CO129-376 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [3-4] — Page 212

MEMORANDUM.

204

In drawing up the Statutes for the University of Hong- Kong, the Authorities have wisely adopted a constitution

similar to that which has been found to possess the necess-

ary elasticity and powers of growth and adaptation to chang-

English

ing conditions, in the newer Universities; and which has

been recommended in London by the Academic Council to the

Royal Commission now sitting, for adoption in the University

of London itself.

According to this type of constitution, the Government of the University, theoretically in the hands of a large

Court. is actually entrusted to a small Council, to which

all the powers of the Court are delegated, and which con- sists chiefly of administrators and men of experience in the

conduct of affairs, with a minority formed by representatives

of the teachers themselves.

(In most cases these latter are barred from sitting on

the Finance Committee of the Council).

In all Academic matters, the Council is guided by the

advice of the expert body of Professors, the Senatus Academi-

cus, or Senate, which thus really determines all matters

affecting curricula and examinations, and makes recommenda-

tions as to the needs of departments and necessary develope-

ments and changes without regarding too closely the financial

aspect of any of their proposals.

The Vice-Chancellor is at the same time the administra-

tive head of the University and the president of the profess-

ATL

mal body he is thus the connecting link between the

academic and the administrative sides of the University.

In the opinion of the writer, the enforced presence at

the Senate meetings of another person, such as the Director

of Education, who is not a member of the teaching staff of