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HONGKONG UNIVERSITY. A STUDENT'S ATTACK.
We have received the following cons munication from a Student of the Hong kong University. In view of the damaging. nature of the allegation it contains--
AFTER EIGHT YEARS.
THE PROSPECTS OF THE
UNIVERSITY..
[BE PROFESSOR MIDDLETON SHITH-],
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, SATURDAY, MAY 20TH, 1920.
Various unfounded rumours have been
$10,000 per annum. Even they, for all "their enthusiasm, could not have supposed that there would have been, within seven years," such a numerous staff as is now engaged at the University.
friends. We have the possibility of a very sefal future unless we are "crabbed." by possibly well-meaning, but certainin hissed, erities. We are practically are of further financial support if we can con- At that time I was not afraid of vince this impartint body, the Commission, feit-in-any-anal-budget of any public that we shall spend the money wisely. Let allegations which, we felt, were founded 1erenlating in the Colony during the last institution, always provided that the the Colony be true to the old British deficit is not out of all proportion to in-tradition and play the game. Let it come. But I was maxions, I still not attempt to prejudge individuals or an anxions, that all the different courses of institution when an impartial enquiry is Faculties in the University should be being held. efficient. "It would have been much better So far as I am able to find out; the
upon
misconception ut Facts-ww thought it advisable to convey the gist on it orally to the University authorities in order that their explanation may appear at the spine time. Wo withheld
few days concerning the University Perhaps that wiss inevitable, after the
unouncement in the Casette concerning Commission. But it may be excusable for one who has unofficially written so much About this local institution during the last
the publication of the article for a day; eight years to state a case unoheially, for / to have been content with the old Hong-fdilowing is the staff available for work
calm consideration,
to allows time for reply, which, however, ha hot been forthcoming as an oficiul
There is a homely proverb' which says teen, but we are able to give in that when poverty comes in at the door, the adjoining columns from the pen of love is out of the window" The real Professor Middleton Smith, Dean of the
sons which have led up to the appoints Faculty of Engineering, an accolant of the ment of a Commission to enquire into the prospects of the University which may working of the local University are, as is serve to correct same of the misapprehenwell known, connected with finance. There sions which prevail. '
is not poverty at the University; there is
handsome revenus aured and good": prospects; but this is a time when gymn pathy and financial help are needed as expenditure has exceeded income..
THE CHARGE.
It is quite useless to attempt to go over the facts which have fed up to the present posición of affairs. It is certain that, in the past, as now, everyone who, held any official position in the University has acted with the most pincere motives for the good of the whole institution.
THE TROUBLE AT HOUR.
During the last few days there has bero much discussion in the University Council. Various rumours have reached the students, but no information has been „given - officially to them "although the decisions that are being made concera themo vitally.
From reliable sources phy vo learned that three professors have resigned, or, rather, been requested to to the professors of English Education and International Law,
The then gentlemen are all of the At the presunt tim, there are several Faculty of Arte, With their resignation British Universities suffering, for various this Fabully will have only he professor, reasons, from financial difficulties. They that of Poktién! Economy. So far as we are not in a state of poverty, hat the
need, money badly. None of these institu- tions is perfect, but they have all done.use ful work. If they can persuade people to supply money they can continue their old activities. If they can persuade people to give much money, they will be able to extend their activities. If they can obtain no additional income they must either curtail their activities" or indulge in un- sound finance, the result of which mar easily mean a complete cessation of their existence,
are aware, no other Faculty has been affected in the matter of staff.
Doubtless the University authorities ang alive to the necessity of retrenching
int they are extremely unfair, to say the Pleast, to the Faculty of Arts. Why should they cut down the expenditure at the expense of this Faculty Its monters exceed those of the other Faculties Be sides, it has always been understood that The three Freulties are par an equat foot ing.
If the University has to retrograde, all the Faculties should in No
Are "four profesors too many for a Faculty Do chenarthorities suppose
In-camunaith-other-British Univer
| Long College of Medicine, and',19 hase made that really, an efficient "school for training doctors, than to have also created schools of Mining, Music or other subject fam convinced that the three Faculties of Medicine, Engineering and Arts have a staff sufficient to make them efficient next year. Of course we should all like to see a larger staff in each Faculty. We can only have that if there is money to pay for it.
