Open Learning Institute set for self-accreditation

The Open Learning Institute of Hong Kong is likely to be granted self-accrediting status in a 'month or two' and will eventually become an autonomous university, senior officials said.

Both Dr Ronnie Carr, Dean of School of Education, and Professor Wong Tat-meng, Dean of School of Science and Technology, were confident self-accrediting status would materialise soon.

'The Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation has written its recommendation to the Education and Manpower Branch and forwarded it to the Executive Council for final approval,' Professor Wong said. 'They mentioned it would take a month or two to be finalised.' Dr Carr said the council had already completed its latest round of inspections and recommended such status.

'Self-accreditation, of course, will be our first step towards university status,' he said.

To widen the scope of study, the institute will launch five programmes - four bachelor degrees and one master's degree - next term.

A Master of Education degree will expand its existing two Bachelor of Education courses in primary education and secondary education.