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itutions of its kind in the Asia Pacific Region. Such a relationship would also offer considerable opportunities for collaborative research with scientific institutions in the UK and with British industry with which the project would be jointly funded. There should be no problem in identifying an area of research with which the British: donation could be associated.
7.
Funding would need to be provide initially for a five year development period, with some continuing recurrent support thereafter, depending on success in attracting private sector donors. While buildings and staff salaries (at normal rates) would be provided by the Hong Kong Government, the proposed endowment would cover the cost of equipment, additional facilities in the buildings, the provision of research funds and the topping up of salaries to attract the highest quality candidates.
In
This project is the one preferred by the Governor of Hong Kong but is also the most expensive. The Council estimate that set-up costs for a research centre could range from £3m-£5a in the business studies field where less elaborate facilities and equipment are required to 33m-£10m in a scientific field. The endowment of a research centre in a high technology field offering good prospects for commercial spin-off would be at the upper end of this range. our judgement, endorsed by Science, Energy and Nuclear Department, chis is what we should go for. In presenting such a project, however, we would have to make clear that the funds had not been found from a compensating reduction in domestic S and T expenditure. Otherwise we might face criticism from the UK scientific lobby that the money should have been spent in the UK.
3.
Support for Professional training in Hong Kong
Its
9. This proposal has the advantage of being relatively cheap. objective would be to stem the outflow of young professionals leaving the territory by providing improved training opportunities in Hong Kong's own institutions. It would also help to strengthen links with professional bodies in this country. However, such a scheme would have a much lower profile than the other proposals. are also doubtful whether British funding for a series of seminars,
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