Vice-Chancellor's Report 1987-90

Vice-Chancellor's Report and a technology transfer centre, and will serve as a significant interface between China and the outside world. On the other hand, the brain-drain phenomenon has caused the territory to lose a considerable number of professional and management personnel. A ll these factors constitute a new economic and social environment in which universities in Hong Kong are required to operate. Fortunately, the Hong Kong Government has declared its intentions to signficantly expand the tertiary education sector and to increase funding for academic research. This will certainly enhance our chance of developing into a world-class institution. It is apparent that the University must respond to the new environment by initiating changes to revitalize its operation and by providing incentives for both staff and students to achieve excellence. When I assumed office as Vice-Chancellor three years ago, the University had already achieved much through the efforts of staff and students under the devoted and masterly guidance of my predecessors, Prof. L i Choh-Ming and Prof. Ma Lin, The preparation for change at this University had already started before I took office. The degree examination system was abolished in 1986 and a pure credit unit system was instituted immediately afterwards. They were intended to make our curriculum more responsive to change, a necessity when knowledge is expanding very rapidly. After nearly three years of broad and in-depth interaction with staff and students at many levels and on numerous formal and informal occasions, I have come to the conclusion that the stage is now set for implementing further changes. It is my duty now to give a report of some major tasks that have been completed during the last three years. a d o p t i o n o f a S u b s t a n t i a l l y i m p r o v e d C r e d i t U n i t S y s t e m w i t h N o Y e a r l y P r o m o t i o n d e m a r c a t i o n Prior to 1986, the University's curriculum structure was based on a combination of the credit unit system and the degree examination system. Upon the recommendation of a special panel on curriculum review chaired by Prof. Ambrose Y_ C. King, a new curriculum structure for the University's undergraduate studies, based entirely on the credit unit system, was adopted by the Senate in 1986, and became effective in the 1986-87 academic year. After three years of implementation, an ad hoc Working Group on Curriculum Review consisting of Prof. Ambrose Y. C. King, Dr. P.W. Liu and Miss Linda Hu was appointed in February 1989 to review the system. The Working Group came up with a recommendation to further improve the system so as to increase its flexibility. A substantially improved credit unit system with no yearly promotion demarcation was finally adopted by the Senate in February 1990 and will take effect from 1991-92. The new system will offer programmes of studies with flexible coverage of a wide range of subjects in suitable breadth and depth compatible with the rapid growth of knowledge and general education requirements. The system will also enable the University to establish joint courses with selected universities 5

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