CO129-594-2 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee report 1-7-1946 - 19-8-1946 — Page 125

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capital and recurrent expenditure involved, which we tenatively estimate at approximately £1 million and should be met from Imperial sources,

per annum, expectively a contribution

We express

from the Colony on the seale of its pre-war suppor the hope that His Majesty's Government may consider inviting some of the Dominion Governments to participate in providing the necessary funds for this British centre of learning in the Far East.

4.

We consider that the University should be reconstructed as a autonomous institution and on a permanent basis, so far as buildings, endowment and other arrangements are concerned, b. cause, irrespective of any political changes, which the future

sting sospe

its special, y hold in store, we envisage

unctions and its representative character will make of it a factor of

Far East

Permanent value in We cannot emphasize to strongly our conviction that the standards of the University must be such that can face beor comparison with those of universities in the United In contrast to its Kingdom and of Chinese universities, position when first founded, as the only university institution

had radically on the Chinese continent, its relative position changed in the period before the war with the development of

It is certain Chinese universities of first-class standard. that Chinese institutions, partly with substantial American and other foreign assistance, will regain and surpass their

For the British former distinction and standards.

Commonwealth to be represented by an impoverished institution, with an overworked staff under-equipped and denied the condition pobl Poller of making contributions to knowledge by research, and yet

presuming to call itself a university, would be discreditable.

Prifatter The continuing damage to our prestige, involve would be greater that such

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than that entailed by a frank confession now that we are not a situation able or willing to restore Hong Kong University, even though would that decisiɔn

carry with it the implication that we are uncertain of the future of British interests in the Far East and regard the commerce of ideas as a matter of secondary

concern.

6. The development of higher education facilities in British Colonial areas in the Far East, particularly the establishment of a University of Malaya, will reduce the proportion of studentr

Our conception of the coming from overseas to Hong Kong. central purpose and justification of the University, however, implies that it should Jest to the function envisaged for it in ite carliest days by Lord Lugards and that it shoult deal and

specially attract, both undergraduate and postgraduate students

We recommend in our detailed from the mainland of China. suggestions that there should be a generous scheme of scholarships to Hong Kong for students and research workers from the CAINA and appropriate hostel arrangements to minimize the difficulties created by the high cost of living in Hong Kong. We have taken this main purpose into account in defining the scope of teaching and research to be undertaken at the University, and regard it as important that staff appointments

We repeat, however, should be open to British and Chinese.

we

that in final analysis it is not scholarships or other material provisions or the particular range of teaching that will attract Chinese students to the University and ensure its widening influence in China, but the quality and standard of its work.

so much aud

/6.