The major theme of this Strategic Plan is our determination to refocus our work to make the most effective possible contribution to Hong Kong and the region in which it is based, and on which the future depends. Because of this, a key issue is to strengthen our relationship with community stakeholders. To achieve this we intend to undertake four main tasks.
Value for money and performance
Universities are expensive to run and major users of community resources, both public and private. Ensuring that these resources are used wisely and productively is a major responsibility. The twin themes of accountability and value for money will continue to preoccupy us as we go forward. Having established a capacity for internal, value audit we are working to link these arrangements to strengthened oversight under the University Council. We will also continue to strengthen our systems for staff performance appraisal to ensure that all staff are able to make their maximum contribution.
New sources of income
The community has called on universities to increase the income they earn from private sources - fees, consulting income, commercialising research and so on. We intend to respond to this call, collaborating with industry and other partners to offer programmes and undertake R&D, and providing relevant high-value programmes for professionals. An important issue will therefore be successfully managing a "private" university within the framework of a publicly-funded university. This is an issue that comes high on our strategic agenda.
Governance and planning
An overarching concern as we face a period of rapid change in public policy and attempt to enhance our contribution to the community is the system in place to channel stakeholder views into the University, and to make the University as responsive as possible to emerging needs. A strategic initiative to develop our systems of governance and planning has therefore been launched.
A new phase in outreach to the community
CityU is no longer a new university, it is an established feature of the life of the city and the region. Our reputation for good research, for providing a useful, stimulating education, and for caring about scholarship and the life of the mind is being built up day-in, day-out through what we achieve student by student, colleague by colleague, and with our business and community partners.
Meanwhile we have a growing "family" of staff (and former staff), students, alumni, friends and donors. These personal links are the enduring source of a university's success and the means by which word of this success is carried to the community. This new reality provides an opportunity to make our approach to the work of outreach and institutional advancement increasingly personal and fruitful.
Goals to Strengthen our Partnership with the Community
- Increasing value-for-money accountability to stakeholders.
- Developing new sources of income and new partnerships without compromising publicly-funded operations.
- Enhancing systems for governance and planning.
- Maximising understanding of the University's contributions to research and education through our work with our alumni, associates, and friends.
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