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THE MAJOR RECOMMENDATION OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committce find themselves in something of a dilemm They are convinced by their examination of the situation, hat, even before the war, the needs of Hongkong itself did not warrant a University's being developed there, nor could Hongkong afford a University. It is also true that, except for the singl exception of the Medical School, and that itself was starv‹d of finance as measured by modern University standards clscyhere. Hongkong University was, and this through no fault of its overworked staff, doing little work of trus University sta idard. In particular, research, which is an essential part of University activity, was practically impossible under the conditions that then existed. Further the Committee beli ve that the situation has deteriorated considerably because of the effects of the war, both upon Hongkong University and the University world in general.
A large part of the staff of Hongkong University have become war casualties or have reached an age-limit and the will be impossible to replace by men and women of true University calibre since the better financed Universitics of Great Britain and the Dominions and many fields outside the Universities, will be competing for the services of a diminished pool of potential University staff.
This already difficult situation will not be cased by the fact that it is likely that the Colonial Office will shorily be promoting a University for the Far Eastern dependencies in Malaya or Singaporc. A not inconsiderable proportion of the students of Hongkong University in the pre-war days were'
This flow Chinese from British territories outside Hongkong. of students is likely to be attracted in future to a well nourished University which will be especially intended for their benefit. They must therefore be largely lost to Hongkong, unless they are drawn there by high intellectual standards and by a system of Scholarship and Studentship neither of which is a locally supported University likely to be able to afford.
On the other hand, it has been made quite clear to the Committee that any degradation of status of Hongkong University would not only be resented by the local inhabitants, but would undoubtedly be the cause of a serious loss of prestige to the British Commonwealth not only in its Far Eastern dependencies
The but in China and other associated countries as well. latter effect is especially likely and will be of greater weight because the future relations of Hongkong, the Commonwealth and China are at the moment undetermined and uncertain.
A décision to replace a local University by a group of Colleges of lesser status, while undoubtedly it would be justified by the standards and resources of the present institution when compared with those of other Universitica, might well be taken to be a first sign that Britain, reco¿aising that her commitments in this part of the world are now be; ond a strength diminished by the second World War, was consequently beginning to draw in her horns.
/Sir Mark Young,
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