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As regards ICAC, a link with Hong Kong University would be the most convenient arrangement. But many tertiary academic institu- tions in the United kingdom do not necessarily require a first degree qualification from students wishing to pursue a higher degree by way of part-time scheme. Currently only British universities are affiliated to the scheme, which Mr. Stuart regards as unfortunate. There would be no problem in Bramshill accepting The University of Hong Kong as being connected to the Fellowship scheme, particularly as its examina- tion standards are vetted by the Ministry of Education in U.K. Unfortunately, so far the University of Hong Kong have shown only mild interest in the scheme. However, more and more law enforcement offi- cers from Hong Kong are attending Bramshill and, in some cases, even being sworn in on secondment from the Royal Hong Kong Police to serve operationally in English police forces for a period of two years. This could auger well for the future of the Fellowship scheme regarding a formal association with Hong Kong.
Although fees payable to, say, a university for undertaking a research degree can be quite high, there would be no fees payable to Bramshill for any of its services except if accommodation were (occasionally) required.
The research topic I propose is one which, I believe, could be of immense benefit to ICAC and indeed Hong Kong and this is one of the reasons for my own enthusiasm.
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A thoroughly researched and agreed justification for ICAC's continued existence in view of the Sino/British agreement on the future of Hong Kong would, in my view, be an essential base on which to nego- tiate any future role.
My research would cover the following areas (subject to any later advice I might receive):
(a)
the history of Hong Kong and China with regard to the development of corrupt practices and public attitudes towards them;
(b)
(c)
a comparison between the resources in Hong Kong devoted to fighting corruption and those devoted to combating other crimes and social evils;
a comparison with similar organisations in South-East Asia regarding the cost-effectiveness of ICAC;