CO129-531-9 Hong Kong University- proposal to found faculty of Chinese studies 17-10-1930 - 10-6-1931 — Page 92

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on the other hand, Chinese students are able to come

into contact with British civilisation without loosing

touch with their own natural environment in the words

of a Chinese Viceroy, they are "within sight and hearing

of their superiors". The residential system has been

adopted and in their Hostels the students are open to

the best moral and religious influences, though no

distinctions of creed are made by the authorities.

The

The University started with the idea that China's greatest need was scientific and technical training and that Hong Kong should be a centre for training skilled doctors and qualified engineers. University could scarcely be better placed for this purpose: Government hospitals and the great dockyards and engineering establishments of one of the world's busiest ports afford ample opportunities for practical training. From the first, however, it has been recognised the scientific and technical training alone are not enough and there is a strong Faculty of Arts, training the young Chinese in Letters and Philosophy, Social Science, Education and the like.

The University is not a Government institution though it has the strong support of the Government and the Governor, as Chancellor, presides over its Council. Grants have been voted from Government funds; but a remarkable feature of the University is the extent to which it has been supported by the generosity of private benefactors. In 1929 out of a total income of $609,000

not less than $300,000 was provided by the interest on private benefactions. Generous help has been received

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