The University Grants Committee (UGC) has invited university students who are set to graduate in 2003-04 to register for the Common English Proficiency Assessment Scheme from September 22 to October 18.

A series of testing sessions will be held for final-year students of UGC-funded undergraduate degree programmes from November this year to May next year. 

Like last year, these students are eligible for a one-time reimbursement of the test fee, if they agree to have a statement printed on their transcript indicating that they have participated in the scheme.

For more details, visit the scheme website (http://ugccepa.com). Applications should be submitted through students' respective institutions.

The scheme aims to promote the importance of English proficiency. It also provides the UGC as well as Hong Kong's educational institutions with useful data to help formulate language-enhancement policies and programmes.

Despite its voluntary nature, over 7,300 final-year students participated in the scheme when it was introduced last year. 

The UGC announced the adoption of International English Language Testing System as the testing instrument for the scheme in July 2002. The system covers listening, reading, writing and speaking.