This report covers the work of the University Grants Committee (UGC) during the four years from 1 July 1991 to 30 June 1995. The choice of this period continues the Committee's practice of reporting on its work on the basis of funding cycles. Its last report covered the triennium 1988 - 1991; the present report covers the quadrennium 1991 - 1995.

Preparations had already begun in 1988, early in the previous triennium, for a significant expansion of access to first degree places in Hong Kong's higher education institutions after 1991. In 1989, however, following a review of policy on higher education, the Government decided that the plans being made did not go far enough. Speaking at the opening of the 1989-90 Legislative Council session on 11 October 1989, the then Governor, Sir David Wilson KCMG said:

"The Government ........... proposes to upgrade substantially the targets we set ourselves only last year. These would have meant that in the year 1995 for example, there would be first-year, first-degree places for nearly 13% of the relevant age group, compared with about 7% now. This was an ambitious target. But it is now clear that we must be even more ambitious. I have asked the University (and Polytechnic) Grants Committee to increase the planned provision of first-year, first-degree places from about 7,000 next year to about 15,000 in 1995. That means places for over 18% of the relevant age group."

The UGC was charged by the Government with planning and overseeing the implementation of this expansion plan which was to start with the beginning of the next funding cycle in July 1991. The subsequent 20 months were, as may be imagined, hectic for the Committee and the UGC Secretariat. However, with the support and cooperation of the UGC-funded institutions, academic and physical development plans were drawn up and agreed, and the necessary funding approvals obtained, so that the expansion could start on schedule.

At the start of the period, enrolments in the seven UGC-funded institutions, one of which had yet to admit any students, totalled 42,000 full-time equivalent students. Of these, 26,300 were on first degree courses, 12,400 were on sub-degree courses and 3,400 were engaged in post-graduate programmes, either taught or by research.

By 1994-95, when the expansion had been completed and the Government's target had been met on schedule, enrolments had increased to nearly 58,000 full-time equivalent students. Of these, 42,000 were on first degree courses, 9,400 were on sub-degree courses and 6,400 were engaged in post-graduate programmes, either taught or by research.

At the same time as these dramatic changes were taking place in the UGC-funded institutions, the UGC was embarking, in consultation with the Government and the institutions, on the planning process for the next triennium, which will be from 1995 to 1998. The Committee was also developing new approaches to both grant assessment and quality assurance, and reviewing its own role, mission, organization structure and procedures.

The quadrennium 1991 - 1995 has thus been a challenging and demanding time for all concerned with higher education in Hong Kong. We hope that this report adequately reflects the scale and nature of the effort involved and the justifiable sense of achievement shared by all who have had a hand in the results.

UGC Secretariat
April 1996