University Grants Committee clarifies press reports on institutional integration

In response to press enquiries at the Employers' Forum today (September 22), the Chairman of the University Grants Committee (UGC), Dr Alice Lam, made clear that contrary to some press reports which suggested the UGC has a timetable for merger, this is simply not the case. The UGC has no timetable on the subject of merger. But we do have a timetable for meetings and the next UGC meeting is in January 2004.

Dr Lam said that the future of the higher education system was a very important question and it was right that, in that context, the idea of merger should be properly considered. But the UGC had an open mind on the matter and would approach the subject with no pre-conceived ideas. As Prof John Niland, Convenor of the Institutional Integration Working Party (IIWP) established under the UGC, made clear last week, the aim of the study is to prepare a paper setting out some options, and for these to be widely debated.

To help the UGC achieve this, the IIWP will invite the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) to offer their views on the advantages and drawbacks of institutional integration, both from the perspectives of the institutions and the overall interest of Hong Kong.

Prof Niland will meet with, inter alia, the Reference Groups of CUHK and HKUST in November this year. Thereafter, the IIWP will produce the Options Document for consideration by the UGC in January and for subsequent university and public debate.

Monday, September 22, 2003