Vice-Chancellor's Report 1990-93

engineering programme, the Faculty of Social Science has now become the biggest faculty in terms of student number. It is closely followed by the Faculty o f Business Administration. Undergraduate admission figures also increased from 2,252 in 1990-91 to 2,495 in 1992-93. The ratio of male to female new students was very close to 1:1 in all three years, although more female students could be found in the Faculties of Arts and Social Science, while male students dominated the Faculties of Science and Engineering, And with greater government financial support for postgraduate studies and research, the Graduate School has continued to expand, registering a significant growth of over 30 per cent in enrolment and over 50 per cent in admission from the level of 1989-90. Doctoral programmes have experienced the sharpest rise in both postgraduate admission and enrolment. Student Activities and Services The University is fully committed to the provision of an all-round education to its students. General education, language training, and student-orientated teaching are all integral parts of the curriculum. Activities and services administered through the Office of Student Affairs and the College Dean of Students Offices also form an important adjunct to formal, curricular education and have been of vital importance in helping students to develop their potentials, and to strengthen their abilities and skills vis-a-vis the demands and challenges of modem life. During the period under review, the University has seen its scholarship and financial aid schemes considerably diversified. Financial assistance has been given out not only for the purpose of providing relief to students in need, but also in the form of incentive and encouragement to students with outstanding academic performance and promise for development. More private donations have also been raised to provide grants and bursaries for travel, academic exchange programmes, and extracurricular activities. The total amount of scholarship and financial assistance given out each year increased from $8.35 million in 1990-91 to $10.61 million in 1992-93, showing an average annual increase of 13 per cent. In the area of student activities, more students have been sent out, both in teams and as individuals, to international conferences and tournaments, and more programmes to enhance students' exposure have been devised. During the last three years, over 600 students participated in University-arranged exchange programmes, study tours, training activities, conferences and contests held overseas. The students themselves have continued to organize diverse extracurricular activities through the University Student Union, the four college student unions, and over 60 faculty and departmental societies. Through such activities they acquire organization and leadership skills and learn to be responsible citizens of the community. Numerous other academic associations and interest groups on the campus also organize a wide range of cultural and recreational activities to stimulate their intellectual growth and enrich campus life. Efforts have also been made by the University to renew and upgrade amenities in response to students' growing aspirations for an improved 21