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Higher education sectors in different parts of the world are developing quickly, and many aim to become "education hubs" to nurture local talents and to attract those from overseas in order to enhance their own international competitiveness. What about Hong Kong? The Chief Executive's 2009-10 Policy Address set forth, among others, the initiative further to develop education services, and to enhance Hong Kong's status as a regional education hub. The University Grants Committee (UGC) welcomes the Government's proposals to further develop the local higher education sector. With five UGC-funded institutions ranked in the top 200 in a relatively large-scale international survey in 2009, our higher education sector is actually doing pretty well. While we are aware of the lack of universally accepted assessment criteria, the UGC is gratified that our institutions' efforts in nurturing talents and conducting research are recognised internationally. These promising achievements are no serendipity, but very much a result of concerted efforts from all stakeholders. Why then is the UGC conducting a comprehensive review at this point in time when the flourishing higher education sector in Hong Kong is doing pretty well? The reason is simple. The UGC considers it important to strive for excellence through regular reviews and refining our strategies. The world of higher education is moving very quickly, Hong Kong's post-secondary education sector is no exception. Apart from the UGC sector, there is now a growing self-financing sub-degree sector. Quite a few colleges are planning to become private universities, while more overseas universities are offering non-local courses in Hong Kong. Cross-border cooperation arrangements between local, overseas and Mainland institutions are also flourishing. It is indeed the right - and challenging - time to conduct a comprehensive review of the higher education sector.
For the above reasons, the UGC embarked on the Higher Education Review 2010 (HER 2010) earlier last year, and established the Higher Education Review Group (HERG) to take forward the review. HER 2010 will examine the development of higher education sector in the context of the entire landscape of the post-secondary education, with particular emphasis on the degree awarding sector. The Review focuses on the vision and role of Higher Education in Hong Kong, teaching and learning quality and the quality assurance mechanism of the entire higher education sector, as well as the research funding mechanism, etc. It also discusses issues of concern by many, including the position of higher education in Hong Kong in the context of globalisation and the rapid development of higher education in Mainland China; and how to facilitate further internationalisation of our institutions. The UGC would like the Review to be fully informed by views from stakeholders. HERG has therefore consulted widely. Apart from the round of consultation held last year, HERG will organise another round of consultation fora with three sessions scheduled for 17 and 21 April 2010 for institutional staff and students. HER 2010 is moving in full swing, and the review report will be available by end-2010. Our aim is to come up with a forward looking document that can assist the Government and the public in reflecting on the purposes of higher education, perceived world trends, and hence the strategies for Hong Kong's higher education system.
The future of the sector is very much shaped by the strategies of today. The UGC hopes that the community will pay more attention to this important issue for the better future of our higher education sector. Hon. Laura M Cha |
