Bulletin Number Two 1985

their interest in the subject. Roughly 74% of them believed that their chosen fields of study would lead to promising career prospects. Some 15% of the students reported that family expectations had played a part in their choice of subjects. Nearly all the students expected a university education to provide them with specialized training in their subjects of interest and assistance in perfecting their characters. Some 79% of them think that an all-round education is important. Most of the students expressed an interest in a large variety of extracurricular activities at the University. According to the survey, the five most preferred areas of employment are: Teaching (48.1%), Administration/ Management (33.6%), Research (32.4%), Social Services (22.3%), and Computer and Data Processing (13.2%). As regards the employment sectors the freshmen preferred to join upon graduation, Business would be their top priority among their first choices (26.2%). This was followed by the C M Service (24.6%) and the Education sector (22.6%) respectively. Students surveyed claimed that they were not competent in adaptability, analytical ability, self- confidence and Chinese communication skill. On the other hand, they indicated deficiency in English communication skill, leadership abilities and social skills. Career Destinations of 1984 Graduates The 1984 annual employment survey, conducted by the Appointments Service, covered all first and higher degree graduates and diplomates. Out of a total of 1,033 first degree graduates, 903 returned completed and valid questionnaires, giving a response rate of 87.4%. The response rate of higher degree graduates and diplomates was 86.6%. By the time the graduates of 1984 lanunched themselves into employment, the Sino-British negotiations on the future of Hong Kong were drawing to a close and there were clear indications that a settlement congenial to the territory's continued development would be concluded. The speculations and anxiety that had prevailed for some time and which had indirectly affected the supply of jobs in the local labour market were to a very large extent allayed, and there was a general recovery of confidence in the future, especially in the business sector. The pattern of career destinations of 1984 graduates was highlighted by a continued increase in the number of graduates entering the business sector. This increase was particularly noticeable among graduates in the non-business disciplines. A more diversified choice of career fields was also in evidence, suggesting a greater awareness among the graduates of the range and variety of employment opportunities that were open to them. The open-door economic policy adopted by the Chinese government in the last couple of years has given rise to a spectacular increase in China's business activities with Hong Kong. The growth in both volume and variety of China-related business has created a substantial demand for manpower in the labour market, and the graduates of this University were among the first to recognize this as an area where they might profitably develop their careers. This interest in China trade and its ancillary activities was prominent among the graduates of 1984 ， and a considerable number of them took up trainee positions with PRC-funded organizations. Others availed themselves of the openings offered by local or foreign firms trading with China. It is expected that the demand for Hong Kong graduates will persist as long as China continues to pursue her present policy of modernization and economic development. On the whole, the career destinations of the 1984 graduates presented a picture that was satisfactorily diversified. First Degree Graduates By early December 1984 ， that is, six months after graduation, 725 (80.3%) respondents were known to be engaged in full-time employment. The rest consisted of 155 (17.2%) who continued with their studies, 1 (0.1%) who emigrated abroad, 2 (0.2%) who were travelling, and 2 (0.2%) who were ill and therefore not seeking employment. Eighteen (2%) were still seeking suitable employment at the time 20 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS