C Shaw
PLANNING COMMITTEE FOR THE THIRD UNIVERSITY
His Excellency Sir David Akers-clones, KBE, CMG, JP,
Acting Governor, Government House, Hong Kong.
Your Excellency,
Since the appointment of the Third University Planning
Committee on 1 September 1986, two plenary sessions of the Committee have been held and a number of issues relevant to the terms of reference have been considered in detail. This consideration has led to the formulation of certain recommendations which require early approval by the Government to enable planning to proceed further. The purpose of this letter is to
In its assessment of the sites the Planning Committee considered it important that the site selected should allow for
expansion, that the cost of development should be kept to a minimum, and that it should enable an early start to be made. Also taken into
consideration was the advice from the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee that the Third University should have easy access to the
metropolitan area to facilitate close cooperation with business, industry and the general community.
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The advantages and disadvantages of the following four sites considered by the Planning Committee are described below :
Bowring Camp at Tuen Mun
Diitricz
The Planning Committee received a submission from the Tuen Mun Board and District Management Committee setting out the reasons why, in the Soard's opinion, the Tuen Mun s; ,te should be selected.
Members considered the submission care* -Aully and were in no doubt that the Bowring Camp site was located at the heart of a developing conurbation, that the residents were enthusiastic about the establishment of a
urkversity, and that the integration of * &own and gown could be envisaged. that planned road and light railway transit (LPT) would considerablv improve accessibility. 4
Members had been informed that clearance of this site would take t&o years from tne time B decision on its selection for the Third University was announced. Allowing one year to eighteen months for site formation, and making no allowance for slippage, this meant that the site Arc%tect~ral Services indicates that while technicallv posslbie, bv
.
Mem'oers considered 21zt the Fanlinc site, beinc less
reS trictlve thsn any of t;he others, provided the arth,i',ect wi',? greater scope. The environment of the site was good and there was ready access
t0 5e Sheung Shui Xowloon-Canton Fz.ilway Szation and transport
in terr?iange. t- *II terms of access from the main centres of aooulation, the
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The majority of members were axracted to the Kohima Barracks site for a number of good reasons. The site, where site formation and servicing for the previously planned barracks had been completed, was available immediately thus making an earlier student intake possible.
It was also apparent that the COSiS of any additional site development would be considerably less Liar, starzinG afr esh or. a greenfield Slie.
Doubts were initially expressed about the site being too smail to support eventuall. y some 10,000 students but a site feasibility study obtained from the Oireftor of Architectural Services showed that it was well suited for the development of a r;niversity of the size proposed,
even if allowance was made for student hostel accommodation.
The reclamation of Junk Say and the development of its access to East Kowloon via the Junk Say Tunnel as well as the construction of the second cross harbour road and rail tunnel would greatly imorove ac-,essibility. Furthermore, tie ?cssible expansion of the Mass Transit . Railway to Junk Bay would enhance t'tle situation. The Kohima Barracks site was ve--y close to Kwun Tong industrla 1 township where links with higher tee.hnolog industry and commerce could be estabiished and its rural situa tion with a commanding view of Port Shelter provided an ideal environment.
Recommendation
Taking account of ali the numerous factors, including the likeii1hood t&hat its decFsion would advance rriterially tIhe date of the first student intake on campus, t!!e PLanrAng Commitiee '&es the view that the Kohima Barracks site at Tai PO TsaF in its entirety is L5e most suitable for the development of a Third University and recommends that it be so allocated as soon as possible.
In addition 9 to allow adequately for evansion, the Planning Committee strongly recommends that the Zrskine Sarrac.ks site, presently occut;itd by the British Armv and due ior release in 1988, and the eastern . new institution should be known in perpetuity as "The Third Universityl' and invited suggestions for a suitable name from the ouolic. Some ILO were received including, in recent weeks, suggestions that one way of commemorating t!!e late Sir Edward Youde's governorship would be to name the Third University after him.
While appreciating t!!e wave of popular emotion following Sir Edward Youde's death, and the ve-ry real wish to acknowledge his very special contr ibution and concern for education, t!!e Planning Committee
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took the view that an abstract name for a tertiary institution of
learniq is to be preferred. In reaching this position the Committee
noted that, as well as comments in favour of naming the University after Sir Edward, reservations had been expressed in several newspaper and magazine articles. It was felt &37at controversy over the name at the birth of the University should be avoided. It was considered much more a&ropriate that a Hall or Chair within the University or a university scholarship be named after Sir Edward. The setting up of the 'Sir Edward Youde Fund' provided an alternative and very positive way of
commemoratzng the late Governor.
