CO129-610-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 15-2-1949 - 7-2-1950 — Page 100

1

SECRET

(Brief prepared for W. Rees. Willining.

vint

to Hung Kang, Oct. 1949

96

HOX KUNG

245 UNIVERSITY

•

hen the University was founded in 1911 by Sir P.D. (inter Lord)

Lugard, it was envisaged as a full-scale projection of British culture

in the Far vast, drering its students from all over the region; in

particular, of course, from China. This role, to which the needs of Hong

Kong itself would be largely subordinato, has boon referred to as the "Lagard

function" of the Iniversity.

2.

The ideal has never been realised. Up to 1941, the University,

while it did drew many students from outside the Colony, was too starved for funds to become a University fully worthy of the name; and in 1946,

whon its reconstitution after the Japanese occupation was being considered,

the Secretary of State set up a Committee to consider whether or not the

University should be revived, and, if so, what policy should be followed.

3. The Committee's main conclusion was that the University should

be reconstituted on an expanded scale so as to carry out its "Lugard

function"; and that, if this were not possible, it would be better for

British prestige to abolish it altogether than to permit it to continue

on its former inadequate scale.

ميا

Although the Foreign Office joined with us in an approach to the

Treasury for the considerable funds required to neke possible the

proposed expended role of the University, H.ILG.'s financial position in the

post-war years was held not to poradt this, and the proposal for an

expanded University sent into abeyance. It was, however, agreed that the

alternative recommendation of the Committee - to abolish the University

was unacceptable for a number of reasons, and in the financial settionent

of 1948 with Hong Kong, 1.M.G. offered a grant of 250,000 to the

University, to be used for 'rehabilitation and develoşment'.

5. Hong Kong have put forward proposals for using this grant, together with inter-related proposals for C.). and W. assistance. It is

proposed to invest M.M.G.'s grant in a short term liong Kong Government

loan repayable in annual instalments with interest over a period of 15

be used for recurrent cɔets;

/ $220,000

years,

ammal instalmenta