1:
in the University next year. For@nadical students, & full-time Prófessors, one full. time lecture and five part-time lecturers total 11. In Engineering there will be 3 full-time Professors (two, in addition, will be on leave) and either four or âve full- time lecturers-total s
In Arts there will
in
he
נןכן
addition,
3 Professors (one, leave) eight full-time lectarerg and two full-time (English) tutora-total "13. In all these figures, Profesors Gr Here let me say at once that I am con- | lecturers in subjects, such as Mathematics. vinced that in this past some of those in or Physics, common to more than one authority had great anxieties in connec Faculty, have been includes. tion with the financial problems of the
-In-the-minds-frenie-of-my--Chinme- University. They must have realised that friends there seems to be sone confusion the costs of the work in connection with concerning the meaning of the word “Pro- Medicine and Engineering undertaken by fesor." They apparently think this in- the original founders and the new course Seas a teacher has secured the title he is in Arts would tax the resources of the not worthy of respect, That is, altogether University coffers very much. They were wrong. I remember that the most coin. ceaseless in their efforts to increase the petent teacher, on the staff of the Eniver- revenue.
sity of Birminghans-was a gentleman who- was head of the department for the train- For twenty years I have lectured in ing of tenchers. It has more studenti British Universities--not technical Schools than any other department in that Univer- and for twenty years I have, in such siy. But the head of it was not a Pro- seant-leisure as has come to me, been a fewor, but a lecturer--In-nctus)---fast- garret-student of English literature, there should be Professora only when there history and economics. But I remember are endowed chairs, All of un connected that the British have been succesful in with de l'niversity are anxious to help building up a great Empire and civilisa-the students, but there must be discipline. tion," not only because of the inspiration If a student has any particular grievance of a great literature, but because of a the Dean of his Faculty is always willing shrewd, practical sense which, for want of to hear him., The Dean can, and will. a better word, we ont common-sendeal with the problem in the best possible It is that which enables the banker with way All of us have personal grievances. his seven per cent, to drive the eart out But in our efforts to remedy them we must of his castle. I suppose it is that which not be disloyal
UNPLEASANT FACTS.
hat one is more than enough Let them sities, the University of Honglong is, ahas enabled the British to build up this There are two ways in which any parti- think of any other University. Will Frenity be recognised as a Faculty when present, in the unfortunate position of remarkable Colony of Hongkong. It is cüler department of Faculty of the Uni- needing mones. It always has needed almost a religion with the British that you yersity may be wrecked. Que is by the there is only one professor?
Should they carry out their inten-money, from the day that the first lecture must keep your expenditure within your incompetence of the Sinff. The other is tirns, the Faculty of Arts will not be what
by the disloyalty of the students. I am OTO The tinierty will be was delivered within its walis. It is only income. In that matter, Eniversities may b corrineed that in the University of Hong. h more than a secondary school, so far right and proper to add that it has found'
be little unorthodox. But there are the Arts are concerned. Yet what has generous donors. It would be a great re limits to unorthodoxy. And it is a sub-kong, thure are competent members of the been promised to the students? That
the standard of the London University lief to hear of others just now. But even religion, with some of us that you must face staff in all Faculties. In certain that
"If only they are left alom, and not en j aimed at by the University of Hong if there were available no fupiber funds facts.. kong and its whole organisation has been fit would still be possible to keep the light-
In requesting that a Comicission should, barrassed by anonymoux carrespondents, planned to this end.'
The standard of examinations in the house lit up. The intensity of the beams be appointed to investigate the finances they are so competent that they will make past may have been equal to that of of light must depend, of course, upon the and the working of the University the out a good case to the Commission base London, but can as mich be said of the quantity of all provided. But wise light Authorities acted in a manher for which also certain that there are many loyal members will judge it impartially. I.am mehing? Does the London University take in lecturers who hail from the staff house-keepers watch carefully the quantity everyone who has the interest of the of contmon schools and know no more of of all available. It is much better to have
University at heart should be grate their subject than the students them a beam of light which carries a distance ful. The true friends of education selves? Yet our University did and still less than we hoped, than to have no light and the true believers in high does.
In the past the "Faculty of Arts at all. In actual fact the light was never ideals will do nothing, say nothing, received the least attention and the Staff burning more brightly than just to hamper the work of the authorities at Waa miserably inadequate. With the present. coming of a bigger and mare efficient
apon their alma mater.
:1
THE BEGINNINGR.
this juncture. Above all ease, they will do nothing, say nothing, to give the impres
માં
students.
"Amongst my Chinese friends are old students who were under me in the Univer sity of London sixteen years ago, as well sity of Hongkong who have been here an old and present students of the Univer
during the last eight years. I have often staff the prospects looked brighter, but If we remember the state of affairs only
told them how much I admire the Chinese now they are darker than they have ever bern before. Before the staff is complete, right years ago-June. 1919 may find, that the University has failed. It traditions of respect for age and teachers. atient down before the new influence not only a little consolation but even not failed; it has succeeded beyond the I have noticed with distress, the tendency in felt, it is withdrawn.
