CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946 — Page 176

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Cox suggested that as secondary schools in Hong Kong had

been closed during the occupation, the number of suitable

entrants for the University would be small.

Brigadier MacDougall agreed but said that there were a

number of Hong Kong students who had attended schools in

Free China.

Mr. Sloss thought that it was probable that very few of

these could be ready for university studies.

Sir George Moss asked for a precise statement of the reasons

why those in authority in Hong Kong wanted an early re-opening

of the University.

Brigadier MacDougall replied that apart from the provision

of higher education which it was felt was one of the justifications

for a British administration, it was believed that the University

might have a profound influence on the course of affairs in the

Far East. The demand for an early re-opening came from people

in widely varied circumstances. There was no doubt that Hong

Kong was proud of having a University but both influential Chinese

and Europeans hoped for a University more generously planned and

more adequately supported than in the past.

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Mr. Sloss explained the delays that must be faced in getting

staff and equipment from England. Equipment could be delivered

in minimum quantities for Elementary Science teaching by September

which meant that laboratories could not be re-equipped in Hong Kong

before January or February. The available staff consisted of

two medical professors, a professor and a Lecturer in English, a fecturer in physics, a professor and perhaps a Lecturer in

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economics and an uncertain remnant of Chinese staff. New men

were difficult to find. The idea of teaching Elementary Science

by demonstration and without practical teaching appeared to him

entirely unsatisfactory in the case of Oriental students.

Brigadier MacDougall