CO129-576-5 Hong Kong University 13-6-1939 - 23-11-1939 — Page 104

Summary of the Chief Recommendations of the

Report of the University Development Committee.

8A

104

The purpose of the Committee was to consider

"what developments of studies are desirable

and possible in order that the University of

Hong Kong may co-operate more effectively with

the Universities of China in higher education, 11

i.e. how the University can best become "a common focal

point of British and Chinese cultures." The Committee and

the Governor are both agreed that hitherto the University

has almost completely failed to provide a British University

education for students from China; this is apparent from

the table showing the nationality of University students

for the last 10 years. Apart from the Yunnan students

who are assisted by special scholarships, none came from

the interior of China. The main causes of this failure

to establish any co-operation with Chinese Universities

are attributable to differences of spoken language, the

growth of nationalist sentiment and political self-assurance

in China since the revolution, the high cost of living

prevalent in Hong Kong and the inadequacy of existing staff

and equipment which are not sufficiently superior to the

Universities in China to attract students.

The Report falls conveniently into 3 Parts:-

1.