To improve the effectiveness of the evaluation mechanism, the RGC endorsed the formation of a new subject panel and two sub-panels to assess the applications submitted under various research funding schemes:

(a) a Business Studies Panel be established under the RGC to replace the Business Studies Sub-Panel; 

(b) the Humanities, Social Sciences and Business Studies Panel be renamed as the Humanities and Social Sciences Panel;

(c) a Mechanical, Civil & Materials Engineering and System Design Sub-Panel be formed under the Engineering Panel; and

(d) an Arts and Humanities Sub-Panel be formed under the Humanities and Social Sciences Panel.