The University Grants Committee welcomes the formal agreement the Chinese University and the Institute of Education have entered, to develop deep collaboration - a move meant to enhance the quality of teacher education.

Chinese University Vice Chancellor Lawrence Lau and Institute of Education President Paul Morris signed the agreement today, which formally affirmed the two institutions' position to seek closer collaboration in teacher education in the next two three-year spans.

"This is an important milestone achieved for the discussion process. We believe the two institutions, by working together, can enhance the quality of teacher education, for the benefit of the entire educational sector. We are happy to support this initiative," Committee Chairman Alice Lam said. 

The committee has already indicated that it would consider, at an appropriate time, a joint submission from the two institutions seeking additional financial support for this initiative.

Mrs Lam said the committee looked forward to seeing the development of deep collaboration between the two institutions bear real fruit in terms of tangible results for the academic and professional enhancement of teacher education in Hong Kong and the region.