The Planning Committee recommends t!3at the most appropriate name for the Third University is "The Hong Kong University of Science and Technolo~" in English, and " 4 'q rFL #+ j$_ &f+>W in Chinese.
w-7 L&r. Level of Snt.ry for First Degree Courses to the Third UniversLty
The Planning Commi" cbee has considered many important issues but there can be no doubt that the most difficault has been the controversial question of the level of ent-y for first degree courses at the Third University.
As you are well aware, a perpiexing dilemma in Hong Kong's present sixth form is that students completing five years of secondary education can, a' er I t taking the Certificate of Education Zxamination (HKCEE), either follow a two-year sixth form course in Anglo-Chinese Schools leading to tie Advanced
(A) level examin-; a&ion to compete for entrance to the first degree courses
(generally three yea--s) at the University of Hong Kong (HK ;), the two
PolytecLhnics and the P,aptFst Coilege, or else fOilOW a one-year sixth form course leading to the sigher (H) level examination and entry to the first degree courses !generally four years) at <ie Chinese University of Hong Kong
(C'JHK).
The Sducakion Commission in its Report No. 2 recognised that there are undesir able consequences arising from this situation. It has recommended an integrated sixth form curriculum, retaining the two-year A level course;
the abolition of fi: levels; and the introduc:i on of a new curriculum derived
=-orn A levels to be termed
*- Intermediate (1) ievels and designed to encourage tihe deveioprnent of balanceti, well-informed individuals and to better prepare students for pas;-seconda,ry and tertiary education. The proposed I level system would allow students to enter CUHK after Form 6 on t!!e basis of a p.~'blic examination wizhin an integrated sixth form curriculum and if CUHK agreed, credit unit exemptions COUid be granted to stttdents with appropriate A, or A and I, level qualifications.
The Zducatl on Commission did not address the question of the length of lOCal tertiarv courses, suggesting that # this was B matter for the
institutions and the University and Polytec-hnic Grants Committee (UPGC) in the z;- L-r st instance.
The recent decision by the Senate of the MU to add a foundation year to its present tihree- year degree course and admit students completing only one year of sixth form studies has added further complexity to the issue
beins cor.sidered by the ?fanning Committee. It has increased t!!e uncertainty
Of 0*0ta; _,.ing m* an early decision from a process that could involve the
camp ilation of a report by the HkZ' working party, a formal submission on its proposals by the HKU to the UPGC, a referral to <he Education Commission by the Governmen: and finally consideration of the Education Commission report by Government.
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start
In terms of meeting its planning deadlines, particularly as an early is envisaged,
decision and it
the Planning Committee, unfortunately, cannot wait for a detail.
rcer six years secondary
the substantial number of Hong Kong students in countAes such as USA & Canada following four-year first degree courses after six years secondary education;
the significant number of Hong Kong students in the United Kingdom following three-year first degree courses after
secondary educaeion;
seven yeax
the possible financial consequences or reduction in annual student intake figures of any move to four-year first degree courses, not decided meantime to plan
has for entry at A level to three-year *<- &&-St
courses. Should the Governmen’
degree
L decide to approve and fund the ?XU proposal for four-year first deFee cowxes after six years of secondary education, the Third-University would similarly c',iange in
entry levels.
the interests of uniformity of In so doing, it also rrecognises that certain professional
disciplines, despite 'A' level entry, may reuuire longe- firs' . L b degree courses.
Planning Committee for the Third University
C.C. Chief Secretary
Chairman, University and ?olytec.hnic Grants Committee b.c.c. Secretary for Education and Manpower
(Attn. : Mr. ILK. Fung)
PLANNING CDMMITTEE FOR TW THIRD UNtVERSI7T
Central Government Offices, Main Wing, Lower Albert Road,
Hong Kong.
Provision of Student Hostel Accommodation on the Kohima Sarracks site at Tai PO Tsai, Sai Kunq District
My letter of 8 January 1987 to the Acting Governor, among other things, conveyed a recommendation that the most suitable site for the building of the Third University was that at Kohima Sarracks, Tai PO Tsai. That letter was copied to you.
The Third University ?lanning Committee has also considered very carefully the associated issue of student hostel accommodation.
Members are aware that the Government, while sympathetic to the concept of str;ldent residence, nevertheless feels that its principal objective in higher education is to ensure the provision of sufficient academic
facilities to enable the achievement of student target numbers and that
student hostels are provided by Government to the extent that their
absence frustrates this objective. The result of t!!is policy is that, in Government's consideration of an institution's capital programme,
priority is given to the construction of academic buildings.
