ROLE
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. |
||||
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. |
||||