Bulletin Spring‧Summer 1995

in nature, it involves several territories in the Asia- Pacific region, such as Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Singapore. It has established seven sub-projects, which examine various curriculum issues from three major perspectives: the substantive, the political- social, and the technical-professional. In addition to these major programmes, the institute has so far supported seven research projects in their application for funds from various sources, as well as in the provison of clerical assistance and/ or research facilities for their implementation and administration. 2. The Launching of Development Training Programmes In an effort to raise the academic and conceptual standards and abilities of in-service teachers and school administrators, the government's Education Department has commissioned the institute to organize a number of short-term training programmes for the professionals in schools. Some of these courses are prerequisites for further promotion of senior teachers by the Education Department. Currently, the institute has five training programmes underway, and total enrolment in 1993- 94 alone was 543. The institute also offers two certificate courses — in school counselling and guidances, and in school discipline — in collaboration with the University's School of Continuing Studies. 3. Inviting Prominent Scholars to Visit the Institute Over the past year and a half the institute has invited 15 scholars of repute to speak in seminars and public lectures. These included Prof. David Reynolds, currently co-editor of, among other journals and books, School Effectiveness and School Improvement; Prof. David Charles Berliner, professor in curriculum and instruction and in educational psychology, Arizona State University (USA); and Prof. Leong Che Kan of the College of Education at the University of Saskatchewan. 4. The Publication of Educational Journals The institute has taken over the editorial and publication work oftwo journals, Education Journal and Journal of Primary Education, from the Faculty ofEducation. The Education Journal, which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, is published biannually, and has been acclaimed as Hong Kong's first educational journal. It aims at promoting the exchange of ideas and rational discourse between practising educators and educational researchers in Hong Kong and abroad. The Journal of Primary Education, ofwhich eight issues have been published so far, aims at the study, promotion and improvement of primary education in Hong Kong and the Asian- Pacific region. It compiles manuscripts pertaining to theory development, exploration of policy issues, and exchanges of practical experiences in the field of primary education. Other than these two publications which are released on a regular basis, the institute is in the process of publishing a number of research monographs and conference proceedings. Looking Ahead In time to come, the institute will relocate to more spacious premises within the Ho Tim Building. This will not only enable all supporting staff members to work in close proximity but also facilitate better provision of services and coordination between researchers and lecturing staff members. By consolidating on-going research programmes and updating research work, it will continue to address current and emerging educational issues and to be an important contributor to educational research locally and worldwide. The Hong Kong Institute of Educational Research of CUHK 33