A MORNING POST, FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 1950.
174 P
PLANS FOR UNIVERS Y
GREAT DEVELOPMENT
Proposed New Chairs, Buildings And Departments
SURVEY BY
REGISTRAR
A very comprehensive survey of future plans for the development of the Hongkong University, based on the recommendations of the Northcote (1939) and another Committee in 1946, was given by Mr B. Mellor, Registrar of the University, when he spoke at the weekly luncheon meeting of the Y's Men's Club held at the Hongkong Hotel Roof Garden annexe yester- day. Mr Wellington Hsie presided.
carrying out
missions; and a
its
-
BR
wider created, and it is expected that we Committee shall be able to appoint a Professor was appointed the following some time this year; year to consider its future And the final recommendation was that the Libraries should be greatly development. The Committee
extended in content-substantial took as its terms of reference grants have been made available an enquiry into ways and
in the last two years. and it is means, on available and hop- for all time.
hoped to be able to continue those ed-for finances, of developing
From this resume of the recom- the University more fully as a mendations made, and the progress focal point of British and Chi-made in their fulfilment, it should nese cultures, in view of its
be obvious that the University is past failure to attract students wide development it cannot be ex- setting out on a programme of very from the interior of China; and pected that results will be seen I am now going to mention immediately, but the University has each
faith that in a very few years these of the recommendations
great strides made towards attaining made by the Committee, with ita wider missions will be felt an explanation of the point
throughout the Far East. reached by the University at this date in implementing their provisions, so that you may have a clear
picture of the University's present progress. and its intentions for develop-
ment:
In 1946, a further Committee was set up by the Secretary of State to consider the future of the Uni- versity in view of the loss of leeway through the War. Its proposals for re-establishment and development put forward by the 1939 Committee were on very similar lines to those appointed by the Governor and of which I have just spoken; but not- able additions were recommenda- tions covering the provision of Honour courses, which we expect to be in a position to offer during the year; of a Department of Architecture, for the housing which a portion of a new Engineer- ing & Architecture building nearing completion has been set aside, and for which a Chair in Architecture has been created: of courses in Social Studies, for which the as- sistance of Government is being solicited; and the creation of ■ Department of Extra-mural Studies, which must at present walt until the University teaching staff is at full and effective strength.
next
The Recommendations The formation of a Univer- sities Bureau for China, pro- The recommendations, he said, must await the vision for interchange of Staff formation of a new British Institute for Far Eastern
with Chinese Universities, and the provision of scholarships Studies which it was hoped may be founded within for students from China-these the University to serve the needs of Oxford, Cam- recommendations must await bridge and London Universities as well as those of
the formation of a new British Hongkong.
Institute for Far Eastern Stu- Planning for this was in its earliest
dies, which it is hoped may initial stages.
be founded within the Univer- sity to serve the needs of New Chairs to be created will University itself but also Oxford, Cambridge and London be for Zoology, History and So- general representation by the Universities as well as those of cial Medicine and History. Ar- election to the Court and the Hongkong. chitecture
Planning for this and Extra mural Council of more leading mem-is in its earliest initial stages, Studies Departments are plan- bers of the Colony's community. and its final institution depends | ned.
i The Senate had become un-upon many still The University
wieldy, as all full-time lecturers factors; authorities were proposing to build a dining
were members, and it was re- The Committee also recom- hall ($500,000):
to include
from the Vice- mended extension of the Pok- a Great Hall as formed a memorial to
Chancellor, the the University
Director of fulam Road playing-field, and fallen (from $800,000 to a mil- Education, and the Professors the Students' Union-the ex- lion); a
new Students Union and Readers of the University, tension of the playing-field is (about $800,000) and probably
questions under discussion, the Pavilion an Institute of Education ($650.- concerned with academic mat- having already been enlarged, 000. With our present resour-
ters, and controls, as sub-bodies, and a new and, we hope, ces," said the Registrar, it is a Matriculation Board, a Hostels adequate Students' Union will doubtful if we can adequately complete more than two of these projects."
Giving an idea of the mini- mum cost of endowing posts and scholarships in the University. al present rates, Mr Mellor stated they were: a Chair $800,- 000; a Lectureship $575,000; a Research Fellowship $575,000; and a Full Scholarship or Re- search Studentship $120,000.
In 1920 the cost of a student's education was $1,200 per year while in the present academic year the cost was $3,300, of which the student himself bears less than a quarter, the Govern- ment about two-thirds, the rest being from endowment income.
