11
LABORATORIES.
The re-equipping of laboratories at first
threatened very long delay, but negotiations
have shown that apparatus and appliances for elementary teaching
in the basic sciences may be made available in Englund for dis-
patch in time to reach Hong Kong at some time in September.
Until a long term policy has been approved, that is, until it
is known what kind of University is to be established and what
its scope, ro-equipment must be limited to the minimum require-
ments for elementary Chemistry, Physics, Botany, Zoology. There
is little hope of securing in Hong Kong before the early months
of 1947 the necessary equipment for the Departments of Physiology,
Anatomy, Bio-chemistry and Pathology.
STAFF:
The gravest difficulty however, arises in the
recruitment of Staff.
Seventeen senior teachers
of the University have retired or have died. A great number
of the Chinese members of the Staff worked in China during the
Japonesa occupation of Hong Kong and they wish to continue there.
Limiting the survey to senior staff only, the University his u
Registrar, a Librarian, a Professor and a Lecturer in English,
a Professor of Economics, a Lecturer in Physics, a Professor of
Fhysiology, a Professor of Gynacology, a Lecturer in Mechanical
Engineering. Ten out of twentyseven senior posts aro filled:
and even if all were filled, pro-war experience shows that
several Departments would still be dangerously understaffed
even to keep the University going on the unsatisfactory pre-war
scale. Recruitment of University teachers for posts in the
United Kingdom has probably never been so difficult as it is ut
present The difficulty of recruitment to Colonial posts will
be very much greater. Further, it is impossible to hope to get
good mon to take the risk of accepting appointments to a placo
so far from the centre as Hong Kong unless they can be assured
of work that will interest them.
46
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.