Vice-Chancellor's Report 1978-82

current issues and general academic problems to sharpen their research, problem-solving and thesis-writing skills and to enhance their ability i n conducting seminars requiring collective efforts. This is not to say that the General Education Programmes were without their share of problems. The Programmes have to be constantly reviewed and revised by improving the courses on offer or introducing new courses to take into account the views of the students and those of the staff. It is quite clear that General Education courses do not constitute the entirety of General Education. Informal, relatively unstructured education activities outside the classroom by the Colleges when students and staff mix and exchange ideas are also conducive to the grooming of rational, educated human beings. And this is precisely the kind of role for which the Colleges are best suited to perform. Research an d Research Institute s A . Researc h Publication s Reflecting the advances made i n academic research and scholarship, there had been a marked increase i n academic publications on the part of University staff since 1976 which was maintained throughout the period under review. These publications included books, conference proceedings, articles and monographs which had appeared in international, regional and local journals in either English, Chinese or indeed other languages. These significant advances in research and publication were possibly connected wi th the relocation of the Colleges onto one campus, the consequent improvements in facilities, and the formation of departments large enough to foster collaboration and exchange of ideas. The University is particularly pleased to note that the increase in research publications was fairly evenly distributed which signifies that advances had been made by all faculties. Such a significant development must also owe its origin to the availability of academic leadership which had been strengthened gradually throughout this period wi th the recruitment of more doctorate holders and senior academics. B. Majo r Researc h Project s Research had become an integral part of the University's major activities and was vigorously pursued by faculty members either on their own or jointly wi th their colleagues. Needless to say, 23