January ii, 1900] 



NATURE 



261 



and so economise funds and resources. It is undoubtedly clear 

 that certain branches of research must be conducted away from 

 the central institution. But the Conference are of opinion that 

 that institution should be gradually strengthened as circum- 

 stances permit. 



The Conference also concurred fully in the view accepted by 

 the Provisional Committee that certain parts of the scheme 

 should be first carried out, and that the rest should follow as 

 funds permit. They concurred in giving preference to Parts I. 

 (Scientific and Technical) and II. (Medical) and leaving Part 

 III. (Philosophical and Educational) to follow, though they 

 were of opinion that the promoters of the scheme and its govern- 

 ing body ought to keep in view the scheme in its entirety. 

 They were also of opinion that the scheme of studies and of 

 subjects should be stated in the most general terms, and that pro- 

 visions should be made for its revision from time to time so as to 

 leavethe authoritiesinchargeof the work as free a hand as possible 

 in taking up subjects that seemed specially at any time to demand 

 attention, and in conforming to the progress of science. In 

 regard to bacteriology, they were quite prepared to postpone 

 action, both because there are many subjects to which the funds 

 may at the first be at least as usefully applied, and also because 

 they understood that the Government of India are taking such 

 action as seems at present necessary in regard to this subject. 

 They think that probably the best application of their funds to 

 this subject, for the present at least, will be the provision of 

 studentships in the Government institutions. 



The Conference considered the question of the site of the 

 central institution. It seemed to them that of all the sites 

 named the choice lay between Bombay and Bangalore. In regard 

 to the former the main considerations were (i) the fact that it 

 is the home of the founder (who, however, rather favours Ban- 

 galore) ; (2) that it is a great centre of commercial and industrial 

 activity ; (3) that it is easy of access from all parts of India and 

 from England ; and (4) that a strong governing body could be 

 easily obtained there. On the other hand, the climate, though 

 not altogether unfavourable, is not bracing, and is injurious to 

 machinery and apparatus. It would not be so favourably 

 regarded by Europeans as Bangalore, and in Bombay land is not 

 available in sufficient quantity. If (as is believed) special con- 

 cessions in respect to site, and aid in regard to the scheme 

 generally, be made in Bangalore on condition of the institution 

 being there, the Conference would recommend that site. 



The Conference considered the name or title of the institution. 

 There was a strong opinion in favour of the title " Institute " as 

 more suitable than " University " to the objects in view. But 

 in deference to the views of Mr. Tata, and in consideration of 

 the sentiment of the educated community of India, the Con- 

 ference decided that it was expedient to adopt the well-known 

 title of " University." They, therefore, decided to recommend 

 that the institution be styled "The Indian University of 

 Research." They were, however, of opinion that it should 

 maintain its post graduate character, and that it should, there- 

 fore, grant not degrees but fellowships. 



The Conference are unanimously of opinion that there is 

 great need for such an institution as has been indicated ; that 

 there is no reasonable ground for doubt that its work would be 

 successful ; that it would exercise a most beneficial influence on 

 higher education and on the development of the resources of 

 the country ; and they strongly recommend it to the sympathy 

 and support of the Government of India. They trust the 

 Government of India will express their favourable opinion on 

 the scheme, and give the promise of necessary legislation to 

 be carried out as soon as it is matured, so that an appeal may 

 Ije made to the public for funds, and that the details of the 

 scheme may be definitely settled. 



The Conference then proceeded to revise the Draft Bill and 

 determined to recommend the Draft Bill as revised to the 

 Government of India for publication. And at the request of 

 Mr. Tata they resolved to ask the Government of India to 

 nominate some officer to consult with him about the transfer of 

 the property with which he proposed to endow the University. 



The Gazette of India gives the following outline ol the Tata I 

 University scheme :— It is proposed to found an institution 

 which shall be or correspond to a teaching University for India, 

 its primary aim being to teach, not to examine. Diplomas, 

 therefore, will be conferred on those who have completed a 

 certain course of higher education. This work of high -r m>truc- 

 tion will be conducted on prmciples followed now in Europe — 

 t* .;'. in German Seminaria, -French Conferences, and English and 



NO. 1576, VOL. 61] 



American Research Classes. These courses will be the be- 

 ginning of a purely specialist training. In order not to interfere 

 with the existing agencies, the new institution will take up 

 teaching where Colleges and existing Universities leave off. 

