After providing free educational television programmes in Hong Kong for 12 years, the OUHK has stepped up its efforts and increased its education broadcast to four hours a week starting from October.

With a mission to provide open and distance education, the OUHK has been purchasing airtime to broadcast television programmes for the benefit of the learning public since 1989. The programmes feature a wide range of knowledge topics that are integrated with the University's degree courses. They have been well received by not only students but also general viewers, especially secondary school and university students, and teachers and professionals.

Officiating at the contract-signing ceremony on 13 September to launch the new series called 'Open for Learning', President Prof. Tam Sheung-wai said, 'Television is a powerful and convenient medium and can play a greater role in education. However, the existing education broadcast funded by the Government serves only primary and secondary school students. The learning needs of the greater majority of our community have somehow been overlooked'.

Mr Stephen Chan, Controller, Programme Division and External Affairs Division at TVB, said, 'TVB is most delighted to join forces with the Open University to provide Hong Kong viewers with a learning platform. We have also pledged our support to the University's 'Employer Support Study Scheme' in the hope of seeing more of our staff and artistes take advantage of the University's flexible mode of study for self-enrichment.'

Starting from 7 October, more than 230 episodes of 'Open for Learning' will be broadcast from 9 am to 1 pm every Sunday on TVB Pearl. The programmes feature a wide spectrum of topics including arts, science, social sciences, business administration, education, information technology, child development and psychology as well as Chinese history and culture. They are either produced by the OUHK or purchased from the Open University of the UK or the China Central Radio and TV University.

Broadcast schedules are available at the OUHK website www.ouhk.edu.hk/openlearning and the TVB.COM website www.tvb.com, and in TVB Weekly. Further programme details can be obtained by calling the OUHK Information Centre at 2711 2100.