***********************************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the University Grants Committee:
The University Grants Committee (UGC) welcomes the Government's positive response to its "Aspirations for the Higher Education System in Hong Kong" Report (HER Report) announced today (November 3).
The Chairman of the UGC, Mr Edward Cheng, said, "The Committee and I are pleased to note the Government's endorsement of the overall strategies and directions recommended in the HER Report. We welcome in particular the Government's initiatives to provide diversified and flexible pathways for students to facilitate their progression within the post-secondary education system. To support the Government's work, the UGC will, among others, embark on a further study on the establishment of a vertical Credit Accumulation and Transfer System (CATS).
"We are also pleased to note the Government's direction to ensure coherence and consistency in quality assurance in the post-secondary education sector.
"We are gratified to note the Government's staunch support for the internationalisation initiative, and believe that internationalisation of the post-secondary education sector, UGC-funded institutions in particular, is fundamental to Hong Kong's future success. The UGC will work closely with the Government and institutions in pursuing further and deeper internationalisation."
Mr Cheng said that the follow-up of the report will be one of the major endeavours of the UGC in the coming years and a HER Follow-up Group is being established under the Committee with the dedicated responsibility of monitoring the implementation progress. He said, "The world is moving fast and Hong Kong cannot afford to lag behind. The UGC will work closely with the Government, the UGC-funded institutions and other stakeholders to pursue the various initiatives that will contribute to the development of a healthy, vibrant and internationally competitive post-secondary education sector in Hong Kong."
Background
The Government announced today its response to the HER Report submitted by the UGC to the Education Bureau, which was published simultaneously, in December 2010.
Ends/Thursday, November 3, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:18
NNNN
