CO129-558-10 Hong Kong University- engineering faculty 3-1-1936 - 11-2-1936 — Page 15

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that there may perhaps be something in the attitude of the staff

that has led to the present position, or some misunderstanding

between the staff and the local industry which could be removed.

If, for instance, Hong Kong conditions or Chinese mentality suggest

a sandwiching of practical workshop training between the academic

or theoretical parts of the course in preference to the postpone-

ment of practical training until the student has graduated, the

fact that such a procedure is not always adopted in other University

courses ought not presumably to prevent its adoption in Hong Kong?

The Committee members who have been considering this

subject are not concerned with the civil engineering side of the

Faculty, regarding which they have heard no adverse criticism, nor

with preparation for the lower ranks of skilled artisans, foremen

and supervisors. For the latter adequate arrangements are

apparently being made in the technical school and in the further

activities that are being planned in connection with that school.

The local confidence which these arrangements are understood to

have inspired makes the lack of co-operation between the University

Faculty and local industry the more surprising.

A University Faculty is presumed to prepare students for

positions of responsibility and scope superior to those for which

a technical school is adapted. Though such positions may be few

in number in the Colony of Hong Kong or the Straits Settlements, it

will be recalled that one, if not the chief, object for which the

University was founded was the training of Chinese for appointments

in their own country, and it was no doubt in consequence of this

declared intention that the Chinese Government at Pekin and at

Canton so cordially supported and subscribed to its endowment.

For the advancement alike of the welfare of China, of British parti-

cipation in its economic development, and in fulfilment of the

declaration made at its foundation, it is regarded of the utmost

importance that the Engineering Faculty should be capable of