|
By the end of June 2006, the Institute received close to $106 million from the University Grants Committee, Education and Manpower Bureau, Quality Education Fund, Internal Research Grants, Teaching Development Grants, Competitive Earmarked Research Grants and other Government related organisations for 115 research projects.
With a particular emphasis on the importance of the applied dimensions of research, HKIEd's research agenda revolves around five key areas - Learning and Assessment; Citizenship Education; Teachers and the Teaching Profession; Curriculum, Policy and Leadership; and Language Education and Literature. Meeting the goals of this research agenda calls for great commitment from the Institute staff beyond their regular teaching and pastoral care and community commitments. They have consistently demonstrated their enthusiasm and commitment to research and scholarship.
The Research Grants Council (RGC) visited the Institute on 15 June 2006. Its 35 Members met the senior management, academic staff and students and gained a comprehensive overview of the Institute's research activities. At the end of the visit, RGC Members left with a positive view of HKIEd's research achievements and capabilities.
In mid-August 2006, the Council sent a formal
letter to the Institute detailing its observations following
the visit. The letter was very positive. Our academic staff
were commended for their high morale and commitment to quality
research and scholarship despite their demanding teaching
schedules and service obligations. The Council also felt that
this same ethos and sense of mission permeated throughout
the entire Institute. The letter concluded by saying,
| |
"RGC Members were impressed
by [the Institute's] commitment to research and scholarship
which have a strong applied dimension to meet the needs
of local community." |
As a teacher education provider, the Institute is an active
advocate and pioneer of innovative teaching practices. We
support the Hong Kong school sector in developing new ideas
and approaches. This is evidenced in the following ways:
The Centre, established in May 2006, is the first of its kind among University Grants Committee funded institutions. Funded by private donations from five religious organisations, it offers courses on the beliefs of major religions represented in Hong Kong, together with a curriculum on and pedagogy for religious education across these religions. Apart from equipping future teachers with the necessary pedagogical knowledge for religious and spiritual education, the Centre also promotes inter-religion and inter-cultural understanding, respect, appreciation and harmony among all pupils in a pluralistic society. On 27 May 2006, the Institute organised a seminar on "Religious Education in Hong Kong Schools: A Sharing of Experience" At the seminar, 150 teaching professionals from schools sponsored by organisations of major religions in Hong Kong, gathered at the HKIEd to discuss the development of religious education in primary and secondary schools.
|
