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REPORT OF THE HONG KONG ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Preface
The Committee which has met twelve times, has regarded its task as being in the nature of an exploratory survey, and has been conscious that decisions on the basic questions referred to in question (a) of the terms of reference must ultimately be subject to considerations of high policy, financial and political, some of which depend on various factors necessarily lying outside our cognizance.
After considering the broad issue in the light of our individual knowledge and experience and of the relevant factors so far as they are known to us, we have no hesitation in expressing the opinion that a University should con- tinue to exist at Hong Kong. This recommendation is, however, made with the important proviso that it depends on acceptance of our recommendations on the second part of question (a), namely, the policy which should govern the resuscitation of the University.
Our recommendations on question (a) are stated briefly in Part I of our Report. The facts and arguments on which we base them are set out in Part II. We next give, in Part III, an outline of the scheme which we consider appropriate for the development of the University in a revived form, having regard to the special circumstances of the case. Part IV explains the financial implications of our proposals, so far as it is at present possible to assess them. Finally, in Part V we deal with the immediate action called for, which covers the question referred to us in paragraph (b) of the terms of reference.
Part I. Main Recommendation
1. We recommend that the University of Hong Kong should be re-established as soon as possible on a firm financial basis, with staff and facilities adequate to make it fully capable of reaching British academic standards and becoming an effective centre for Sino-British contact in the sphere of learning.
2. We are of opinion that the restoration of the University on its inadequate pre-war basis would be detrimental to British prestige in the Far East; and that, if it is not to be restored on a worthy standard, it should not be revived at all, in spite of any immediate effect on prestige and the loss to British cultural relations with China which such a decision would entail.
3. The University is needed to represent British scholarship in the Far East and to be a centre where advantage can be taken of the unique opportunities presented for cooperation between British and Chinese learning at the point of junction between the two civilizations. We do not regard the present higher education needs of the Colony itself as justifying the maintenance of a Univer- sity. We therefore recommend that the capital and recurrent expenditure involved, which we tentatively estimate at approximately 1 million and approximately £85,600 per annum, respectively, should be met from Imperial sources. We express 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 an autono- mous institution and on a permanent basis, so far as buildings, endowment and other arrangements are concerned, because irrespective of any political changes which the future may hold in store, we foresee that its special functions and its representative character will make of it a factor of permanent value in the Far East.
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5. We cannot emphasise too strongly our conviction that the standards of the University must be such that they can bear comparison with those of universities in the United Kingdom and of Chinese universities. In contrast to its position when first founded, as almost the only university institution on the Chinese continent, its relative position had radically changed in the period before the war with the development of Chinese universities of first- class standard. It is certain that Chinese institutions, partly with substantial American and other foreign assistance, will regain and surpass their former distinction and standards. For the British Commonwealth to be represented by an impoverished under-equipped institution, with an overworked staff, and denied the possibility of making contributions to knowledge by research, and yet presuming to call itself a university, would be discreditable. The continuing damage to our prestige that such a situation would involve would be greater than that entailed by a frank confession now that we are not able or willing to restore Hong Kong University, even though that decision might earry with it the implication that we are uncertain of the future of British interests in the Far East and regard the commerce of ideas -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 in Malaya, will reduce the proportion of students coming from overseas to Hong Kong. Our conception of the central purpose and justification of the University, however, implies that it should fulfil Lord Lugard's ideal and attract especially both undergraduate and postgraduate students from the mainland of China. We recommend in our detailed suggestions that there should be a generous scheme of scholarships to Hong Kong for students and research workers from China and appropriate hostel arrangements to minimise 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 we regard it as important that staff appointments should be open to British and Chinese. We repeat, however, 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, so much as the quality and standard of its work.
7. We have, in accordance with our terms of reference, reported (in Part V) on the immediate steps necessary for the restoration of higher education facilities in Hong Kong itself. Such action on these emergency proposals as has been possible without prejudice to the major decisions on the ultimate fate of the University has already been taken. Further action, which is becoming increasingly urgent, cannot be taken until a decision is made on our main recommendation.
Part II. Argument in support of the recommendation. ORIGIN AND PRESENT POSITION OF UNIVERSITY.
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8. The University of Hong Kong was created in 1911 mainly by the efforts of the then Governor, Sir F. D. (later Lord) Lugard. It incorporated the existing College of Medicine, which had been founded in 1886 by Sir Patrick Manson and Sir James Cantlie. The purposes of the University were defined in the Ordinance of 30th March, 1911, as the promotion of Arts, Science and Learning, the provision of higher education, the conferring of degrees, the development and formation of the character of students of all races, nationalities and creeds, and the maintenance of good understanding
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