TNAG-1738-FCO40-2454-Relations-between-Hong-Kong-and-Macau-1988 — Page 39

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University had reflected rather adversely on the Macao Government in that they had not started the University themselves (though they did give the land r the UEA). As a result relations were rather remote. The University had succeeded in that more foreign institutions were recognising its degrees and students from the UEA were doing well at post-graduate institutions. However it had gone through a perilous situation financially. It was now paying its way but not repaying any of the initial outlay. Meanwhile the Macao Government had seen a role for the University in the creation of a legacy of culture and language in Macao. The Government wanted to do their best in the next 12 years. They also needed to bring on Chinese people to fill places in the administration and the University could help in this. So the interests of the sponsors (to recoup their investment) and of the Government had drawn closer. As a result the Government had agreed to pay Ricci Island West patacas 130m for the University (not including the Open College operated from Hong Kong). However the Government would not have direct control. Ownership of the University would be vested in the Macao Foundation. The Governor was the Chairman of the Trustees of the Foundation and there was a Government representative (others included Stanley Ho). It was hoped that the Rector of the University (whose presence would be necessary when matters concerning the institution were to be discussed) would have a free hand in the day to day running of the University. It would become rather more public but not a state institution. There was potential for good in this situation but there might be difficulties also. There was a certain apprehension among some of the staff. More Portuguese would be used. A School of Portuguese Law would be established. At the moment English was the main language of the University, then Cantonese. Portuguese staff would be needed for the School of Law. the moment the majority of the expatriate staff were British (about 24; 18 in. Macao and six in Hong Kong administering the Open College course) and Americans. The University Secretary was British (Ken Topley) as was the Registrar (Ernie Field, formerly of the Open University in Britain) and two of the five College Principals (Prof Macmillan himself of University College, and Don Swift of the Open College). Two of the other Principals were American (George Hines, Graduate College, and Ray Rotherwell, Junior College). One Principal was Chinese (Ron Hsia, Polytechnic College). Prof Macmillan said the build-up of United States staff had been a result of the initiative of North American academics who offered themselves for any future appointments British academics were inclined to wait until specific jobs were advertised. Prof Macmillan said that the University had received assistance from the FRG, France and Japan.

There had been no assistance from Britain.

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7. I talked to the Rector, Prof Paul Lin, who arrived about a year ago. spent 15 years in China as a writer and scholar from 1949-62 and was Professor of International Law at Hua Chiao University. He then moved to Canada and taught Chinese and East Asian history at McGill University between 1965-82. Prof Lin said he thought the University, in addition to being important to Macao, could play a valuable role in respect of China. He thought China had set its sights on the acquisition of advanced Western technology without trying to understand the culture or the circumstances of the countries that had produced the technology. He had talked to Chinese leaders in Peking about what he termed "the missing intellectual dimension". He thought it important that something should be to broaden the outlook of key officials and managers. There were thousands of bright people from China studying overseas who would recognise that there was a missing dimension at home and might not wish to return or would be frustrated if they did. The UEA could do something by offering short courses in business administration to officials and managers. He wondered if there would be any British interest in this, perhaps through the provision of a Chinese speaker with a knowledge of East and West.

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