Members appointed to the UGC are all prominent in their field. They are either eminent academics from Hong Kong and abroad, or prominent local leaders. Overseas members are drawn from around the world to ensure that the Committee is well-informed of developments and trends in other jurisdictions. This mixture of local and overseas members is also evident in the composition of UGC's sub-committees/working groups/task forces.

Members are appointed on their personal capacity. In view of their role which may have significant influence over the evolution of policy and the application of resources in the higher education sector, no UGC member should serve on the governing body of any UGC-funded institution, unless such a position has arisen out of his/her regular employment (e.g. in the case of local academic members) and has been declared and accepted. A two-tier reporting system to avoid conflict of interest has also been put in place.

During the reporting period, there were a number of changes to the composition of the UGC. Dr Edgar W K Cheng, JP, retired from the chairmanship of the UGC in January 1999 and Dr Alice Lam, JP, was appointed to succeed him as Chairman since February 1999. Full membership of the UGC, with changes highlighted, is in Appendix III.