# Comparative Education Research Centre, University of Hong Kong
**Wikidata**: [Q136834486](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q136834486)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/comparative-education-research-centre-university-of-hong-kong

## Summary
The Comparative Education Research Centre (CERC) is a research institute within the Faculty of Education at the University of Hong Kong. Established in 1994, it is dedicated to the systematic investigation and generation of new knowledge in the field of comparative education.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** 1994
- **Location:** Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
- **Parent Organization:** University of Hong Kong (specifically the Faculty of Education)
- **Primary Function:** Research institute (instance of)
- **Field of Work:** Comparative Education
- **Operating Language:** English
- **Website:** https://cerc.edu.hku.hk/
- **ISNI:** 0000000119408442
- **VIAF ID:** 142208957
- **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no98097403

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of the Comparative Education Research Centre?
As a research institute, its primary purpose is to conduct research and generate new knowledge in the field of comparative education, distinct from organizations that focus primarily on teaching or policy advocacy.

### Q: Where is the centre located and when was it founded?
The centre is located in Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, and was established in 1994.

### Q: How is the centre identified in library and academic cataloging systems?
It is formally classified as a research institute and holds specific identifiers including a Library of Congress Authority ID (no98097403), an ISNI (0000000119408442), and a VIAF ID (142208957).

### Q: How does a research institute like CERC differ from a think tank?
While think tanks primarily conduct policy-oriented research to influence government decisions, research institutes like CERC focus on fundamental scientific inquiry and systematic investigation within their specific academic discipline.

## Why It Matters
The Comparative Education Research Centre serves as a dedicated engine for discovery within the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Education. By operating specifically as a research institute rather than a general academic department, it concentrates resources and talent purely on investigation in comparative education, free from the teaching obligations that divide university faculty attention. This structure allows for deep, systematic inquiry into educational systems across different contexts, accelerating breakthroughs in understanding how education functions globally. In an era where educational policy and practice are increasingly cross-cultural, the centre plays a critical role in advancing human knowledge and addressing complex global learning challenges without distraction.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Focus:** Dedicated exclusively to the field of comparative education.
- **Organizational Structure:** Functions as a distinct research institute rather than a standard teaching department or a policy-focused think tank.
- **Global Identification:** Recognized through multiple international authority control systems (ISNI, VIAF, Library of Congress).
- **Language:** Operates primarily in English, serving as a node in the global academic network.

## Body
### Organizational Classification and Nature
The Comparative Education Research Centre is formally classified as a **research institute**. This designation distinguishes it from other types of organizations such as scientific societies (which are membership-based) or think tanks (which focus on policy). As a research institute, the entity exists specifically to generate new knowledge through systematic investigation.

It operates as a distinct organizational form that focuses purely on research, differentiating it from university departments that must balance research with teaching missions. The centre is mapped to `schema.org/ResearchOrganization` for structured data purposes and is recognized in library cataloging systems as a specific type of institute.

### Affiliation and Location
The centre is a sub-unit of the **University of Hong Kong**, specifically falling under the **Faculty of Education**. Its geographic location is identified as **Hong Kong**, within the sovereign territory of the **People's Republic of China**.

### History and Operation
The institute was established in **1994**. Its operations are conducted primarily in the **English** language, as indicated by its official website qualifiers. The organization maintains an online presence at **https://cerc.edu.hku.hk/**.

### Identification and Authority Control
The entity possesses a robust set of identifiers across major knowledge organization systems:
*   **ISNI (International Standard Name Identifier):** 0000000119408442
*   **VIAF (Virtual International Authority File):** 142208957
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** no98097403 (under the name 'Comparative Education Research Centre')

These identifiers facilitate the unambiguous identification of the centre in global academic and library databases, distinguishing it from other entities with similar names or functions.