Vice-Chancellor's Report 1978-82

Chapter 4 Institutional Developmen t and Facilities Institutional Development After the restructuring of the University following the enactment of The Chinese University of Hong Kong Ordinance 1976, the three Colleges of the University began to settle into their new roles. While every effort was made to preserve the historic traditions, the Colleges were to play an increasingly important part in the students' educational environment outside the formal classroom. A number of very important functions such as personal counselling, the organization of social and sports activities, the administration of large numbers of scholarships and prizes and the management of student hostels all fell within their purview of responsibility. They were also responsible for nominating students to take part in exchange programmes with overseas universities. Through such programmes, the selected students were able to spend time in other universities of the world and benefit from the wider experience that came with such exposure. Some programmes also involved the exchange of academic staff, some of which were also handled through the Colleges as was the award of some staff travelling fellowships and conference grants. In the four years between 1978 and 1982, the Colleges were to play an important role in student-orientated teachings. Efforts were made to affiliate students and teaching members of the University to one of the Colleges and each College continued to publish its own regular newsletter and bulletin to publicize and record major College activities. After the reorganization and redistribution of responsibilities between University and Colleges, there was an attempt to delineate duties. It was found that a workable guiding principle is that while curriculum and administration are within the purview of the University, student life is the responsibility of the Colleges. And it was in the provision for a better, richer university life that the Colleges made their most valuable contribution. 29