Orig. on 12950/17/47
Extract from despatch/from the Governor often to the Secretary
KONG
of State for the Colonies dated
11th February, 1947.
42
100
10.
His Majesty's Ambassador in Nanking is said to be most anxious for the resumption of scholarships for students from China to the University of Hong Kong and I am equally convinced of the importance of such scholarships. Action in this matter must await the decision which is to be taken shortly on the future of the University of Hong Kong, but in the meanwhile it is worth recording that the provision of these scholarships would be a most welcome activity of the British Council. The provision of scholarships from this Colony to other universities is normally the responsibility of Government, but it is to be hoped that the British Council will be able to assist in the provision of vocational scholarships to provide for such objects as the training of teachers in English and of those who wish to study Music or the Arts. There is in existence in the Colony a University Selection Committee and I propose that the British Council representative should be co-opted as a member.
13.
The importance of improving the standard of English in China is not only receiving the attention of the Chinese Ministry of Education but is also said to be engaging the personal interest of Marshal Chiang Kai-shek. The Vice- Chancellor of the Hong Kong University has put forward a proposal for the establishment of an institution sponsored by the British Council and administered by the University and the Education Department in collaboration, for the purpose of training teachers from China in the teaching of the English language to foreign students. It is proposed that this course, which would be for post graduate students from China, should be of at least one and if possible two years duration. This again is dependent on the decision reached with regard to the University and I propose to submit a detailed scheme shortly after a decision has been taken.