[Archive] Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation

Following is a question by the Hon Eric Li and a written reply by the Secretary for Education and Manpower, Professor Arthur K C Li, in the Legislative Council today (March 19):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council whether it knows:

(a) the criteria adopted by the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation for determining the accreditation charges for overseas academic qualifications;

(b) the cost components of such accreditation; and

(c) how the accreditation charges in Hong Kong compare to those in neighbouring regions?

Reply:

Madam President,

(a) As a non-profit making statutory body operating on a self-financing basis, the Hong Kong Council for Academic Accreditation (HKCAA) adopts a full-cost recovery principle for its services, including accreditation of overseas academic qualifications.

(b) The cost components of accreditation include staff cost, expenses on transport, postage and office overheads. Where overseas experts are engaged, costs such as honoraria, air passages and hotel accommodation may also be included.

(c) The fee for accrediting an overseas degree course charged by HKCAA is HK$394,200. According to information gathered by HKCAA, the accrediting bodies in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore do not accredit overseas academic qualifications. In Thailand, the accreditation of overseas qualifications is free of charge, whereas the fee for accrediting an overseas degree in Malaysia is about HK$19,000. However, it must be pointed out that the accrediting bodies in these two countries are either fully or heavily funded by their respective governments. Hence, it will not be appropriate to compare their fees with that of HKCAA.

End/Wednesday, March 19, 2003

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