Staff Grant, Funding & Support

This scheme encourages staff members to attend and present research papers at international conferences. Subsidies normally cover registration fees and travel/accommodation expenses. The maximum grant amount for each application is HK$8,000. A staff member may receive a total up to HK$10,000 for attending more than one conference in each financial year (July-June). Applicants must apply for the grant prior to attending the conference.  The two exercises of applications will be open in May and November.  Application forms are downloadable from the College webpage during the application period or can be obtained from Mr Raymond Ho (Tel: 3943 5407) / Ms Memory Lau (Tel: 3943 8657), Secretary of the Committee on Academic Exchange and Research of United College.

These schemes were established in 1989 to provide financial support to faculty members of the College to carry out academic research projects. The maximum grant amount for each project is HK$30,000.  Annual application is open between April and May for the new financial year (July-June). Application forms are downloadable from the College Webpage during the application period or can be obtained from Mr Raymond Ho (Tel: 3943 5407) / Ms Memory Lau (Tel: 3943 8657), Secretary of the Committee on Academic Exchange and Research of United College.

This scheme provides financial sponsorship as “seed money” to staff members of academic departments and units of the University to organise academic conferences in Hong Kong. The designated conference account holder will be required to provide the College with a full financial report upon completion of the conference, and return, on a pro-rata basis, unused funds to the College if the conference eventually has a credit balance in the final account. Interested parties please apply in May annually.  Application forms are downloadable from the College Webpage during the application period or can be obtained from Mr Raymond Ho (Tel: 3943 5407) / Ms Memory Lau (Tel: 3943 8657), Secretary of the Committee on Academic Exchange and Research of United College.

United College Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W N Cheung Research Excellence Award
(Formerly named “United College Early Career Research Excellence Award” in 2018-2021)

The Award was set up in 2018 to promote research excellence and to recognize and honour outstanding academic staff members of United College at the outset of their independent research careers. It was established with the generous support from Mr Joseph W N Cheung, College Trustee, and will be given out annually to a promising early career scholar of United College. Applications are invited between April and May each year. Application forms and guidelines are downloadable from the College Webpage or can be obtained from Mr Raymond Ho (Tel: 3943 5407) / Ms Memory Lau (Tel: 3943 8657), Secretary of Committee on Academic Exchange and Research of United College.

Under the sponsorship of United College Endowment Fund, the College invites one internationally renowned scholar each year for academic exchange activities.  The invited scholar is provided with return air tickets as well as accommodation and living allowance.  The visitation arrangements will be jointly worked out by the Distinguished Visiting Scholar Committee and the nominator, usually include two public lectures and meetings with faculty members and students.  Nominations from College members are invited annually by mass email. For enquiries, please contact Ms Amy M Y Luk, Secretary of the Distinguished Visiting Scholar Committee (Tel: 3943 8654).

Website of the scheme, please click here.

Supported by the United College Endowment Fund, this scheme was established in 2005 to encourage active participation in research activities and the publication of findings by College staff. It is hoped that such activities will enhance their professional and academic standing and help them to gain recognition for their works. Starting from 2024, the scheme is also accepting applications for publication of open-access journal article, offering an even broader platform for the research dissemination of college members.

For enquiries, please contact Ms Chilles C M Tam, Secretary of College Publications Committee (Tel: 3943 1948).

This scheme provides financial support to College staff who engage undergraduates of United College as helpers in research or administrative projects. The award rate for a student helper in Term 1 of 2024-2025 is HK$67.2 per hour (including HK$3.2 as MPF). The scheme is administered by the Committee on Student Campus Work Scheme. The two exercises of application in each financial year usually open in May and November. Application forms are downloadable from College Webpage, or can be obtained from Ms Memory Lau, Secretary of the Committee on Student Campus Work Scheme (Tel: 3943 8657).

The Social Fund was set up encourage engagement and strengthen connections between teachers and students of United College outside classroom. As such, it covers expenses incurred by teaching and administrative staff of United College while engaged in consultation, tutorial and such other legitimate activities in relation to their teaching and mentoring duties. The yearly budget is $1,000 per staff member. The claim is $100 per person per occasion. Additional fundings have been allocated to supervisors of GEUC4011, College Coordinators, Wardens, PE Teachers as well as leaders of study tours. Application for reimbursement should be submitted to the College Dean of Students’ Office before 15 June 2024. Application forms and further details are downloadable from College webpage, or can be obtained from Mr Ken Chan, Dean of Students’ Office, United College (Tel: 3943 1288).

The United College Staff Residence is located on United Road opposite Hang Seng Hall. There are 20 family units at the Residence for United College staff who are not entitled to other housing benefits, and for visitors. The College is responsible for the management of the staff residence. For enquiries on the rental of visitor flats, please contact Ms Meko Yau, Dean of Students’ Office at 3943 7573.

Thanks to the generous donations of College staff members and support from the College Endowment Fund, the College set up an Emergency Loan Scheme for terms of service B and C staff in 2004. The purpose of this Scheme is to provide short-time financial relief to staff in need, especially at times of unexpected family predicaments.

Located on the ground floor of United College, the Tien Chi Digital Creative Space (formerly known as the Tien Chi Microcomputer Laboratory) is a dynamic hub designed to support students, staff, and members of the Alumni Association. In 2021, the College transformed the former computer lab into a multimedia studio, equipped with the latest hardware and software to meet the evolving needs of digital content creation.

This revitalised space empowers users to engage in the full spectrum of video production—from filming and editing to sound recording, mixing, and adding visual effects. It offers students a practical space to apply creative skills in coursework, campus projects, and community service.

For details, please view this webpage.