A Maturing Institution

The Open University of Hong Kong is the only tertiary institution in the territory providing higher education for adults principally by distance learning methods.

Since the Institute's establishment in 1989 by the Hong Kong Government, more than 70,000 adult learners have taken its degree and sub-degree programmes and short courses. The number of students has increased steadily over the years, from 4,000 during the first enrolment to around 20,000 since 1995.

Towards university status

The principal challenge to the Institute during the year was the achievement of self-accrediting status and thereafter university status. In October 1996, the Hong Kong Government granted the Institute self-accrediting status as recommended by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation.

To prepare for the change to university status, the Institute set up a working group to monitor the various legislative amendments, changes in relevant rules and regulations, image building and other physical changes.

A task force on university image building was formed with renowned public relations consultant and Council member Dr Lo Chi-kin as convenor. Open consultation sessions

4,000 signatures were received from students urging the Government to speed up the OLI's upgrade to university status.

were held to explain the Institute's move to university status to students and graduates. A revised staff structure with some changes to titles and conditions of service was drawn up with reference to those of other local universities for staff consultation. Students also mounted a signature campaign to urge the government to speed up the process. After careful consideration and input from more than 2,000 tutors, staff, students and graduates, the Council adopted 'The Open University of Hong Kong' as the new name.

Following the Executive Council's endorsement in principle of the proposed change in February 1997, the bill establishing the Open University of Hong Kong was tabled for the first reading in the Legislative Council on 30 April 1997 and finally passed on 21 May 1997.

Increased recognition by professional bodies

As the Institute moves towards university status, its degrees are being recognized by more professional bodies. During the year, the Institute gained recognition and new exemptions from three professional bodies - the Association of International Accountants, the Certified Management Accountants Society of British Columbia in Canada and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (Hong Kong Section). The Institute's students are also entitled to exemptions from the joint examination organized by the Hong Kong Society of Accountants and the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants.

Reaching out to the community

To convey the importance of its move towards university status and enhance its profile, the Institute organized a number of social and academic activities and strengthened its links with more organizations in the local and international community.

An Open Day which lasted for two full days over the weekend was held in November for the public to familiarize themselves with the Institute's new campus in Ho Man Tin.

Former Chancellor Mr Christopher Patten officiated at the new campus grand opening ceremony, which was followed by two open days.

A number of exhibitions - the World of Learning Television Broadcast Exhibition, the Education and Careers Expo and other roving exhibitions for student recruitment in various urban locations - also gave people an opportunity to learn more about the Institute. Twenty-eight companies and individuals became the Institute's new Partners-in- Learning, donating gifts or money to various funds for campus facilities, student assistance, research and

scholarship. Sixteen new companies joined the Employer Support Scholarship Scheme to provide financial support for their staff's education at the Institute.

The public responded to the Institute's open days enthusiastically.

The Public Affairs Unit conducted regular and ad hoc surveys to measure the community's perception of the Institute and identify the territory's educational needs. Major areas covered during the year included students' lifestyle, employers' support for study at the Institute, public awareness, and demand for various study programmes in business, economics, training and communications technology.

OUHK staff served as ambassadors at academic conferences and community activities. Many were appointed members of government advisory boards, committees and voluntary organizations. Ties with overseas institutions were cemented through attendance at the following international conferences: International University Consortium Annual Conference in Washington D.C., British Council/IDP Education Australia Conference in Singapore, the New Campus Grand Opening Symposium 'Vision 21 - Paradigm Shifts in Tertiary Education in the 21 st Century', and the 'Greater China: Problems, Prospects and Policies' Seminar. The Grand Opening Symposium and 'Greater China' seminar were organized by the Institute, each attracting more than 150 local and overseas academics.

The international Symposium 'Vision 21 - Paradigm Shifts in Tertiary Education in the 21st Century' was attended by many overseas and local academics.

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