they had previously been present at a low level they have been significantly expanded.

In such a situation the maintenance of academic standards in general and teaching standards in particular, is a major challenge, the more so in an environment of budgetary constraint. The UGC places particular emphasis on effective procedures for monitoring teaching and learning quality and cost-effectiveness. It recognizes that different methods of quality assurance may be appropriate in different situations and does not seek to prescribe any particular method as being of general application; however, it expects to see the full involvement of external advisors, assessors or examiners in such a way that they can have an effective influence on the system.

This major expansion of the system of higher education will not have been fully effective unless there is proper scope for intellectual and professional development of academic staff to meet the new teaching challenges. For different individuals in different fields in different institutions professional development is achieved in different ways that include consultancy work, involvement in professional associations, advanced scholarship, editorial work, research and publication. The balance between these activities varies between institutions, between fields and between individuals.

Against the above background, the roles of the seven HEIs, as currently seen by the UGC in broad terms, are described in sub-paragraph (a)-(g) below. This description which is intended to be illustrative, rather than exhaustive, serves as the basis for the Committee's assessment of academic plans and cost estimates from the institutions.

1. City University of Hong Kong

   1. offers a range of courses leading to the award of Diplomas, Higher Certificates, Higher Diplomas and First Degrees;

   2. offers a relatively small number of higher degrees and has research programmes in some subject areas;

   3. emphasises the application of knowledge and vocational training; and

   4. maintains strong links with industry and employers.

2. Hong Kong Baptist University

   1. provides predominantly courses at first degree level in Arts, Business, Communication Studies, Science and Social Sciences;

   2. offers a small number of higher degrees and has research programmes in some subject areas;

   3. emphasises a broad general education, to prepare students for entry to careers which require a wide intellectual background;

   4. runs courses which provide suitable preparation for a career in teaching at primary and secondary schools; and

   5. maintains strong links with the community.

3. Lingnan College

   1. will offer first-degree courses in Arts, Business, and Social Sciences;

   2. provides a General Education Programme which seeks to offer all students a broad educational perspective;

   3. may run a small number of higher degree programmes and has research work in some subject areas; and

   4. maintains strong links with the community.

4. The Chinese University of Hong Kong

   1. offers a range of programmes leading to the award of First Degrees and postgraduate qualifications;

   2. covers a range of subjects including Arts, Science, Social Science, and Business Administration;

   3. incorporates professional schools, such as Medicine, Architecture, Engineering and Education;

   4. offers research programmes for a significant number of students in every subject area; and

   5. provides scope for academic staff to undertake consultancy and collaborative projects with industry in areas where they have special expertise.

   6. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

      1. offers a range of courses leading to the award of Certificates, Diplomas, Higher Certificates, Higher Diplomas, Professional Diplomas and First Degrees;

      2. offers a relatively small number of higher degrees and has research programmes in some subject areas;

      3. emphasises the application of knowledge and vocational training; and

      4. maintains strong links with industry and employers.

   7. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

      1. provides a range of programmes leading to the award of First Degrees and postgraduate qualifications;

      2. includes professional schools, particularly in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Business;

      3. offers courses in Humanities and Social Science only at a level sufficient to provide intellectual breadth, contextual background and communication skills to an otherwise scientific or technological curriculum, and limited postgraduate work;

      4. offers research programmes for a significant number of students in every subject area; and

      5. provides scope for academic staff to undertake consultancy and collaborative projects with industry in areas where they have special expertise.

   8. The University of Hong Kong

      1. offers a range of programmes leading to the award of First Degrees and postgraduate qualifications;

      2. covers a range of subjects including Arts, Science, Social Sciences, and Business Administration;

      3. incorporates professional schools eg Medicine, Dentistry, Architecture, Education, Engineering and Law;

      4. offers research programmes for a significant number of students in every subject area; and

      5. provides scope for academic staff to undertake consultancy and collaborative projects with industry in areas where they have special expertise.