Annual Report 1995-96

Emphasis onLanguage Proficiency The year 1995—96 also saw c o n t i n u ed efforts t o w a r ds i m p r o v i ng the l anguage proficiency of students. The University's overall language enhancement p r o g r amme was reviewed, and HK $4 m i l l i on was allocated to th e colleges to suppor t n ew experiments to i mp r o ve the students' standar d of English and Chinese. W i t h the assistance of the English Language Teachin g Un i t, three facultie s — business adm i n i s t r a t i on , engineering, a n d social science — have d r a wn u p pilo t language enhancement programmes w h i ch cater to the specific needs of their undergraduate students. HK$3.6 m i l l i on has been allocated fo r the i n t r o d u c t i on of these programmes i n 1996-97. Language enhancement p r o g r ammes f or other faculties are i n the pipeline. The Un i v e r s i t y is also e x p l o r i n g wa y s to ma x i m i z e use of the Independent Lea r n i ng Centre facilities w i t h the a im of ma k i n g self-access language learning an i mpo r t an t alternative to f o rma l classroom teaching. Thanks To All I am h a p p y to witness the tremendous i mp r o v eme n t s that have taken place i n this university. It has gained prestige both i n H o n g K o ng and outside of it. A solid f ounda t i on has been l a id for the Un i v e r s i ty to continue e v o l v i ng into a comprehensive and mo d e rn academic i n s t i t u t i on that w i l l serve H o n g Kong, China, and the global c ommu n i t y. O n the eve of m y retirement I take this o p p o r t u n i ty to p a y personal tribute to the ma n y people, i n pa r t i c u l ar m y colleagues at the Un i v e r s i t y, w h o have g i v en me thei r support, encouragement and guidance d u r i ng m y nine years as vice-chancellor. It is their h a rd w o r k, cooperation, a nd dedication to the p u r s u it of academic excellence that have made our achievements possible and that h o ld the key to the University's future success. I am de l i gh t ed that Prof . A r t h u r L i has been chosen to lead the Un i v e r s i ty into the 21st century. I have every confidence that, w i t h Prof. L i as the n e w vice-chancellor, the Un i v e r s i ty w i l l be we l l - e n d owed to explor e n e w frontiers a nd w i l l p l ay a n even mo re significant role i n the development of higher education d u r i ng this i mpo r t ant transitional period i n the history o f H o n g Kong. Charles K. Kao Vice-Chancellor 31st July 1996 Vice-Chancellor's Review 校長報告 5