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The Government today (June 24) announced that support would be given to the Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd) so that it could develop into a multi-disciplinary institution and build up its research capacity to best enhance teacher education and promote excellence in the Hong Kong higher education sector.
The question of whether or not HKIEd should be granted university title would be considered at a later date.
Announcing the decision, the Secretary for Education Mr Michael Suen said an institution with complementary disciplines would present students with the best learning environment.
Mr Suen said he had full confidence that with the concerted efforts of its council, staff and students, HKIEd had the capacity to expand and develop in research and other disciplines.
"This development will bring much improvement to teacher education in Hong Kong and will be constructive to fulfilling HKIEd's aspiration to be granted university title."
Additional student numbers (120 first-year-first-degree and 30 research postgraduate places) above the level originally envisaged for the 2009-2012 triennium would be provided to the University Grants Committee (UGC) for allocation to HKIEd upon further discussion between them.
The additional student numbers will enable HKIEd to develop undergraduate programmes in three disciplines complementary to education and strengthen its research capability. HKIEd plans to launch new undergraduate programmes in Language and Literature, Culture and Creative Art, and Humanities and Social Sciences.
Mr Suen also thanked the UGC for the expert advice contained in the UGC's Report of the Review Group on Hong Kong Institute of Education's Development Blueprint.
"I would like to thank the UGC for producing a most insightful review report on the matter. The report has provided valuable advice to the Government," he said.
HKIEd submitted a document entitled "Development Blueprint: Becoming a University of Education" to the Education Bureau in June 2007. The bureau invited the UGC to examine the document and to let the Government have its expert views on the proposals. The UGC set up a Review Group to consider the matter and the Review Group Report was submitted to the Education Bureau in February this year.
Ends/Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Issued at HKT 18:01
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