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Michael V STONE, JP,
Secretary-General UGC
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The function of the UGC Secretariat is to support the
UGC (and the Councils and bodies under its aegis) in the fulfillment of its terms of reference. That is
impartially: to advise the Government on the funding needs and the strategic development of the eight publicly-funded higher
education institutions; and to safeguard the institutions’ academic freedom on the one hand while ensuring
accountability of the public funds entrusted to them on the other.
In this role the Secretariat has a staff of 70 with the main functions of: drafting discussion papers and formulating
action plans to take forward UGC initiatives; working with the UGC-funded institutions on all fronts relevant to the
committees’ terms of reference; and disbursing funds to institutions and monitoring their effective use.
The UGC’s Council and Sub-Committee structure
and functions are set out in the chapter “Role and Functions”. Two new Groups were established in 2010-11 – the 2012-15 Academic Development Proposals
Group and the Financial Affairs Working Group. The Academic Development Proposals Group advises the
UGC on the academic development planning exercise for the 2012/13 to 2014/15 triennium; whereas the Financial
Affairs Working Group works with UGC-funded institutions to help ensure the continuing good financial governance
and sound financial planning having due regard to the principle of institutional autonomy. With the conclusion of
its work, the Higher Education Review Group, which took forward the work leading to the release of the “Aspirations
for the Higher Education System in Hong Kong”, was wrapped up in January 2011; while the Investment Group
was also wrapped up, following the successful placement of the $18 billion Research Endowment Fund with the
Hong Kong Monetary Authority.
The Secretariat has also strengthened its academic professional expertise by
appointing an Academic Research Advisor, seconded from a local institution, to
assist the Chairman, RGC and the Secretary-General on research matters such as those relating to the
implementation of the Theme-based Research Scheme, improvement to the operation relating to Earmarked
Research Grants, and the possible restructuring of the RGC.
Information in this Report is also available on the UGC Website www.ugc.edu.hk. You may also find other useful
information about the sector on the website.
Expenditure Statement of the UGC Secretariat
Chart 1 below summarises the expenditure of the UGC
Secretariat in 2010-11, which covers the recurrent UGC operating expenditure; the recurrent subventions to
institutions; and the non-recurrent expenditure.
Chart 1: Expenditure Statement for the year ended
31 March 2011
|
Year Ended 31 March |
| |
2011
$’000 |
2010
$’000 |
| (1)
Recurrent UGC Operating Expenditure |
|
|
|
Staff Related Expenditure |
|
|
|
• Civil Services Salaries |
25,860 |
24,848 |
|
• Allowances and MPF Contribution |
1,615 |
1,948 |
|
Departmental Expenditure |
|
|
|
• General Departmental Expenses (Note) |
21,615 |
22,448 |
|
Expenditure for Members |
|
|
|
• Honoraria for Overseas Members |
6,068 |
4,980 |
|
• Meeting Expenses |
13,084 |
9,492 |
|
(i.e. air passage and hotel, etc.) |
|
|
|
|
Sub-total (1) |
68,242 |
63,716 |
|
| (2)
Recurrent Subventions to Institutions |
|
|
|
Recurrent Grants to Institutions |
10,547,586 |
10,857,372 |
|
Refund of Government Rent and Rates |
156,605 |
149,285 |
|
Subventions for Housing Related
Expenses
|
311,465 |
469,002 |
|
|
Sub-total (2) |
11,015,656 |
11,475,659 |
|
| Total Recurrent Expenditure (1)+(2) |
11,083,898 |
11,539,375 |
|
| (3) Non-Recurrent Expenditure |
|
|
|
General Other Non-recurrent |
|
|
|
• Fifth Matching Grant Scheme |
1,000,000 |
0 |
|
|
Sub-total (3) |
1,000,000 |
0 |
|
| TOTAL (1) + (2) + (3) |
12,083,898 |
11,539,375 |
|
Note
This includes salaries for non civil service contract staff and fees
for professional and other hire of services.
The recurrent UGC operating expenditure remains very low
as a percentage of total expenditure – at 0.6%. But it has been on an increasing trend due to the
need to appoint
more overseas Members to the RGC and the increase in projects received by the RGC. The UGC, through its
General Affairs and Management Sub-Committee, keeps a close eye on all operating expenditure and with the
Secretariat has established clear internal rules and levels of approval authorities
governing various matters (such as
the award of consultancy contracts). The UGC Secretariat is a government department and thus we naturally follow
rigorously all civil service and Government financial and accounting regulations. In
addition, the agreement is
sought from either the Chairman, UGC or the convenor of sub-committees, for offering consultancy contracts above $50,000 through the
invitation of single quotations.
The advice of the General Affairs and Management Sub-Committee – or UGC – is required for any item of expenditure above $1
million drawn from the Central
Allocation Vote (CAV). The Sub-Committee also receives regular reports from the Secretariat on the year-to-date
expenditure position and other internal administrative and financial matters.
Local Members of the UGC and all its Councils and Sub-Committees/Panels
receive no remuneration for their extensive voluntary service – save for a $200 per meeting
day travel allowance. Overseas Members receive an annual honorarium for their tremendous contribution. The
rates were originally approved by the Legislative Council and are adjusted by the government according to an
approved formula. They currently stand at:
(HK$ per annum /quality
qudit)
|
UGC |
115,250
|
| RGC/QAC |
72,650
|
|
UGC Sub-Committees,
RGC |
|
| Panels*
and QAC Audit Panel
|
42,050
- 56,050
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* payable only to members outside Hong Kong who
are co-opted and do not
serve on UGC/RGC proper
Michael V Stone, JP
Secretary-General
University Grants Committee
May 201 1
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