HKUST 2008-2009 Annual Report
71
人才
People and Prizes
Appointments and Governance
Court and Council
The Court is the University’s highest advisory body while
the Council is the supreme governing body, as defined in
University Ordinance and relevant Statutes. The Court was
established in 1994, and the Council 1988.
In 2008, to keep enhancing the effectiveness of
governance, the Council initiated a review of its structure
and proposed amendments to the University Ordinance
and Statutes.
The amendments were subsequently passed by the
Legislative Council of the HKSAR. When the amended
Ordinance took effect, on 1 September 2009, the
overall size of the Council was reduced from 34 to 27
seats. Whilst 10 seats were removed to rationalize the
composition, three new seats: one for the new position
of Provost, one for a staff member, and one for a student
member, were added. To fill the newly created seats
for the staff and student representatives, the University
organized its first election of full-time staff and student
members to join the Council in November 2009.
During the year under review, the Council met in plenary
session three times to discuss policies and strategic
issues relating to the University’s operations and future
developments. Key initiatives under the HKUST Strategic
Plan, such as the development of the Institute for
Advanced Study and the University Master Layout Plan,
were reviewed.
During the same period, a new sub-committee under the
Council, namely the Campus Development Committee,
was set up to oversee the development of University
facilities, in particular the planning and construction of
new buildings.
The Court held its annual meeting in November, in
addition to joining the Council on two other occasions
to receive reports from the President. As part of the
succession plan, Dr John C C Chan has taken over from
Dr the Hon Sir Sze-Yuen Chung as Chairman of the Court.
Senate
The Senate met five times during the year under review
and, with input from its various committees, took decision
on a wide range of academic matters. In developing a
new undergraduate curriculum under the 4-year degree
system, the University has introduced a common core
program. A Senate Committee on Undergraduate Core
Education is in place to review and monitor the quality
of the common core program. The 3-3-4 reform also
presents an opportunity for the University to revamp
academic policies and procedures.
