The Chief Executive in Council today approved the granting of a university title to the Hong Kong Institute of Education, which will be retitled the Education University of Hong Kong.
The institute has also been awarded self-accrediting status in three programme areas covered by its existing Programme Area Accreditation status, including Chinese Studies, English Studies and Environmental Studies.
It will enjoy full self-accrediting status if it can in future obtain Programme Area Accreditation status in the remaining areas in which it currently operates bachelor's degree programmes.
After becoming a university, the institute will continue to be subject to periodic external quality audits by the Quality Assurance Council, as is the case for the other seven University Grants Committee-funded universities.
Secretary for Education Eddie Ng said today that the title recognises the institute's efforts and contributions over the years, and would boost public confidence in the institute and its graduates.
The Hong Kong Institute of Education (Amendment) will be gazetted on February 19 and introduced into the Legislative Council on March 2.