It is apprecla ted tihat Government ;nust be careful not to add unnecessarily to Zhe unit costs of higher education at a time when expenditure on hisher education is rising sharply but the Planning Committee takes the view that student hostels, providing a period of residence at some time during an undergraduate course, not only
C3n tribute to the qualit y of university life of a student but are a desirable prerequisite for the attainment of education in the broad
sense. This is likely to be particularly important in a university whose graduates, as scientists, technologists and managers, will in the future be able to build on t&heir university contacts and friendships in their
careers in industry, commerce and government. The provision of good
student amenities can ameliorate the situation to a certain extent but it must be recognised that, in a large proportion of cases, students' homes
are inadequate for study purposes.
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To summarise, therefore, the Planning Committee is firmly and unanimously of the view that it is essential that student hostel
accommodation should be provided on the site of the Third University. In
*is respect, the Planning Committee noted that the present provision of student hostel accommodation at the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong is 25% and about 45% respectively. I should be grateful if you would indicate, as quickly as possible to allow for incorporation in the Planning Committee's plans, Government's
approval for the provision accommodation at the Third copying this letter to the Chairman of the University information.
by public funds of student hostel
University of the order of 30% to LO%. I am Secretary for Education and Manpower and and Polytechnic Grants Committee for
Yours
( S.Y. Chmg ) Chairman,
Planning Committee for the Third University
C.C. Secretary for Education and Manpower
Chairman, University & Polytechnic Grants Committee
&e ix G
THE CHANCELLOR ANDTHE COURT
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Appointment of Vice-Chancellor, Pro-Vice-Chancellors and other staff . . .
Power of Council to delegate to Vice-Chancellor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
A294 Ord. No. 47187
Section
THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
PART VII
FINANCIAL STAIWMENTS AND REPORTS
18.
19.
20.
Accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Auditors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Statements and reports to be submitted to Chancellor . . .
PART VIII
GENERAL
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Commit tees generally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seal of the University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power of Council to make statutes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Unauthorized use of title of the University . . . . . . . . .
Consequential amendments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Page
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THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Ord. No. 47/87 A295
HONG KONG
No. 47 OF 1987
I assent.
David WILSON,
Governor.
2 July I987
An Ordinance to provide for the establishment of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and for connected matters.
1 1
Enacted by the Governor of Hong Kong, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof.
PART I
PRELIMINARY
1. (1) This Ordinance may be cited as The Hong Kong University of Short title and
Science and Technology Ordinance 1987. commencement.
(2) This Ordinance shall come into operation on a day to be appointed by the Governor by notice in the Gazette.
2. In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires- Interpretation.
hancellor” means the Chancellor of the University and also any person acting as Chancellor of the University by virtue of section 6(2);
ourt”, ouncil”, enate” and onvocation” respectively mean the Court, Council, Senate and Convocation of the University;
inancial year” means the period fixed by the University under section 18(3);
tatutes” means the statutes of the University;
niversity” means The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology established by section 3;
ice-Chancellor” and ro-Vice-Chancellors” respectively mean the Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellors of the University.
A296 Ord. No. 471’87
0 i in science, technology, engineering, management and business studies; and
erect, provide, equip, maintain, alter, remove, demolish, replace, enlarge, improve, keep in repair and regulate its buildings, pre- mises, furniture, equipment and other property;
employ staff, advisers and consultants, whether on a full or part time basis;
provide appropriate amenities (including facilities for social activities and physical recreation and residential accommodation) for its students and employees;
invest its funds in such manner and to such extent as it thinks appropriate or expedient;
borrow money in such manner and on such security or terms as it thinks appropriate or expedient;
apply for and receive any grant in aid on such terms as it thinks appropriate or expedient;
fix and collect fees and charges for courses of study, facilities and other services provided by it and specify conditions for the use of such facilities and services;
generally or in any particular case or class of case, reduce, waive or refund such fees and charges;
receive and solicit gifts, whether on tr:lst or otherwise, and act as trustee of moneys or other property vested in it on trust;
confer degrees and other academic awards including honorary degrees and honorary awards;
THE HONG KONG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Ord. No. 47/&7
(m) provide, for profit or otherwise, advisory, consultancy, research and other related services; programme, poster, advertisement or video and audio material and software appropriate or expedient; and
for the printing, reproduc-
THE CHANCELLOR AND THE COURT
6. (1) There shall be a Chancellor of the University who shall be the
receive an annual report from the Vice-Chancellor;
consider any reports made to it by the Council;