If the Faculty grant needs be ent down certain amount of satisfaction is what has wildest hopes of those of us who have of the Western-trained student class in Then it had been served it for nearly eight years. This is China to disregard those fine traditions. so much, is it not more advisable to cut been accomplished.
a time of trial, but it is at such periods we all have our own different ideas about Fitton completely! One wonders what decided to open the University with two
kind of students the mutilated Faculty Faculties only-Medicine and Engineer that the acid test is applied which reveals education. My own include a belief that
There can be failure every University student should be encour will turn out. Equal to those of ouring. The revenue from endowments in friends and foes. Schools? They will indeed, bring credit those days.was very much less than it is due to one cause-disloyalty."Financial | aged to love literature so that be may The University offers marvellous op today. It is quite useless to cavil as to embarrassments can, with time and care find an inspiration for any work which portunities to studenta on paper. They whether it would have been better to have and energy, be overcome. But if the it is his lot to do. But he must net, as are guaranteed an education equal to that of London. They are promised ahad Faculties of Music and Theology in graduates, the undergraduates, or the past did the Germans, think that literature is degree worth one from an English Univer stead of Medicine had Engineering friends of the University now turn and above morality. sity. Everything is painted in bright
I cannot, and I will not, enter into a colours, and when they come in, behold, There was the fact. The University attempt to destroy, however good their une professor in the Faculty of Arts! authorities, doubtless för very good ren motives, then indeed there will be proof newspaper controversy on matters which "Let these to whom the affairs of the sons, decided upon Medicine and Engineer that the University has failed. After all, are rub judice. But I have sufficient faith University are entrusted think before they take any steps prejudicial to the welfare ing Bat they held out a hope that, when the true test of education is the character in the British and the Chinese to believe One is that whatever the of the University or any paft of it these Faculties had been firmly established, which it moulds. In the English public two things. Efficiency must be maintained in the it would be possible to create other schools and Universities there are, good findings of the Commission may be it will Faculty of Arts." If the alternatives are Faculties, including those of Science and ness only knows how many obvious defects. aut the reputation for justice which a lowering of the standard and extinction of the Faculty, the intter is far more
But there is one great triumph, which has this Colony rightly prizes beyond all else. preferable.
In following this plan they practically been largely instrumental in building up The other is that, in the future as in the "Should they insist on carrying out followed the example of the provincial the British Empire. It is the creation of past, the Chinese in the great majority, their pernicious, schemes, let them think a Universities of Great Britain, the pattern a tradition of loyalty. There can be will show their practical appreciation of minute of the consequences. Will students Remain in an institution that offers a before the eyes of the founders of the nothing more disloyal to the staff and to the efforts being made to introduce to thein farse stretching over four long years the University of Hongkong. All these the University as a whole, at this juncture, Western learning by supporting the tandard of which is not that of a modern centres of learning commenced in than to circulate idle rumours or malicious University Gnancially and in every other University course and a degree which- cannot but excite mirth and derision quite a humble way as schools of science ennards – And here let me say at once that possibly-way.
or technology, and gradually expanded this view is shared by every responsible Another.
correspondent using the until they were able to extend the curri-person connected with the University. In perdonym. "E.Y.E.8." writes:
With regard to your report of an incula and include auch very desirable sub 1809 the majority in the British Paria- terview with the Registrar of the Univer- jects as are generally known as the ment expressed itself by the blunt langs A Chinese youth, when charged with sity regarding the resignation of Profes sors Wright anti Brayshay, am I to under-
Humanities
agé of Mr, Fuller in the House of Com attempting to commit suicide by cutting stand that this is not the result of any In the University of Hongkong we have mons. "If you do not like the country, buy throat with a chopper, told the Magis contemplated scheme of retrenchment, but been, perhaps, rather more fortunate than you can leave it.""
trate that he had been sick and was net merely of their own free will l
those pioneerinstitutions in England. | Let us have done with petty cavils and rest umible for his actions. He cut his Alty regionable person knows that for overy effect there must be a cause, and for We have expanded more rapidly. "Before crude criticisms of an institution which throat and then crawled into hod where every net, a motive. In this case there we had gained any experience about the needs every help possible. Nobody likes he was found by the Police lying in a must be some reasonable reason for their cost of supplying an education of a retrenchment, either personal or national. pool of blood A relative promised to Boudden and unexpected resignation/tag
Can it be the tropical climate which University type for the two Faculties, Many of us feel disappointed when wo se send the man back to the country and the they have endured for seven years? Can Medicine and Engineering, our enthusiasticno immediate prospects of further rapid Magistrate bound him over in $50 to be it be the rowdineer of the Arts Students, friends persuaded us to commit ourselves development. But, after all, if we have of good behaviour for six months who have hitherto remained quiet)
Or can it be the cancellation of the to the expense of another Faculty. They our financial difficulties, we have assets
Arts.
— Chairs," which is at present a wide were very sincere, they gave splendid which are too valuable to be expressed in
aprendramour ?
To prevent any misunderstanding-will
AN ATTEMPTED SUICIDE:
Mr. Martis, Premier of Baskatchewan,
Canadian-Dominion-power
proofs of their earnestness by guarantee terms of moder
of money. We have had eight years. is opposed to the proposal to give the those who know kindly enlighten 1: ing, for a period of five years, a sum of of experienon. We have some honest own Constitution.
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