AThe OUHK recently won its second international award for its contributions to the fields of open and distance adult education. The award was presented in Vienna, Austria.

At a world conference in June, in the presence of more than 1,200 delegates from all over the world, the International Council for Open and Distance Education (ICDE) conferred the first ever 'Prize of Excellence for Institutions' on the OUHK in recognition of its significant contribution to the fields of open, distance, virtual and flexible learning. The OUHK was particularly praised for its innovation and leadership in the field across cultural and linguistic barriers, and in the international community of open and distance learning during the last five years. 'This award underscores the efforts and progress made by the OUHK in fulfilling its objectives of being a regional Centre of Excellence,' said OUHK President Prof. Tam Sheung-wai.

In October 1997, the University received a $50 million government grant to develop the OUHK into a Centre of Excellence in Distance and Adult Learning. Part of the grant has been used to create an online delivery system called the Online Learning Environment. Currently, 24 courses are being conducted with different levels of online support. Other projects include the upgrading of the Electronic Library, the production of CD-ROMs and videos, the development of language enhancement courses, and a 24-hour automatic Computer-assisted Voice Mail Oral Practice System.

A full selection of Chinese business programmes have been introduced, and more and more adults in mainland China are studying OUHK courses. Currently, the University holds the Presidency of the Asian Association of Open Universities and operates its Secretariat. Prof. Tam has served as the ICDE Vice-President for the Chinese Cultural and Linguistic Region since 1997. The University will also host the 1999 ICDE Standing Conference of Presidents from 10 to 12 October in Hong Kong.

In research, the University has undertaken several research projects on adult education, including a comparative study of the administrative styles, educational processes and outcomes of selected Asian open universities, and factors that enhance achievement in open learning.