Overview
UGC Members
UGC Members
PRINT
   
UGC Meeting
UGC Meeting  
   
 
         
     
 
The 1998-2001 triennium saw significant advancement of the institutions funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) in different aspects. The triennium also saw the UGC evolving itself with the aspirations of the community as a whole, as well as the needs of the institutions in their pursuit of quality and excellence.

Since mid-1990s, the landscape and focus of higher education in Hong Kong have begun to change gradually, evolving to cope with and cater for new demands arisen from the developments in Hong Kong, and new challenges posed by Hong Kong's competitors. The higher education sector was seen to be paying increasing emphasis to quality and to the pursuit of international excellence, a sign of growing maturity in the provision of and approach to higher education. This shift in focus gained momentum over the triennium from 1998 to 2001.

In the face of these changes, the UGC played a pivotal role both in advising the government on the long-term development of higher education in Hong Kong, and also in assisting the UGC-funded institutions in meeting future challenges through various new and on-going initiatives.

Towards the end of the reporting triennium, the UGC was commissioned by the Secretary for Education and Manpower to conduct another review on higher education in Hong Kong.
 
         
         
 

The UGC, although not directly involved in the work of the institutions, worked hand in hand with them in the pursuit of excellence in the areas of teaching and learning as well as in research. In respect of teaching, while a culture of self-improvement was embedded in the institutions, the UGC sought to promote institutions' performance through various reviews and funding schemes during the reporting triennium. Examples were the conduct of the second Teaching and Learning Quality Process Review, the continued disbursement of Teaching Development Grants and Language Enhancement Grants, etc.

On the side of research, quality and quantity in research activities grew hand in hand in the reporting triennium. A prosperous and deepening research culture was developing in Hong Kong, which was partly attributed to the continued support from the UGC and its Research Grants Council, as well as funding from other sources. This was evidenced in the rising level of university expenditure on research from 0.29% of the Hong Kong GDP in the preceding triennium, to 0.39% in the reporting one.

In respect of academic planning, both the UGC and the institutions were keenly aware of the need to ensure evolving needs of the city's society would be effectively met. In considering institutions' academic planning during the reporting triennium, the UGC worked with the institutions to advance various initiatives responding to the changing need of the economy and the community. One example was the heightened efforts in teacher education as a result of the government's policy direction to upgrade the quality and professionalism of teachers.

 
  Student Photo  
     
  Campus Life  
         
 
During the reporting triennium, the UGC also responded to the community's increasing demands for greater openness and accountability by taking a more active role in promoting public understanding about the higher education sector, its achievements and the role of the UGC. The UGC took steps in the reporting triennium to reach out to its stakeholders through different channels. Among some of its efforts was the production of a TV documentary and a corporate video.

Going forward, the UGC will continue to encourage quality and promote excellence of higher education in Hong Kong. As Hong Kong reinforces its position as the world city of Asia, our higher education will continue to prosper and compete at the level of international excellence, getting our young fully prepared for a rapidly changing world.
 
         
UGC Meeting
UGC Meeting
       
      PRINT
         
Go to Top