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paaaaAAN HONG KONG UNIVERSITY SUNNUNA
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THE EVOLUTION OF THE UNIVERSITY.
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idea of establishing a University in Hong Kong was advocated by the China Mail and others in 1905, but for a year or so it remained mere pious aspiration of an entirely nebulous character.'
In Decem- ber 1907 at a prize-giving at St. Stephen's College, Lord Lugard ex- pressed the hope that the project might before long take shape. Shortly after this Sir Hormusjee Mody told Lord Lugard that he was prepared to erect the necessary buildings at a cost of $150,000 and to give $50,000 towards the cu- dowment of the University.
Students The College of Medicine had still no buildings of its own. lived in their own homes or in lodgings, and lectures and clinical teaching were arranged in some uine hospitals and other institutions scattered throughout the city. In 1905 Government had offered a site to the Court of the College, and Mr. Tang in 1907 Mr. Ng Li Hing had offered $50,000 towards a building. Cheuk Kai had given $10,000 and in 1908 the Court of the College had made an appeal for further funds.
Lord Lugard felt that the projects of the University and the new College It wel- of Medicine might be combined. The College Court was approached. comed the larger scheme of a University for Hong Kong, and it offered to amalgamate the College in the University. The site was given up; Mr. Ng Li Hing's endowment was diverted to the University scheme with his consent; the Court's programme was abandoned and their appeal devoted to the endowment of the University.
But in May Then followed much discussion and no little misgiving. 1909 Messrs. John Swire & Sons and the China Association contributed each £40,000, the Viceroy of Canton gave $200,000. The Government of China made a grant and the Chinese communities of Canton, Macao, Saigon, Newchwang, Amoy, Penang, Wuchow and Australia, added their subscriptions to those of the Hong Kong Chinese.
The foundation stone of the University of Hong Kong was laid on the 16th March, 1911. The best British minds which were then concerned with the problem of China and the influence of the British therein believed in the Hong Kong University scheme. And the claims of Hong Kong to be the natural Students centre for western education in the Far East seemed overwhelming. would obtain in Hong Kong opportunities for studying colloquial English and of acquiring something of a western atmosphere, though still in touch with their own people. At the time many Chinese students were going to Europe and It costs America. This was regarded as a costly and dangerous process. many hundreds of dollars a year the Viceroy of Canton wrote in his manifesto to maintain a student in Japan and many thousands to maintain one in a western country. The expenditure has taxed the resources of the different The provinces to the uttermost and great anxiety is felt as to the future."' value of English as the medium of the University's instruction was emphasised
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Pronomenama HONG KONG UNIVERSITY Lankarana -"Graduates by the mastery of English will acquire a key to a great literature and a great trade."!
The University was to be open to all races and creeds, and its matri- culation and degree examinations were to be maintained at a standard equal to that of English universities. While its medium was to be English, Chinese language and literature were also to be taught. Residence was to be compul- Bory. There was to be no obligation of any kind whatsoever to adopt, or to receive, instruction in any particular form of religion, but the University would work in harmony with all religious bodies. While independent of the Colonial Government and controlled by its own Court, Council and Senate, the University was to include on its management some of the principal Govern- ment officers. The Governor would be Chancellor so as to ensure continuity of The administration and the co-operation and assistance of Government. University would promote a good understanding and friendship between British and Chinese. It would, in fine, afford a cheaper means of acquiring higher western education for Chinese, without exile to the west for a long period, in- volving denationalisation and disunion from their parents and people.
The University was incorporated by an Ordinance of the 30th March, 1911. The Ordinance has been amended in 1920, 1925 and 1927. ciple of religious and racial neutrality is embodied in Section 18 of the Ordinance.
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In connection with the foundation of the University His Majesty's Government granted the sum of £300 per annum for scholarships for British subjects and His Majesty the King was graciously pleased to direct that the holders should be called King Edward VII, Scholars 85 a token of His personal interest. Each scholarship is of the annual value of £40 and is tenable for the term of five years. One or more scholarships may be awarded each year on the results of the Matriculation Examination.
Other scholarships were endowed by Mr. Belilios, Mr. Ho Fook, Mr. Lo Cheung Shui, Mr. Ho Wing and Mr. Ho Kwong. The Ng Li Hing scholarships now awarded in the Medical Faculty were inherited under trust from the Hong Kong College of Medicine. A varying number of open scholarships each of the value of $1,235 a year are awarded by the Hong Kong Government to students in the Education Department of the Faculty of Arts who undertake after graduation to serve as teachers in local schools for a prescribed period.
When on a visit to Hong Kong in 1922, His Royal Highness Edward Prince of Wales, was graciously pleased to accept from the University its Honorary Degree of Doctor of Laws.
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