The First Six Years 1963-69

In 19665 the Department was advised by Dr. Alexander A. L iver ig h t , Director o f the Center for the Study o f Liberal Education for Adults at Boston University. Among his recommendations were that steps be taken to provide for more professional staff, that ad ditional part-time degree courses be planned and that more class room space be rented in convenient areas. In 1 9 6 6 , the Tsuen Wan programme was started and received solid response from the residents o f this industrial satellite town in the New Territories. I t later became a separate un it bu t continues to progress along w ith the entire programme. The Department has also organized and sponsored many conferences and seminars ， in cluding an Assembly on University Adu lt Education in 1 9 6 6 ; a Seminar on the Press and Social Changes in Hong Kong ， in col laboration w ith the Mass Communications Centre in 1 9 6 9 ; and a Seminar for Civics Teachers and a Seminar on Management and Labour Relations ， in association w ith Rotary Club o f Hong Kong Island West ， in 1 9 6 9 . The most important o f all, perhaps ， was the Translation Symposium held in February, 1969. Ten renowned translators, specialists and scholars from Australia ， Manila, Taipeh and the U.S.A. delivered talks in their special fields at this three-day Symposium. Translation has assumed a more and more important role in this bi-lingual and international city. The Symposium, therefore, reflected and tried to meet an urgent need o f the Hong Kong community. In A p ril 1969, the Department o f Extramural Studies estab lished its own Town Centre at Star House ， Tsimshatsui ， Kowloon. Prior to this, classes had been held at the Department's own head quarters, the School o f Education, the C ity Ha ll, the U.S.I.S. Lecture Theatre ， British Council Libraries and the Foundation Colleges. The Town Centre is ， in effect, the result o f an accom modation crisis. The amount o f public space available by borrow ing was shrinking and the leasing o f space became the only feasible and expedient alternative. Unfortunately, the general rise in office rentals now being experienced is complicating the space situation anew. The Extramural Department has shown itself able and w illing to adjust its plans and policies to meet the overall needs o f the com munity. There is no reason why this policy should not continue to be followed in the future. The Department is, in fact ， looking ahead to the future w ith confidence. One important aspiration o f the Extramural Department is the inclusion in its work o f a number o f part-time degree programmes. This w ill remain an important aspect o f its long-range planning. The Department w ill also in troduce a series o f T V programmes some time in early 1970 ， after months o f preparation. Although a relatively simple operation, this 69