518
Mr Mellor pointed out the great need will be for additional staff to cope with the present increase to 630 students from the hughest pre-war figure of and the expected increase to 850-900 within the next two years: and to maintain in all Faculties a full programme of research, without which a uni-
esit was not a university.
Early History"
In his address, the Registar said:
for
The idea of a University Hongkong was first propounded in 1905, but it was not for some two years that the idea began to take root, and with the Hong- kong College of Medicine, found- ed in 1887, as the proposed basis for a new University, appeals were successfully launched by a Committee formed and headed by the late Baron Lugard, then Sr Frederick and Governor of Hongkong. The recommenda- tions of the Committee bore their first fruit in the laying of the foundation stone of the University in March of 1910, in a building made possible by the bountiful generosity of the late Sir Hormusjee Mody.
The
tive
Senate decides
unresolved
of
To assist the University in its this greater financial commitments under
scheme of Government
development, the increased its annual maintenance grant, from late in 1947. to one and a half million dollars. Even this enormously increased grant, together with our income
other
sources, will not be sufficient for entire implementation of all these proposals, particularly in vw of the fact that our teaclung commitments have increased sharply since before the war. Our great need will be for additional staff, to cope with the present increase to 630 students from the highest prewar figure of 518, and the ex- pected increase to 850-900 within the
The Hon Mr L. B. Pearson (third from left), Canada's Minister of External Affairs, who attended the Commonwealth Conference at Colombo. Ceylon, is expected to pass through Hongkong later this month on a round-the-world-flight. the first ever to be undertaken by a plane and crew of the Royal Canadian Air Force. Photo shows Mr and Mrs Pearson aboard the four-engine North Star aircraft with members of the party which accompanied Mr Pearson to Colombo.-(Capital Press service).
one
next two years; and to maintain in all Faculties a full programme of research, without which a Univer sity is not a University.
Committee, and a Library Com- be built in the not very dis- mittee.
tant future; The Council is the execu- The provision of a Women's authority advised by Hostel adequate to full the
By the early 1930s it has been Finance Committee and equiements of residence-for stated As a cardinal principle
Committee.
Sir Building
The this,
Robert Ho tung
of administration of the finances of the Court,
of the most re-
majority of Universities has recently donated the magni-Great
in Britain, that one-third of presentative bodies in Hongkong, ficent sum of $1,000,000 and the the cost of educating a studeni In March of 1912 the Univer- lays down larger policy, and is Hostel should be ready for oc-
should be borne by the student him- sity opened, its objects set forth guided through recommendation cupation by our growing body of
self, one-third should derive from that it by
endowments, and in the clearest terms:
the Senate,
one-third the Council, women students before the end support
from by Government, local should be open to all races and and an Honorary Degrees Com- of the year;
authoritles and donations. Since creeds, that its Matriculation mittee. The four Boards of the
before the War this equal diviston and Degree Examinations should Faculties of Medicine. Engineer- were recommended, and some
Increases in teaching staff of costs has become unreal. and Universities are no longer able to be maintained at a standard ing, Arts and Science initiate
call upon student, to pay one-third equal to those of English Uni- matters of teaching policy, and start has already been made to
of the cost of their education. In- versities and that it should pro- advise and recommend
cope with the increased numbers come from endowments has no mote good understanding and Senate. While
tes of s.udents by supplementing longer the value what it had; and the University friendship between the British is closely connected with the
fallen upan and the Chinese, In Lord Government,
Re-organisation of the whole Government in the and is normally
form of in- Lugard's own words, "Its pur- able
of the Queen Mary Hospital as creased annual grants to Universi- to count upon its sym-
ties. In a teaching hospital--this. I re-
the University pose has a boundless
of Hong- horizon, pathetic support, it is in no
kong, even in 1920 a student was and it is founded on motives sense a Government institution, gret, desirable though it may be, bearing in payment of tuition fees and principles which neither and the 1937 Ordinance Revi- is not looked upon with any only 21.5 per cent. of the cost of pass nor die." Its Faculties were sion publicly
his education, which amounted to made this quite great favour by Government, in
about $1,400 year. In this Acade- hen Medicine and Engineering, clear by the very nature of the view of the expenditure involved mic Year 1949-50, the cost of edu- in providing a new building to cating a student is $3,300, of which
less than a quarter, and Government 66 per cent. about two-thirds, the rest being from endowment income
the prewar staff establishment; student has inevitably
the main burden of educating A
Arls being added the following changes set forward. Through-house the equivalent number of he himself bears only 22.5 per cent
year and the Faculty of Science out the University's
existence
The institution of a Department of Public Health-for this, we will create a new Chair this year, and will appoint a Professor of Social Medicine by August.
