TNAG-0054-FCO40-90-Proposal-for-a-Polytechnic-in-Hong-Kong-1968 — Page 25

Ref: CR 17/2041/67

Colonial Secretariat, Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong.

19th January, 1968.

Your Excellency,

On 19th October, 1967, Your Excellency referred some correspondence, which you had received from the Chairman of the University Grants Committee, to the Special Committee on Higher Education, concerning the proposal that there should be established in Hong Kong a polytechnic type institution to provide high level vocational education in technology and business studies.

My Committee has considered these proposals and we also had the benefit of a discussion with the Chairman of the University Grants Committee at which he elaborated on his Committee's proposals. I have to report that the Special Committee on Higher Education unanimously support the view expressed by the University Grants Committee that there appeared to be a need for an institution of this type and that steps should be taken as soon as possible to close the gap, referred to by that Committee, in the supply of trained personnel in these fields between those currently graduating from the two Universities and the Technical College.

In the Interim Report of the Special Committee on Higher Education submitted to Your Excellency on 28th October, 1966, the Special Committee concluded that in the future there would be a considerable short-fall of trained high-level manpower especially at the post-secondary level and that efforts should be made to expand existing institutions, in order to meet the Colony's future needs. Limited expansions have taken place, or are planned, in the Universities and the Technical College but the supply of graduates will still be inadequate. In any event, there will be a demand for many technologists and highly educated personnel for the commercial world whose training is not covered at present by courses at institutions in the Colony.

In giving its support for the proposal, my Committee wishes to make it clear that the establishment of a polytechnic, if it is decided to proceed with the matter, should not prejudice expansion of any existing institution of higher learning, nor any facilities for lower-level technical training nor the provision of pre-vocational training for primary school leavers. The needs for expansion of the Colony's existing institutions at these levels cannot be reduced by the establishment of a polytechnic.

I am,

Your Excellency's most obedient servant,

Sgd.

(A. Rodrigues) Chairman

Special Committee on Higher Education.

His Excellency Sir David Trench, KCMG, MC,

Government House,

Hong Kong.