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We have, in accordance with our terms of reference, reported (in Part V) or the immediate steps for restoring
6.
higher education facilities in Hong Kong. Such action on the se emergency proposals as has been possible without pre judice to the major decisions on the ultimate fate of the University has already been taken. Further action, however, which is
be coming increasingly urgent cannot be taken until a decision is made on our main recommendation.
PART II. ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDATION.
ORIGIN AND PRESENT POSITION OF UNIVERSITY.
1. The University of Hong Kong was created in 1911 mainly by the efforts of Lord Lugard. It incorporated the existing College of Medicine, which had been founded in 1886 by Sir Patrick Manson and Sir James Cantlie. The purposes of the University were defined in the ordinance of 30th March, 1911, as "the promotion of Arts, Science and Learning, the provision of higher education, the conferring of degrees, the development and formation of the character of students of all races, nationalities and creeds, and the maintenance of good under- standing with the neighbouring country of China. " In September 1941, the University included Faculties of Arts, Science, Medicine and Engineering, and had a student enrolment of approximately 600, of whom about 120 we re
women.
2. At the outbreak of the Pacific war, a small number of the students were granted war-time degrees, and the others were given certification of their completed studies. Nearly two-thirds of them succeeded eventually in reaching Free China, and of the se most were enabled to continue their studies in Chinese Universities and colleges, partly as a result of arrangements made by a member of the University staff who escaped inte rnment to organize the work. The buillings were severely but not irreparably damaged. Almost all equipment and fittings were destroyed or looted, but the contents of the libraries have survived nearly intact. Through deaths, retirement or other causes, only 12 out of the pre-war total of 32 senior posts on the staff are occupied: and of 21 posts previously held by Europe ans only 6 now are Occupied.
NEED FOR A BASIC DECISION
3. By its terms of reference the Committee was invited "to make a recommendation as to whether or not the University as such should continue to exist." The Committee had before it urgent requests for the early re-opening of the University from the Commander-in-Chief, Hong Kong, from the Chief Officer of the Civil Affairs Administration, from Sir Mark Young shortly before his departure from the United Kingdom to take up his duties as Governor, from leading Chinese residents in the Colony, and from associations of old students. It was evident that a decision to close the University would cause bitter disappointment, and the Committee itself was naturally reluctant to contemplate such a drastic course. Nevertheless the Committee realized that an
/oocasion