in 1939. The Times of London the Governor of the Colony has Government beds; reported, in its issue of June 7, been ex officio Chancellor of 1913. that "The Hongkong the University, thus ensuring University is a reality because continuity of administration and of the enthusiasm of the Bri-policy within the University, in tish in the Far East and of the its relation with the needs of Chinese merchants associated the Colony, and also ensuring with them. . . . it will have a the assistance and co-operation most far-reaching effect on the of Government. relations between the East and the West."
Liberal Support
the
The provision of research scholar- ships-for this there are at present no adequate funds available:
Civil Engineering The concentration of energies upon Civil Engineering by abolishing the teaching of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering-the Univer- sity no longer offers Courses in
of Civil
Therefore, unless the burden upon the student is to be increased and we cannot in fairness expect Government to bear more than it i; doing-income from endowment should be increased. To give you some idea of the minimum cost of endowing posts and scholarships in the University, at present rates: Chair would cost $800,000 to endow a Lectureship $575,000; Research Fellowship $575,000; Scholarship or Research Studentship
Accounting Principles Since the occupation, prin- Liberal-handed support from ciples of Government account- Mechanical and Electrical Engineer | $120,000. local community-leaders con- ing have been adopted, greatly ing, and funds are now being ap- tinue through the following to
of simplification theplted to the betterment
Engineering courses; years, and the world-wide na- annual balance sheet. In brief, ture of the University that was assets in the form of value of for civil engineers-negotiations are books, then growing up in Hongkong buildings,
furniture, was made abundantly clear in laboratory equipment and the grant of some $750,000 by on are not carried forward on the Rockefeller Foundation of yearly depreciated assessment, Science Laboratories and the in- America as the initial endow- but are written off as acquired, ment of the Clinical Chairs in so that the annual balance Ob- sheet paints an accurate picture Medicine, Surgery and stetrica and Gynaecology, in of the liquid position and work 1923.
ing of the University for the
under review.
to
year
This
SO
蔬
and a Full
Proposed Buildings Endowment is far from being the University's only need. We are pro- posing to build a Dining Hall at a cost of about $500,000, a Great Hall as a memorial, at from $800,000 10 one million dollars, a new Students' Union. at about $800,000, and probably an Institute of Education at a cost of $850,000. With our present resources, it is doubtful if we can adequately complete more than two of these building pro- jects.
The erection of a Surveying Camp In frain with Government to AC- quire a suitable site, which may also be used for geographical and geological survey work;
The building of satisfactory auguration of a separate Faculty of Science were further recommenda- tions a separate Faculty of Science was formed the same year that the Committee reported, and the North- cote Science building was completed
may not rely in the last months of 1941, just in
entirely upon its in full use: time for the occupation-it is now
students and its graduates. It needs also all the The inauguration of work in support, financial and even niore Marine Zoology-a Chair in Zoology important, moral, that the com- has recently been established, and munity it serves may give to it. it is hoped to fill the post by sum- Qur University
of has its pride mer of this year by the appoint-place not 2.8 a University, but as ment of a Professor of wide X- The University of Hongkong, and that he may be of asistance also perience in Fisheries Research, 40 draws its inspiration from the love that all who have the good of the Fisheries Research Institute;
Colony at heart must bear towards
A University its reputation teachers. its
for
In 1937 the Ordinance of 1911 directly opposed to the normal for incorporating and regulating business system of accounting, of the University was revised, which usually results in ba-
give
University lance sheets that directly
successfully bodies, and teachers and ad- ooscure from the inexperienced ministrators, a greater liberty in eye the solvency or insolvency of the interpretation and carrying the Companies presenting them. out of general policy. Its im- mediate effect was to lessen the In 1938 the then Chancellor, control which Government had the late Sir Geoffry Northcote,
On behalf of the Club, Mr C. P. had on the Council of the delivered a speech in which he
these are at present under review: Wong, a graduate of the University, that
Univer- University, and consequently to indicated
the
Development of the Department | proposed "a hearty vete of thanks increase not only control by the sity had not succeeded in of History-a new Chair will be to the speaker.
in
The
the proposed Government
extension of Geography. Geology and Philosophy teaching
it.