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RECORD OF MEETING BETWEEN DR PETER CAREY ( EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ASIAN STUDIES CENTRE), DR JOHN VILLIERS (DIRECTOR OF BRITISH INSITUTE IN SOUTH-EAST ASIA) AND MR ADAMS, 10 JANUARY 1986
He and
1. Dr Villiers began by putting the case for a South-East Asian Studies Centre in Oxford. He pointed out that increases in fees for overseas students and a reduction in educational resources over recent years had particularly affected students from South-East Asia who wished to come to Britain to study. He also drew attention to the imminent closure of his own institution, the British Institute in South-East Asia, and what this would mean for educational contact between Britain and the region. Dr Carey spoke of his attempts to raise funds for the proposed Centre. Dr Villiers visited Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines between 23 September and 10 October 1985, seeking to interest businesses, educational foundations, and governments in the project. There appeared to have been a good deal of support expressed for the venture, though less from business than Dr Carey had anticipated, but he had so far not received any firm promises of financial backing. Dr Carey seemed particularly dsiappointed at the response of the British business community in Malaysia.
2. Brunei was discussed at some length since Dr Carey hoped that the Sultan might be induced to provide a substantial part of the £500,000 necessary to get the project fully under way. Dr Carey said that he had been particularly encouraged by the response of Lim Jock Seng, number three in the Brunei MFA, but suggested that Mr Lim's enthusiasm might have outrun what was practically possible. Dr Carey had recently attempted to invite the Sultan of Brunei to Oxford for lunch with the Vice-Chancellor and other distinguished VIPs, but had been rather sharply put off by the Brunei High Commission in London. It was recognised that the Sultan had a number of worthy
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