 The new courses will be post graduate. The new specialist 

 courses, which are post-graduate,, will naturally be professional 

 and technical, rather than simply literal school sanitary and 

 science practice. For qualified medical men a school of peda- 

 gogics for those intending to be higher secondary teachers 

 (inspectors, head-masters, &c.), and a school lor higher studies, 

 are some of the obvious directions of the development. It is 

 not proposed to take all these up at once. The order in which 

 they may be proceeded with will be best arranged by the com- 

 mittee. It is not intended to cut off the post-graduate students 

 from education in Europe. It is contemplated to .select the 

 best for further training in Europe or America, witha view to their 

 future return to this country. It will be necessary to make ample 

 provision for scholarships and fellowships, both for the students 

 in the institution and for those who proceed from it to Europe 

 or America. The development of a scheme so complete must 

 entail a vast capital annual expenditure, the construction of 

 libraries, laboratories and museums, and the invitation to 

 specialists to teach and prosecute research. All this must 

 require large sums of money. A committee has been formed 

 to secure the necessary financial support by making a general 

 appeal for funds to take the preliminary steps in connection with 

 the scheme, and to obtain a short legislative enactment enabling 

 the institute to hold property. 



His Excellency the Governor, the Chancellor of the Univer- 

 sity of Bombay, has kindly consented to let it be known that 

 the proposed scheme has his personal approval and sympathy. 



The Government of India accept the recommendations of the 

 Conference, and they desire to place on record their apprecia- 

 tion of the generosity and public spirit displayed by Mr. J. N. 

 Tata in making his munificent offer of an endowment for the 

 proposed University of Research. They are confident that the 

 proposed University will meet a great need, and will contribute 

 to the advancement of higher education and the development of 

 the resources of the country. They will be ready to proceed ta 

 legislation as soon as the scheme has been matured in all its 

 details. They wish the undertaking every success. In accord- 

 ance with the request made by the Conference, the Government 

 oflndia have requested the Government of Bombay to nominate 

 an officer to arrange with Mr. J. N. Tata for the transfer of the 

 property with which he proposes to endow the University. 



UN/ VERS/ TY AND EDUCA TIONA L 

 INTELLIGENCE. 



Dr. F. Kohi.rausch, president of the physikalischtech- 

 nischen Reichsanstalt, has been appointed honorary professor of 

 physics at Berlin. 



Mr. G. F. Hardcastle, senior assistant in the chemical 

 department of the Technical College, Huddersfield, has been 

 appoimed instructor in dyeing, and assistant in chemistry, at the 

 Municipal Technical School, Leicester. 



The Annual General Meeting of the Association of Technical 

 Institutions will be held on Wednesday, January 24, at the 

 Mercers' Hall, London. The president (Earl Spencer, K.(i.) 

 will preside, and an address will be given by the president- 

 elect, Sir Swire Smith. 



A COURSE of fifteen lectures on organic chemistry will Ije 

 given at the Goldsmiths' In.slitute, New Cross, S. E., on Friday 

 evening.s, at 8.30. by Mr. W.J. Pope, commencing on January 1^ 

 Particular attention will be paid to the discussion of recent: 

 work and current views relating to organic chemistry. 



The University of Pennsylvania's free mu.seum of science anJ 

 art at Philadelphia, one of the late Dr William IVppei'.s. 

 cherished hopes, was, says Science, formally opened in the 

 presence of several thousand people on December 20 Im- 

 mediately following the presentation to the board of tiuslees of 

 the museum, a bronze statue of the laic Dr. Pepper, ihe gift of 

 friends, was unveiled. Mrs. Pepper, ihe widow ot Dr. Pepper, 

 has presented to the university liuMres, as her memorwl 10 the 

 memory of her husband, a gilt ol 50,0-0 dollars, as a fund ti> 

 carry on the work started by Dr. Pepper. 



