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In response to press enquiries about academic freedom and autonomy of higher education institutions today (April 13), the Education and Manpower Bureau (EMB) issued the following statement:
An EMB spokesman stressed that the Government attached great importance to the autonomy and academic freedom of higher education institutions.
“In this connection, the Government has set up the University Grants Committee (UGC) which comprises Members appointed by the Chief Executive in their personal capacities. Roughly half of them are accomplished academics and higher education administrators from outside Hong Kong, and the other half are local Members comprising eminent community leaders and academics of high standing. They offer impartial and expert advice to the Government on the funding and development of higher education in Hong Kong,” he said.
“Having regard to the overall student number targets and the Academic Development Proposals submitted by each institution, the UGC submits to the Government the grant recommendations for the eight UGC-funded institutions. All grant recommendations have to be approved by the Executive Council and the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council.”
“In respect of research grants, the Research Grants Council established under the UGC is responsible for assessing grants applications of the eight UGC-funded institutions. The membership of the RGC comprises local and overseas academics, and assessments of all grant applications are based solely on merits.”
“Each of the UGC-funded institutions is an autonomous body with its own Ordinance. The institutions have substantial freedom in setting curricula and academic standards, the selection of students, conduct of research, staff recruitment and their terms of employment, and the internal allocation of resources,” the spokesman stressed.
Ends/Friday, April 13, 2007
Issued at HKT 21:22
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