HWB 9/14
17 July, 1968
14,
We had some exchanges with your department last year, by way of minutes on my department's papers, about establishing a new technical institute in Hong Kong. The idea was to find a project that would be symbolic of our goodwill and support for Hong Kong in its ordeal of confrontation with the communists. We had in mind a jointly- financed project, with Hong Kong responsible for recurrent expenditure and the capital cost found wholly or partly from some outside source. Colombo Plan funds were suggested as a possibility, a proportion of the places at the institution being set aside for the training of nationals from Colombo Plan countries. But our conclusion was that the Plan's funds could not be used for this purpose. And, since the availability of funds from our own resources was doubtful the idea was not pursued.
Meanwhile there has developed a growing awareness in Hong Kong of the need, at this stage in the development of the economy, for an institution catering for higher technical or vocational training - a polytechnic. The Minister of State (Lord Shepherd) had discussions on the subject when he visited Hong Kong in October last year. These confirmed his own view that this was a field of education which Hong Kong could no longer afford to neglect. During the Governor's recent visit to London it was agreed that we should explore the possibilities of C.D. & W. assistance towards a project of this nature.
The Hong Kong University Grants Committee have provided the Governor with a short preliminary note setting out their tentative proposals. A copy is attached, The Committee will be meeting
in London in August and have asked whether we could meet them on 7 August to discuss the project further (Hong Kong Telegram No. 888, copy attached).
Clearly a good deal more work has to be done before any firm proposals emerge. But I feel it would be useful if you (and the education advisers) could join us in discussion with the Committee next month. This would, of course, be without commitment on your part. But it would be most helpful if you could by then give us some indication (for our own information only) about the likely availability of C.D. & . assistance for this project.
*
F. P. Dunnill, Esq.,
Ministry of Overseas Development.
(W. S. Carter)
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