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FC approves setting up of Continuing
Education Fund
The Legislative Council's Finance Committee today (April 26) approved an allocation of $5 billion to set up a Continuing Education Fund (CEF). The objective of the CEF is to provide subsidies to people to pursuing continuing education so as to prepare Hong Kong's workforce for the knowledge-based economy, a spokesman for Education and Manpower said. "As from June 1, any Hong Kong resident aged 18 to 60 without a university degree who enrolls in a 'reimbursable course' may apply to the Students Financial Assistance Agency to open a personal continuing education account and, subject to the availability of funds, an amount of $10,000 will be earmarked," he said. Upon successful completion of the course, the applicant will be reimbursed 80 per cent of the course fee or $10,000, whichever sum is less. The account will remain open for two years during which period the applicant may use any balance to attend any number of reimbursable courses. However, each applicant will be allowed to make a maximum of two claims (each claim can cover more than one course or module) during the two-year period. "We will make a separate announcement about the application details as well as the first list of reimbursable courses by the end of May," the spokesman said. "In the meantime, a telephone hotline 3142 2277 has been set up to answer
public enquiries and members of the public may also browse the website Courses eligible for reimbursement under the CEF will belong to the follow sectors: Industry specific sectors
Generic skills
Training providers interested in having their courses included on the 'reimbursable course' list would need to make an application for assessment to the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation (HKCAA). "The HKCAA will assist government in assessing the suitability of courses for registration as 'reimbursable courses'," the spokesman explained. "With input from industry focus groups, we have identified a list of competencies to be covered by 'reimbursable courses'," he said. "The HKCAA will assess each course to ensure that it is properly structured to deliver the required competencies," he added. The HKCAA will also ensure that relevant teaching and learning activities, assessment requirements and quality assurance procedures are in place to deliver the course in an appropriate manner. Areas that will be examined include the course content, the course duration and mode of delivery, the assessment component, the qualification of instructors or presenters, etc. The charge for the assessment will be borne by the training providers. Information on the assessment arrangement can be found at the website http://www.hkcaa.edu.hk/. "Interested training providers can now apply to the HKCAA for assessment of the courses," the spokesman said. "We will hold a briefing session for interested course providers regarding the assessment arrangements. The briefing will be held on May 3 (Friday) at LT1, Level 4, Academic Building, City University of Hong Kong, 83 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, starting at 10.30 am," he said. "To facilitate planning, interested course providers are requested to send an e-mail to embhome@emb.gcn.gov.hk to reserve a place," he added. In view of the distinctive nature of the category of 'problem solving, team building and change management', a special committee will be set up to assess proposals from course providers. The assessment criteria for courses in this category will be announced separately. End/ Friday, April 26, 2002 |