HONG KONG Polytechnic University is planning to switch to the United States credit-unit system in 1998, replacing the present 'rigid' syllabus-based system, according to the two top administrators of the institute.
Professor Leung Tin-pui, a vice-president of the PolyU, told Campus Post the change was part of the first strategic plan the institute mapped out for its development up to 2001.
More than a dozen critical issues are listed in the plan - which is not open for public review - and the development and adoption of the credit-unit system in 1998 is one of them.
Professor Joshua Wong Sook-leung, the vice-president overseeing quality assurance, said: 'Originally, this change was scheduled to be implemented in 1997. But some of the lecturers believe it will be too hasty, therefore we are having a one-month consultation period later this month to determine the most suitable time for the change.' Professor Leung said the change had 'nothing to do with politics'.
He said it was a 'massive change' as students would have to study in a completely different system and the administration and teaching staff would be faced with large-scale adjustments.
Under the current syllabus-based system, it is mandatory for students to study a set of modules in the syllabus each year, with several 'elective modules' incorporated into the second and third years.