By its tenth anniversary in 1999, the University had come a long way in many aspects, most notably in providing learning opportunities on a massive scale to 100,000 people. Its student population had risen six-fold to 25,000, and graduates exceeded 15,000. There was a new record intake of 26,800 students in 2004.

By 1999, more than 350 courses for 78 degree programmes were available, two-thirds of which had been developed in-house, and many of them could be studied in either English or Chinese language. The Chinese-medium distance learning material gave the University a unique advantage, enabling it to bring much-needed education services to working adults in mainland China. Through partnerships and alliances with various academic and business organizations, thousands of working adults were engaged in OUHK studies in 22 cities and provinces throughout the country.

In the meantime, the operational accounts recorded very stable growth, with a surplus in five consecutive years from 1994, the year when self-financing began. As the annual revenue expanded from $200 to $540 million, a modest reserve was set aside for further investment in teaching and learning, campus facilities, course development and research.

The University was honoured with the Award of Excellence for Institutional Achievement in Distance Education from the Commonwealth of Learning, and the Prize of Excellence for Institutions from the International Council for Open and Distance Education. Other accolades included the Stockholm Challenge Award in recognition of the Electronic Library, and the best academic paper award presented to OUHK colleagues in the conference held by the Asian Association of Open Universities.

The University’s academic stature received another boost as the Research Grants Council representatives recommended the inclusion of the OUHK in the list of fundable institutions after an inspection visit. In the following two years, the University chaired the Asian Association of Open Universities, and became the Vice Chair of the International Council for Open and Distance Education.

While the OUHK commemorated its achievements and got ready for further advances in the field, there were profound and far-reaching changes in the education system which raised new challenges and opportunities for the University.

成績斐然 登上高峰

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