Last year, more than 70 per cent of the college's 1,600 associate degree graduates entered degree courses in Hong Kong or abroad.

Their qualification allows them to skip the first year of a full degree course.

Dr Leung noted that the government had increased the number of second-year places in degree courses for such students 'from about 800 to 950, and then to 1,200 step by step over a few years'.

'I think it should do more and increase the number to a level beyond that,' he said.

Secretary for Education Michael Suen Ming-yeung will today announce the findings of a panel that has been reviewing the role of associate degree programmes.

It is expected to propose measures costing hundreds of millions of dollars to address issues that have dogged such programmes since they were introduced in 2000.

Dr Leung hopes the measures will include making associate degree students eligible for government study grants and loans.

'Many of our students are working part-time to back the bills for their studies. If more funds can be set aside to support them, they can be more focused on their studies,' he said.

The government has given providers of associate degree courses 10-year loans. Dr Leung hopes the tenure of the loans can be doubled, which would free up more money to improve teaching and curriculums.

Dr Leung was speaking at a press conference to announce an expansion of the college's associate degree programmes and a 3 per cent increase in fees, to HK$45,000, from the next academic year.

Four new associate degree programmes in design and another in business will be launched when a new campus in Yau Ma Tei opens.

Higher diplomas in event management, financial and investment planning and translation and interpreting will also be offered.