ENG-1956 — Page 151

EDUCATION

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Higher Education. The idea of establishing a University in Hong Kong was first elaborated in a local newspaper in 1905. It was taken up by the late Lord Lugard when he became Governor of the Colony, and through his efforts and leadership the University of Hong Kong was incorporated as an independent body under the University Ordinance of 1911. With it was amalgamated the Hong Kong College of Medicine which had been in existence since 1887.

By 1913 the Faculties of Medicine and Engineering were functioning steadily. The Faculty of Arts was established in the same year, but there was no Faculty of Science until 1938, pure Science subjects meanwhile being taught in the Faculty of Arts. The Faculty of Architecture was instituted in September 1951 and is the first of its kind in Far Eastern Universities. There is now also an Institute of Oriental Studies, which includes in its objects the promotion of interest in such studies and of goodwill between the peoples of East and West.

Beginning its life largely with financial assistance from generous friends and benefactors, the University since 1920 has been largely supported by recurrent and non-recurrent grants made annually by Government. Grants of Crown land have also been made from time to time, and the University estate now covers an area of 36 acres.

Minimum qualification for entry to undergraduate courses is gained through the Matriculation Examination, which is similar in type and standard to the General Certificate of Education Examinations conducted by the Universities of the United Kingdom. Most of the undergraduates are Chinese but many other races are represented, particularly from South East Asia. The total number (including graduate students) in October 1956 was 886, of whom about one-quarter are women. 157 students are receiving financial aid, in the form of scholarships or bursaries.

The number of teaching staff, from demonstrators upward, is 174. Of these over half are locally recruited.