8
14. We are thus of opinion that neither the present needs of Hong Kong itself, nor the requirements of students in other British territories in the Far East, nor the two together, constitute sufficient justification for the great effort required and the heavy burden on local resources entailed in the establishment of a full university on a permanent basis. Further we are of opinion that to establish an institution of less than university standard and to call it a univer- sity would be seriously damaging to British prestige. Unless, therefore, there are different reasons for restoring a full university, we feel that we cannot recommend the continuation of the University of Hong Kong.
THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ASSISTING ANGLO-CHINESE UNDERSTANDING. 15. The more deeply we have studied the University's past and the present situation, the
impressed more
we have become with the need and opportunity for a University in Hong Kong which could serve the purpose originally envisaged for it by Lord Lugard namely the maintenance of good understanding with the neighbouring country of China." The Foreign Office in 1939-recorded its opinion that the University is a valuable instru- ment for propagating British ideals and spreading British influence in China, and that it should be given all the support and assistance possible in increasing its usefulness in this respect." During the war, in February, 1945, the Colonial Office expressed to the Far Eastern Committee set up by the War Cabinet its conviction that "from the chaos of war an opportunity has arisen which can be used to establish the University finally on lines intended by its founder and prove it to be an important practical contribution to Anglo- Chinese goodwill and understanding in the future." In August, 1945, the chief representative in China of the British Council, commenting on the function which the University could perform in cementing close cultural whatever the future exten- relations and friendship with China, stated that
M
E
(
sion of the activities of the British Council in China, it is probably true to say that Hong Kong University is, potentially, the largest single cultural ' contribution to Chinese reconstruction which Great Britain is capable of con- tributing." We endorse these opinions, the force of which has been increased by developments since the end of hostilities.
RELEVANCE OF A UNIVERSITY AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR THIS PURPOSE. 16. A university, by the freedom of its discussions, by the disinterested character of its pursuit of 'knowledge, by the width of its interests, is a peculiarly fitting instrument to represent the cultural heritage and activities of Great Britain. As a community of students devoted to the advancement of learning it is a living thing, in the growth and adaptation of which all associated with it can share. The profound and permanent effect it has on its members, whether teachers or taught, is demonstrated in all countries by the loyalty of its graduates. The depth and intimacy of understanding. though not necessarily agreement, among those of differing classes, creeds and races that comes from living together for a period of years with the common purpose of learning for its own sake, in all the informality of debate and mutual education which constitutes the life of a university, is as great As an instrument for "the main- as can be provided by any other means. tenance of good understanding " between the British and Chinese peoples, a university has immense potentiality.
17. Equally with the function of making British standards and scholarship accessible to China, a university in Hong Kong could contribute to the understanding of China by Great Britain. The need for such understanding requires no emphasis. The appropriateness of a university, situated at the
9
134
chief point of direct contact between the two cultures, as a vehicle for such mutual interpretation and study also requires no elaborate advocacy; it is continuous, adaptable, unofficial. Further, if it creates a condition of mutual confidence and respect, it can provide opportunities for truly informed appreciations of Chinese developments in all spheres.
带着
18. As an institution for the maintenance of good understanding," a university does not prejudice or conflict with other forms of relationship between the two countries--governmental, commercial, or cultural. Indeed in most instances it reinforces them. We are obviously not competent to suggest or to evaluate other methods of contributing to the maintenance of good understanding," but, in our opinion, the development of a first-class university at Hong Kong is likely to be the most effective in the intellectual field. A scheme of scholarships for Chinese undergraduates students to United Kingdom universities would expose them to an alien atmosphere before they were sufficiently mature fully to understand or profit from it. The creation of a new university under British inspiration within China itself is politically impossible. The institution of special Chairs and departments within existing Chinese universities would not provide the same flexibility and balanced representation as a full university. Exchange professorships, visiting lectureships, and similar arrangements are more partial in their effect and would not achieve the continuous intimacy of a university. However valuable some of such developments might be as complementary to a univer- sity at Hong Kong they cannot be substitutes for it.
REASONS FOR PAST FAILURE TO SERVE THIS PURPOSE.
19. Since this ideal had been proclaimed as one of the original aims of the existing Hong Kong University, we inquired to what extent it had been realized and whether the experience of the University disclosed reasons why the project had not been more wholly successful. The University has con- tributed usefully to Anglo-Chinese relations. In the period 1928-38, approxi- mately 30 per cent. of its students came from China, and the standard of its professional training, particularly of doctors, teachers of English, and engineers, was highly respected. Nevertheless, on the evidence before us, we concluded that it had not succeeded in its broad purpose for three main reasons-its poverty, its isolation and competition from Chinese universities. In analysing these features of the past, we have tried to assess how far they would prevent the fulfilment of the broad purpose in the future.
(a) Poverty.
20. Without doubt the inadequate financing of the University was the chief cause of its weakness. It experienced a succession of financial crises, could not plan boldly for its long-term and balanced development, and was consistently understaffed. With a staff over-burdened with teaching duties and with insufficient resources, it could not become a centre of research worthily representing university standards and attracting students and scholars to itself as a centre of learning. In its poverty, it could not provide a system of scholarships to enable students from China to come to Hong Kong or to meet the higher costs of living incidental to the University's position as part of a different economy. Apart from an endowment con- tribution in its earliest days from Canton and, for a short time, scholarships from certain Provinces of China, nearly the full burden of financial support fell on local government resources. At the instance of the British Govern- ment the University received £260,000 out of the Boxer Indemnity Fund and three medical chairs were partly endowed by the Rockefeller Founda- tion. These two gifts together comprised almost the whole of its capital
52226
A 4
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.