CO129-558-10 Hong Kong University- engineering faculty 3-1-1936 - 11-2-1936 — Page 17

Mr Mayhe

CHINESE GRADUATES IN ENGINEERING.

5-16

I.- Mr.Strickland refers to the difficulty which is experienced in inducing Chinese engineering students in

Hong Kong to undergo their practical training in the work-

shops. Reports from, Hong Kong seem to indicate that the

difficulty exists only in the case of the University students and does not extend to the lower ranks of artizan, foreman and supervisor/trained in the Trade and Technical Schools; also that it does not refer to the University civil engineer- ing students but only to those of the mechanical- electrical branch of engineering.

That

II.- An examination of the 'documents available shows that for these University mechanical-electrical engineering students the practical workshop training which is necessary

given is, to some extent at least, by the "sandwich" system. is to say the practical workshop training is sandwiched between the academic or theoretical parts of the course. In cases where the practical training or apprenticeship is left largely until the student had graduated there is bound to be difficulty in getting him to begin working as an artizan in a workshop.

-

III. If the "sandwich" system is employed exclusively there should, as a rule, be no great difficulty in giving the practical training. The granting of special inducements in the shape of scholarships or allowances, as suggested by Mr.Strickland, might be helpful, but they should not be

necessary.

Iv.- The possibility of suitable employment is a factor which may affect the outlook of the grąduate. Unless there is a sufficient number of suitable posts for such graduates they may be forced to continue working as a ordinary work- man or foreman like the product of the Trades School.

It is difficult to see how there can be many mechanical-electrical posts of the graduate class in Hong Kong, that is compared with the number of civil engineers

V.-