CO129-588-8 Hong Kong University- British Council scholarships and Rhodes Studentship 11-1-1941 - 17-12-1942 — Page 69

of Lingnan University, out of their home, facilities rendiers to help in widenced by the fact that, after the Japanese occupation of Canton istranti

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69

anxiety and has retarded progress. The costs of a university are

high and, in spite of many generous gifts and a subvention from

the Colonial Government, more funds are urgently needed. The grant

from Government was increased in 1931 from $50,000 to $350,000 a

year, but this did little more than enable the normal expenditure

to be met. A donation however from the Boxer Indemnity in the same

year made it possible for the University to give effect to a revis-

ed scheme of salaries and to carry out in a small measure urgent and

long standing schemes of expansion.

It has been suggested that, on grounds of economy, standards might

be lowered. This would be a deplorable and retrograde step and not

consonant with the undertakings given to the original supporters.

Indeed every effort should be made further to expand. The Univers-

ity cannot stand still: it must go forward or it will inevitably go

back.

Up to date over 2,600 students have been admitted to the University,

the of whom some 35 per cent have graduated. The number attending course

in 1939 was 515 of whom about one fourth came from China proper.

The number included many students from Malaya. The number of women

students was 107, of whom 79 took the Arts course. Of these women

students 24 came from China.

Since the commencement of the Sino-Chinese conflict the education

system of China has been somewhat disrupted and there is now a

greater opportunity for the Fong Kong University to render essential

service,

that country but the lack of funds and accommodation is

a serious handicap.

both

One of the main objects of the foundation of the University was to

attract students from China and it is in this direction that so