CO129-567-12 Hong Kong University 24-1-1938 - 24-1-1938 — Page 177

22.

Report.

Of the remaining 192 only 82 have obtained engineering posts in China proper.

24. The scope of an Engineering Faculty in British and American Universities goes far be- yond anything which, in our opinion, should be attempted in Hong Kong. In these Universities its functions rightly embrace original work, re- search and an advisory capacity to industry as well as sound teaching in the principles of engineering. In Electrical Engineering, for example, we are advised that a Technical College even of a high order would concentrate upon such points as operation and repair; whereas a Univer- sity proper would go in more for research and design. "In our view it is quite out of the question for Hong Kong to compete in the latter sphere with the vast aggregation of electrical knowledge of Europe and America; nor can we see any good reason why this should even be attempted.

It follows that in our view Hong Kong University need not follow the organization of Universities situated in Eng- land."

Resolutions of Senate and Faculties.

The Senate considers it very satisfactory that, in the face of adverse factors, so many of its eligible graduates have found employment in China.

(a) The Senate declares that the department of engineering of this University is, as it ought to be, generally similar in its scheme of instruc- tion to the engineering departments of Univer- sities in Great Britain, but provides no facilities for advanced or specialized instruction beyond the basic minimum required for degree courses. It therefore does not merit the criticism of being elaborate or pretentious.

(b) The Senate considers that the references to Design and Research (Paragraph 24 of the Report) can only be based on an unfortunate misconception of the training in engineering pro- vided in this or any British University.

(c) The Senate desires to point out that Design is the natural bridge between theory and practice in engineering, and forms an essential part of any degree course.

not

(d) The Senate wishes to emphasize as re- gards Research, that it finds no place in under- graduate courses here or in Great Britain; also that in the Engineering Faculty of this University even post-graduate research has yet been undertaken. No attempt has ever been made here, and it is inconceivable that any attempt ever could be made here, to " compete with the vast aggregation of electrical (and mechanical)

knowledge of Europe and America ".

Resolutions of Council.

-9-

193

Report.

25. The Faculty is at present organized with the three Departments of Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineer- ing each under its own Professor with his assist- ant staff. We are left with the clear impression that these Departments work disjointedly and we are satisfied that a less elaborate and a less pre- tentious organization will amply meet the present day requirements of the University. Our main conclusions in regard to staffing this Faculty are that a single Professor will suffice instead of the present three; that he will naturally be the Taikoo Professor of Engineering (who need not by Statute necessarily be a Professor of Mechanical Engineering), that he should be ex officio Dean of the Faculty; and that he will be assisted by a staff of Lecturers (partly we would hope recruited from the ablest products of the University itself) who in the various departments would be ade- quate to give instructions on the lines required. These changes when they can be carried out with- out injustice to the present staff would we are convinced result in a better organization and a better discipline throughout the Faculty as well as securing an appreciable economy.

Resolutions of Senate and Faculties.

(e) The Senate desires to point out that in- struction in Electrical and Mechanical subjects (including Lectures, Laboratory Experiments, and Workshop) is essential for Civil Engineers, and hence that drastic economies in the depart- ments of electrical and mechanical engineering would place in jeopardy the efficiency and even the stability of the entire Faculty.

The Senate submits that the present level of our Engineering Degrees ought to be maintained, and declares that for this end all the subjects now included in the curricula for Final Examinations in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering, are essential, and that they ought not to be reduced in scope or standard.

The Senate considers that a reduction of the Senior posts in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering (from Professorships to Readerships or Lectureships) on grounds of financial strin- gency if ever carried out should be effected by holding the chairs in abeyance and not by their abolition.

Resolutions of Council.

Resolved that the teaching of Engineering in the University be re-organized on the following basis:-

(a) When the posts of Professor of Electrical Engineering and Professor of Mechanical Engineering fall vacant they should be held in abeyance;

(b) In Engineering the University should for the present confine itself to teaching and examining, in its fourth year courses, for a degree in Civil Engineering;

(c) Arrangements should be made with the University of London for the holding in Hong Kong of an Intermediate Ex- amination in Engineering to be taken by students who wish to become Electrical and Mechanical Engineers; and (d) The University should contribute in the form of scholarships to be awarded to students from China to assist such students towards completing in London degree courses in Electrical and Mechan- ical Engineering after passing the Inter- mediate Examination in Hong Kong,

E

194