CO129-561-7 Hong Kong University 4-1-1937 - 22-9-1937 — Page 3

لله

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I attach opposite a summary of the report

of the Committee. The essence of their finding

appears to be that the University of Hong Kong has

not sufficient contact with China and in particular

that students who come from China to study at the

University rarely return after graduation.

The influence of the University is much

more than a purely Colonial matter and is concerned

with the whole of British policy in the Far East.

Apart from the intangible and doubtful question of

"the spread of British culture" it seems probable

that the filtration of British educated technical

students, particularly in engineering, into China

is of considerable help in encouraging British trade.

It is perhaps a matter in which assistance to the

University from H.M.G. might be considered.

Clearly

the University is not at the moment the centre of

British thought in the Far East which it aims to be,

and it seems doubtful whether, if supported by

Colonial funds alone, it can ever be so. It may be

I use wate

Great Resta desired to consider this question (later. For

immediate action .-

? send 11 copy of the report to the

University's bureau, asking them to keep it confi-

dential for the moment and 2 to the Foreign Office,

asking them to transmit one copy to H.M. Ambassador

in China. Mr. Mayhew may wish to circulate copies

to the Advisory Committee on Education when the full

report, as considered by the Executive Council, is

received. Meanwhile, we might acknowledge the

despatch, expressing appreciation of the careful

attention which the Committee has given to the problem

and note that the results of local discussion will be

communicated