UGC Annual Report 2009-2010

Activities Review

The "3+3+4" Academic Reform

The UGC and the funded institutions are committed to the implementation of the "3+3+4" academic reform. The UGC is aware of the challenges that lie ahead and the tremendous amount of work needed to make the transition a success. Thus, the UGC positions itself as a strong supporter and facilitator, by providing financial support, offering independent advice, and liaising between the Government and the UGC sector.

(A) Academic Development

The four-year undergraduate academic structure will be implemented starting from 2012/13. This is a landmark milestone of Hong Kong's education reform, and the UGC attaches utmost importance to its preparation.

The UGC has been working hand-in-hand with the Administration and the institutions on a wide array of issues, including the double cohort, capital works, improvements in teaching and in students' learning experience, curriculum enhancement, student admission, etc. The UGC has a dedicated "3+3+4 Group" which provides a platform for supporting and overseeing institutions' preparatory work in this significant exercise.

The implementation of the four-year undergraduate academic structure emphasises broader learning experiences and more flexible choices in course offerings, and is not a simple add-on to the current three-year undergraduate curriculum. As such, institutions are taking the opportunity to do a complete overhaul of the curriculum, and the revised curriculum will incorporate new elements (e.g. inter-disciplinary or multi-disciplinary studies, all-round education, whole person development, outcome-based learning, etc.) and ensure their coherence. Some of the new elements are being phased in during 2009-12, so as to benefit existing students enrolling on three-year undergraduate curriculum.

"Admission to Universities under the '3+3+4' Transition" - second symposium sponsored by the UGC on "3+3+4" related issues held on 25 April 2009

Starting from December 2008, the UGC is also sponsoring a series of idea-sharing symposia, hosted by institutions in turn, to bring together relevant stakeholders and sectors representatives in discussing "3+3+4" topics such as interface issues, admission, core curriculum, etc., in a deeper context. These activities have been well received by the participants and helped identify key areas of concern.　

Chart 4:“3+3+4” idea-sharing symposia sponsored by the UGC in 2009-10

Dates	Hosting Institution(s)	Topics
25 April 2009	HKUST	Admission to Universities under the "3+3+4" Transition
12 May 2009	LU/HKU	Core Curriculum
3 June 2009	CUHK	General Education
5 June 2009	HKBU	Cultural Education & History
14 December 2009	PolyU	Enhancing and Assessing Students' Learning Outcomes for the New 4-year Curriculum
23 January 2010	CityU/HKBU	Language Issues for University Graduates
1 March 2010	HKU	Standards Based Assessment and Honours Classification

The UGC will continue to review with the institutions the progress in the preparation for "3+3+4". The UGC will also carry on facilitating the exchange of views formally and informally between the UGC sector and the Administration, with a view to ensuring that the new undergraduate structure delivers and enhances our students' higher education experience.

"Enhancing and Assessing Students' Learning Outcomes for the New 4-year Curriculum" - the sixth symposium sponsored by the UGC on "3+3+4" related issues held on 14 December 2009

(B) Capital Works for Implementation of "3+3+4"

The implementation of the new normative four-year undergraduate programme will result in a substantial increase in overall undergraduate enrolment at UGC-funded institutions. The institutions will need to increase their campus space and facilities in order to provide a suitable teaching and learning environment in support of the new academic programmes. The UGC has supported the 12 capital works projects proposed by its funded-institutions to provide the additional space required for implementation of "3+3+4".

In 2009-10, the UGC continued to work closely with the institutions in taking forward these projects. Funding for all the 12 capital works projects necessary for implementation of "3+3+4" has been approved by the LegCo. The total estimated costs of these projects amount to $5.84 billion. Construction works of all the projects have commenced and are expected to be completed before September 2012. The timelines of some projects are indeed tight. The UGC is closely monitoring progress, and where necessary will invite institutions to consider the need for contingency plans, having regard to the progress of the projects.

In addition, in 2009-10 the UGC has supported four Alterations, Additions, Repairs and Improvements (AA&I) proposals from institutions to carry out consequential works related to their "3+3+4" capital projects. It is expected that more AA&I proposals will be submitted by institutions in the coming years for spatial reorganisation works in their existing campus to tie in with the completion of the "3+3+4" projects.

Capital Works Projects for Implementation of "3+3+4"

Note : All images are artist's impression

(C) Funding for the "3+3+4" Reform

The Government has set aside $550 million for the eight UGC-funded institutions for "3+3+4" preparation. This is being used for early engagement of additional academic, professional and supporting staff to prepare for various changes and ensure smooth migration under the four-year undergraduate programme, as well as for development of the administrative systems, etc. The UGC has so far released $143 million to institutions and the remaining sum will be allocated over 2010/11 and 2011/12.

It is current government policy that institutions will receive about $1.8 billion in annual recurrent funding to implement the additional year of undergraduate study.　