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 205

CONFIDENTIAL

203

HONG KONG UNIVERSITY ADVIS?RY

COMMITTEE

Draft Minutos of the Fifth meeting of the Committeo held in the Conference Room at the Colonial Office, Dover House, on March 25th 1946.

PRESENT:

Mr. C. Cox (In the Chair)

Mr. Adams

Sir Herbert Eason (for the first part of meeting only)

Mrs. Foster

Professor Hinton

Dr. Kountze

Mr. Morse

Sir George Moss

Professor Ponson

Sir Humphrey Prideaux Brune

Dr. Priestley

Mr. Sloss

Kr. N... Smith

Miss Ruston

Apologies for absence were received from:

Dr. Channon and Dr. Venn, and Mr. Burney.

fr. C.P. Fitzgerald (Regional Officer for China at the Headouartors of the British Council) and Professor F. Redmond (Hong Kong University) wore present during the carlier part of the meeting.

7

The draft minutes of the last moeting were approved.

2. Mr. Fitzgerald reported on the British Council's plans for China.

He said that the main activity in which the Council had engaged co far had been the subsidising of certain posts and chairs connected with the teaching of English in Chinese Universities. Because of the high cost of living in Chinu at present time the salaries paid by the Chinese Universities were insufficient for Europeans and tho Council's assistance enabled English men and women to be appointed when it would not otherwise be possible. At the present time three such posts were filled and there was a considerable field for expansion.

Another activity of the Council was the provision of books. A library was maintained in the Council's Hoadquarters at Chunking and it was hoped that more would be established in other places.

The Council also arranged visits to this country. During the current year the visits of fifteen post-graduate studens had boen arranged, six visiting Professors and twaleve to fifteen distinguished visitors. The number varied according to whether the visitors wore able to pay part of their oxpenses. Post-graduate students came for two or three yours, visiting Professors normally for one your for refresher courses and study leave, and distinguished visitors, who wore not necessarily academic, for varying periods. Mr. Fitzgorald added that the Council endeavoured to maintain an even balance as between science and the humanities but that scientists had porhaps predominated.