Beyond the specific work of our own teacher education programmes, the Institute has also made a contribution to the formulation and implementation of educational policy in Hong Kong. Many of us have been privileged to serve on bodies such as the Education Commission, the Advisory Committee on Teacher Education and Qualifications, the UGC, the Board of Education, the Curriculum Development Council and its committees, as well as the subject committees of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority.

Focus on applied research
As a tertiary institution dedicated to teacher education, research and scholarship which directly supports schools and teachers in Hong Kong underpins the Institute's role.

A wide range of applied and action research projects are undertaken by staff of the Institute in collaboration with teaching practitioners. This ensures that the research results are directly relevant to the wider teaching community and to our own curricula. The growth in the quality and volume of research output reflects the growing academic strength and scholarship of our staff.

Institutional upgrading
A noteworthy milestone in the Institute's upgrading process was the successful completion of the UGC's Teaching and Learning Quality Process Review (TLQPR). This was undertaken by an international panel, chaired by Professor Rosie Young, in June 2002. The initial comments of the panel were very encouraging and attest to the growing maturity of the Institute since its establishment in 1994. The TLQPR exercise demonstrated one of the greatest strengths of the Institute, namely the collegiality and commitment of its staff to their teaching and to their students' learning.

The developments outlined above have served to reinforce our role in providing schools with teachers who are able to support change and encourage their pupils' learning. Consequently, the demand to join our programmes has grown markedly and the employability of our graduates remains high.

Acknowledgements
In making possible the achievements of the year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank very warmly our staff and students for their commitment and professionalism. I also would like to convey special words of appreciation to my predecessor, Professor Ruth Hayhoe, for her vision and leadership. Ruth retired in March 2002, after an eventful four and half years at the Institute and her invaluable contributions will long be remembered. My sincere appreciation also goes to the Chairman of Council, Mr Simon Ip, and to all the members of Council and its sub-committees for their steadfast support, advice and encouragement. I would also like to thank the University Grants Committee and Government for their strong support to the Institute as it develops towards a self-accrediting institution.