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The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (March 22) the launch of a new round of application under the Land Grant Scheme and the Start-up Loan Scheme.
An EDB spokesman said, "The self-financing higher education sector plays an important role in the provision of education services. A more diversified higher education sector will benefit our students by providing them with more opportunities and a wider choice in pursuing higher education. The Government has been actively identifying suitable land sites to help self-financing institutions to construct purpose-built college premises."
Three land sites, easily accessible by public transportation, are available for application in this round of the exercise. They are:
Location Potential Developable
Gross Floor Area
Ho Man Tin
Chung Hau Street 21,500 square metres
Siu Lek Yuen
Kwong Sin Street 11,200 square metres
Wong Chuk Hang
Police School Road 23,000 square metres
The Government is inviting applications from non-profit-making education institutions for operating locally-accredited degree programmes on the sites. Institutions may also apply for interest-free start-up loans to support the construction of college premises. The deadline of application is August 31.
The spokesman said, "The sites will be granted to successful applicants at nominal premium through Private Treaty Grant."
"Allocation of these sites to self-financing degree-awarding institutions at nominal premium demonstrates the government's commitment to enhancing the development of education services, one of the six industries highlighted by the Chief Executive in his 2009 Policy Address," he added.
All applications will be considered on a competitive basis by an independent Selection Committee, comprising both official and non-official members, which advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary for Education on the allocation of the sites.
Ends/Monday, March 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 14:33
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