There have been calls for an overhaul of the University Grants Committee after the independence of the supposedly autonomous body was brought into question during the Hong Kong Institute of Education inquiry.
The inquiry heard allegations that the UGC was nothing more than a 'rubber stamp' and had co-operated with the Education and Manpower Bureau to achieve the government's objectives. It was alleged the government tried to disadvantage HKIEd by reducing its student numbers.
In its report, released on Wednesday, the commission concluded that decisions made by the UGC, which allocates student numbers, were not susceptible to further review or appeal. The only way to challenge them, other than a 'plea for mercy' or 'taking issues to the street', was to seek assistance from the Chief Executive in Council, the Legislative Council or the EMB.
The University Education Concern Group believes the inquiry demonstrated that the UGC was failing to fulfil its role as a buffer between the government and tertiary institutions.
'It now seems that the EMB has absolute power over the UGC,' said spokeswoman Dora Choi Po-king.
During the inquiry, HKIEd president Paul Morris testified that when the institute approached the UGC about student number allocations, its representatives 'shrugged their shoulders and said talk to the EMB'.