Chapter 6: UGC Operations
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The UGC is appointed by the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Its main function is to offer impartial and expert advice to the Government on the development and funding of higher education in Hong Kong. Specifically, the Committee determines precise grant recommendations on the basis of the level of Government funding, overall student number targets specified by the Government, and their distribution among various academic programmes as proposed by the institutions to meet community needs. The UGC also provides the institutions with academic advice having regard to international standards and practice, and monitors academic standards of the institutions. Terms of Reference and Mission Statement of the UGC are in Appendix II.

There are eight institutions under the purview of the UGC. They are, in alphabetical order, 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) and The University of Hong Kong (HKU).

 
 

The UGC has neither statutory nor executive powers. Each of the UGC-funded institutions is an autonomous body established under its own Ordinance with its own governing council. The institutions have substantial freedom in the control of curricula and academic standards, the selection of staff and students, and the internal allocation of resources. Nevertheless, because the institutions are largely supported by public funds and in view of the importance of higher education, the Government and the community at large have a legitimate interest in the operation of the institutions to ensure that they are providing the highest possible standards of education in the most cost-effective manner.

In this respect, the UGC's role is to provide assurance to the Government and the community on the standards and cost-effectiveness of the institutions' operations and activities. The Committee thus acts as a "buffer" safeguardingthe academic freedom and institutional autonomy of the institutions on the one hand, while ensuring value for money for the taxpayers on the other.

   
         
 
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City University of Hong Kong Hong Kong Baptist University Lingnan University The Chinese University of Hong Kong The Hong Kong Institute of Education The Hong Kong Polytechnic University The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology The University of Hong Kong