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Overview of the UGC

Role and Functions

The University Grants Committee (UGC) is appointed by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Its main function is to offer independent, impartial and expert advice to the Government on the funding and development of higher education in Hong Kong, and to provide assurance to the Government and the community on the standards and cost-effectiveness of the operations and activities of the UGC-funded institutions. The UGC has no statutory powers. 

Specifically, the Committee makes detailed grant recommendations having regard to the level of funding available, overall student number targets as agreed with the Government, the academic programmes as proposed by the institutions as well as their performance against roles. The Committee also provides the institutions with developmental and academic advice, drawing on the expertise and experience of its members, and monitors the performance of the institutions and promotes higher standards at a system level. 

UGC Funded Institutions

There are eight higher education institutions funded through the UGC: 

City University of Hong Kong (CityU)

Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU)

Lingnan University (LU)

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK)

The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) 

Each of the UGC-funded institutions is an autonomous body with its own Ordinance and Governing Council. The institutions have substantial freedom in the control of curricula and academic standards, the selection of students, conduct of research, staff recruitment and their terms of employment, and the internal allocation of resources. 

Terms of Reference of the UGC

The UGC is appointed by the Chief Executive of the SAR with the following terms of reference: 

(a) To keep under review in the light of the community's needs: 

(i) the facilities in Hong Kong for education in universities and such other institutions as may
    from time to time be designated by the Chief Executive of the SAR; 

(ii) such plans for development of such institutions as may be required from time to time;

(iii) the financial needs of education in such institutions; and 

(b) To advise the Government:

(i) on the application of such funds as may be approved by the Legislature for education in such
    institutions; and 

(ii) on such aspects of higher education which the Chief Executive of the SAR may from time to
     time refer to the Committee.


UGC Members and Secretary-General

Mission Statement of the UGC

The UGC is the non-statutory body which advises the Government of the SAR on the funding and strategic development of higher education in Hong Kong. In this role, the UGC works with Institutions, the Government and the Community to promote excellence in the higher education sector, with a view to establishing Hong Kong as the education hub of the region and to nurturing high quality people to promote the economic and social development of Hong Kong. The UGC will:

(a) oversee the deployment of funds for the strategic development of the higher education sector;

(b) support the continuous development of the higher education sector to achieve greater impact and
     recognition, and as a source of innovation and ideas for the community;

(c) give steering advice to the higher education sector from a system perspective and facilitate institutions to
     fulfill their distinctive roles;

(d) enhance the student experience and advance the international competitiveness in teaching, research and
     knowledge transfer by institutions in accordance with their agreed roles;

(e) facilitate the sustainable development of higher education to meet the demands of the changing times;

(f) encourage deep collaboration among institutions to develop an interlocking system to increase
    international competitiveness of the sector; and

(g) safeguard quality and promote efficiency, cost-effectiveness and accountability in the activities of
     institutions.

In carrying out the above activities, UGC seeks to preserve institutional autonomy and academic freedom, in the context of appropriate financial and public accountability.

 

 

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Last Revision Date: 15 June 2010