Vice-Chancellor's Report 1978-82

hostel life also tend to be more active participants in college-based events. The highly diversified interests of the student population are perhaps best illustrated by the presence of a large number of clubs, societies and interest groups. In 1982, there were over 60 of such organizations catering to all types of intellectual and recreational pursuits, and their activities were in general well attended. Partly to compensate for the loss of opportunity which some non-resident students keenly feel to be their due, United College started the first non-residential hall of the University in 1981 and the response so far has been overwhelmingly favourable. A student learns not only from studying the standard works of great minds but also by associating with good teachers and through regular contacts with their own peers. It is and will remain a goal of this University to provide them with the opportunity to pursue knowledge in this kind of congenial and intellectually stimulating environment. Graduate Employment The University pays very close attention to the career pattern of graduates and monitors such development through the Appointments Service of the Office of Student Affairs. Over the years, virtually all graduates of the University were able to secure satisfactory employment within a few months after graduation. Their performance was, generally speaking, very much to the satisfaction of their employers, and many have distinguished themselves in such diverse fields as banking and finance, China trade, electronic data processing, electronics, mass communication and social work. Traditionally the three major career avenues of graduates have been teaching, commerce and industry, and the Civil Service, and the career destinations of first-degree graduates during the period under review became more diversified than before. The percentage of graduates joining the education sector dropped from 43.5% in 1979 to 35.1% in 1981, in spite of the fact that teaching vacancies were on the increase. Correspondingly, there was an increase of graduates entering the business sector and the Civil Service, from 38.5% and 10.3% in 1979 to 43.9% and 13.6% respectively in 1981. The balance was somewhat upset in 1982, when employment opportunities in the non-teaching sectors were affected by the slowdown in the world economy. It is anticipated that a more diversified 12