Savannah College of Art and Design (Hong Kong) to discontinue operation
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A spokesman for the Government said, "We note the latest development plan of the College and respect its decision. We are grateful for the College's establishment of its Hong Kong campus, which has provided quality and world-class art and design post-secondary programmes for students since 2010, enabling the diversification of the tertiary education sector in Hong Kong and nurturing more local art and creative talents."
The spokesman added, "We understand that the SCAD has notified all the affected students and their parents of the decision, and that the College has formulated teach-out plans for their students. The College states that it is committed to ensuring all students complete their degree programmes, including options for students to transfer to two other campuses or pursue e-learning."
Self-financing post-secondary institutions enjoy a high degree of autonomy in administration. Their decisions on the teaching and operation arrangements are made after taking into consideration factors including the vision and mission of the school-sponsoring bodies and institutions, the demand for the relevant programmes, as well as the long-term development of the institutions. The arrangements should also be in the best interest of students.
The Government expects the SCAD to duly consider the interest of its students and staff members before making its teaching and operation arrangements. The Government will continue to maintain communication with the College on related matters, and follow up on other arrangements for students including teaching and learning.
Besides, the Government would take over the historic building after the expiry of the tenancy (i.e., on August 1, 2020) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the tenancy agreement to ensure that the historic building is properly returned. The building will be put into Batch VI of the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (Revitalisation Scheme) to invite revitalisation proposals from non-profit-making organisations, details of which will be announced in due course.
The Former North Kowloon Magistracy is one of the projects under Batch I of the Revitalisation Scheme and has been revitalised into SCAD (Hong Kong) by the SCAD Foundation (Hong Kong) Limited which commenced operation in September 2010 for the provision of non-local higher education courses in art and design. Under the Revitalisation Scheme, the Grade 2 historic building was rehabilitated and properly preserved. This revitalisation project also received an Honourable Mention in the 2011 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Ends/Friday, March 13, 2020
Issued at HKT 20:02
Issued at HKT 20:02
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