Profile Indicators (PIs) have been developed to support the holistic assessment of the University and of the Faculties. They are used to inform discussion, to chart trends and to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses. Faculty PIs are received every year by the Budget and Resources Committee and are studied in conjunction with the Development Plans of the Faculties.

The following PIs may be used to illustrate and assess the University’s achievements in each of the strategic themes identified. We expect to see improvements in these PIs by the end of 2009-2014.

Enhancing the student learning experience

  • Admission profile – qualifications and numbers at different levels
  • Number of international / non-local students and exchange students
  • Student enrolment-to-professoriate staff ratio and professoriate staff mix
  • Hong Kong University Student Learning Experience Questionnaire (HKUSLEQ)
  • Number of student placements and internships
  • Number of student residential places
  • Number of scholarships
  • Number of students winning international competitions
  • Graduates profile - including academic standing and employability
  • Employers’ satisfaction level

Advancing research and innovation

  • Profile of refereed academic research outputs – types and numbers
  • Average number of citations per staff member
  • Funding for research
  • External competitive research grants received
  • External prestigious research awards received
  • Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) scores
  • Number of research postgraduate students
  • Completion profile of research postgraduate students

Promoting knowledge exchange and demonstrating leadership
in communities across the region

  • Number of professional and continuing education programmes
  • Number of students in professional and continuing education programmes
  • Types and number of contract research projects
  • Types and number of patents obtained
  • Number of economically active spin-off companies
  • Types and number of publications and postgraduate theses on open access
  • Types and number of performances, public lectures, community events, etc

Other useful PIs

  • Profile and number of academic staff
  • Profile and number of international academic staff
  • Expenditure profiles
  • Profiles and amount of external funds received

The University uses a broad range of PIs for holistic assessment, and to monitor performance and measure outcomes at the institutional level and at individual Faculty and unit levels. The above PIs are samples of the many existing PIs and are highlighted for their relevance to the three strategic themes and the enabling platform.