TNAG-0177-FCO40-213-Proposed-Polytechnic-1969 — Page 54

Mr. Godden

Reference..

Mimislin

(26)

The Hon. F. Y. Tang, Chairman of the Hong Kong Polytechnic Planning Committee, and Mr. S. F. Bailey, Secretary of the PPC and of the University Grants Committee, requested a meeting with the Minister in view of his considerable interest in the Polytechnic project. This is intended to be a courtesy call, and will be preceded, on the previous afternoon, by a meeting with the Council for Technical Education and Training for Overseas Countries (TETOC).

2. The idea of a Polytechnic was put forward by the Governor in March 1967, with the dual objects of providing expanded technical and commercial training facilities and as a project to which HMG might contribute financially as a gesture of interest and goodwill. The University Grants Committee (Chairman: Mr. Herries) was first entrusted with the task of preparing plans on the basis that the insti- tution would be a higher technological institution of degree-giving status. But in talks between the UGC and the ODM in September, 1968 doubts were cast on the need for such an institution in the circum- stances of Hong Kong and on its role in relation to the Universities. After extensive study in Hong Kong (particularly by the Spence Committee on Higher Education) it was decided to go ahead with a further institution (to be called a "Polytechnic") offering higher vocational training at about the same level as the upper level of the existing Technical College and providing a similar, though not identical, range of courses. It was envisaged that the Polytechnic might eventually comprise the existing Technical College, suitably expanded and improved, and the new institution.

3. In May 1969 the Polytechnic Planning Committee was formally created (terms of reference are

Flag attached). Under Mr. Tang's forceful lead, it got

off to a rather shaky start: the Minister may wish to read attached copies of the Governor's letters of 26 July and 23 August.

Flags

&

2

It is understood that the meeting with TETOC will be mainly an informative discussion, with the FPC representatives seeking reassurance about such matters as UK support and staffing problems. Apparently some Hong Kong officials have doubts about whether suitably qualified staff of high calibre will be easy to come by. Messrs. Tang and Bailey will be able to inform the Minister of the outcome of the talks with TETOC, and by then they may have a clearer idea of the problems before them.

5. If the question of financial assistance from HMG is raised, it will be necessary to maintain a completely non-committal line. The ODM in their talks with the UGC last year made it fairly clear that in their view the most Hong Kong could expect would be a token contribution to the project from funds allocated to Higher and Technical Education.

/ Judging...