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In response to media enquiries, a Central Policy Unit (CPU) spokesperson today (December 7) stressed that following revisions to the mode of operation of the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme, the CPU will adopt objective criteria in assessment. Academics will be involved and the assessment will follow the established principles with a system on declaration of interests. It will uphold academic freedom.
The spokesperson said, "Since the introduction of the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme, the social, economic and political landscape of Hong Kong has witnessed significant and continued changes over the years. Rising public expectations on the government have entailed the need for more timely and issue-specific public policy research.
"We have therefore reviewed the operation of the scheme and decided to adopt a revised mode of operation to keep pace with the new environment."
The objective of the scheme remains unchanged, which is to foster public policy research. The revised mode will help lay a stronger theoretical foundation for government policies. It will allow researchers to gain more insights on the practice of theories and policy implementation, thereby attracting more researchers to conduct public policy research. It will also help the Government strengthen its theoretical basis for policy formulation, allowing public policy research to meet the research needs of the community and the Government.
The CPU will administer the scheme, including the identification of research areas and topics, invitation of applications, assessment, and monitoring.
The scheme will continue to be open to academics from University Grants Committee-funded institutions. In addition, other higher education institutions and public policy research think-tanks will be covered. The research topics will be specified having regard to the public policy issues faced by the Government and the community. Applications may be invited whenever a research need is identified to allow more timely launch and completion of research.
The CPU will work out details of the revised mode of operation and launch it in 2013. As the new mode will commence in 2013, all projects which have been funded under the Public Policy Research Funding Scheme and Strategic Public Policy Research Funding Scheme will not be affected.
Ends/Friday, December 7, 2012
Issued at HKT 20:06
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