A New Era Begins 1975-78

The new AAPC also reports to the Council through the Vice- Chancellor. It can be seen f r om the above list that the academic staff form a larger proportion of the Committee than the administrative staff. Senate Re-organization The Senate remains substantially the same but added to it are 6 Fellows, 2 from each College. The Senate Academic Planning Committee remains as the executive Committee of the Senate. As Chairman o f the Senate, the Vice-Chancellor is requested to report to the Council on all related academic matters. Emergence of the Board of Studies The chairmen and administrative chairmen of the Boards o f Studies have also assumed much greater responsibilities. Before the new University Ordinance came i n to effect, the employment of lecturers and teachers at or below the rank of lecturer was wi t h in the jurisdiction of the Colleges. The Boards o f Studies might have a voice, but it was not a determining one. Now that the whole academic scene has changed, the former Department Heads serve as “coordinators” stationed at the Colleges. It is the Board o f Studies which makes policy decisions to plan the curriculum, to decide the scope and nature o f courses, required or elective, to plan new areas to be included and to determine what kind o f specialists they want to recruit to meet their overall needs. Submissions o f their plans to the University are made through the Dean of the faculty to which they belong. Upon approval, the University Secretariat advertises all the vacancies of various Boards of Studies in local and overseas newspapers, while Board Chairman undertake direct recruitment inquiries. A Selection Committee or Panel would study the applications and prepare a short list for the AAPC's consideration. Before final decision is made, the advice of one or more than one external assessors who are authorities in the subject field concerned wi ll be sought. The names of the assessors are kept strictly confidential and their recommendations are given great weight. Thus a most thorough and impartial system is vigorously enforced. The Deans The Deans assumed office on 1st August as members of the AAPC to represent their Faculties. To be elected, the Dean must be of the rank of senior lecturer or above. The term o f office is three years. He is expected to be a good administrator, diplomat and planner. He now takes over some of the former duties o f the College Academic Boards and Registry. He has to consult all the chairmen of various Boards of Studies and the University Registry over the number of students admitted each year and allocated to the Boards of his Faculty. As a member of the AAPC, he wi ll have an overall view o f the University as the basis o f his participation in decision making. He is an ex-officio member of the Academic Staff Review Committee. The University has many qualified academicians w i th proven administrative ability to fill the various posts w i t h administrative duties, and, in general, those chosen or elected are willing to accept the appointments. 25