CO129-593-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45. Includes 32 photographs depicting-... 10-1-1945 - 20-1-1946 — Page 142

138

the American University system, I consider that the British tradition has also many good points, to which the Chinese are by no means blind. I feel sure, from the experience I have had working with the Chinese Ministry of Education in Chungking, especially as it is now under Dr. Chu Chia-Hua and Dr. Han Li-Wu, that the Chinese welcome this principle.

I quite realise that the acceptance of the "All- China" function of Hongkong University involves a decision on major policy, in which the Foreign Office will be vitally concerned. I am convinced that the wider, rather than the narrower, program, is the right one, (cf. the Gordon King memorandum, sections 3(a) & (b)).

Nest I should like to say that in my opinion, the main emphases of Hongkong University ought to be upon those branches of learning in which the Chinese are backward, and not upon those in which they are relatively advanced. I regard this principle as very important, for if it were well and imaginatively implemented, the University could become a centre of research famous throughout China in certain specific and concrete fields. Only in this way can true prestige be gained. Our experience in this Mission during the war has proved once again that the Chinese are extremely acute and quick in detecting the second-rate. If we desire to have the kudos and respect which is accorded to genuine high achievement in science and learning, the only way is to provide it. The alternative is a fourth-rate University in a provincial colonial backwater, and it is clear that fear of this was in the minds of the signatories of the Report. But the real stuff needs a bold, generous and dependable long-term financial policy.

This principle may be found implicit in the pages of the Report itself, when, for instance, in Ch.VIII,#47, p.26 it is proposed to endow (too cheaply) ́a laboratory for chemical micro-analysis. It is also seen in the confidential note (undated) by Mr. D.J. Sloss where he says that there must be as quickly as possible a large production of trained engineers and medical men. In a way, it has long been accepted, in so far as the University has had a better reputation for its Medical School than for its other departments.

The section of the Report dealing with science seems to me to be conceived in too narrow a way. We are told (Ch.VIII, #54,p.31) that there is no teaching or research of any kind in Geology. We are also informed (Ch.VIII,#48,pp.26,27) that there is even no Biology except that taught to medical students, and that the Committee were "unable to accept the estimate of neces- sary expenditure made by the Department" which, quite rightly,

wished