Convocation Addresses of the Universities of Bombay and Madras/Part 1/Sir James Fergusson, Bart., K.C.M.G., D.C.L. (Twentieth Convocation)
TWENTIETH CONVOCATION.
(By Sir James Fergusson, Bart., K.C.M.G., D.C.L.)
Mr. Vice-Chancellor and Gentlemen of the Senate,—I cannot preside on this occasion—my first opportunity since assuming the Government of this Presidency—in the place filled by so many eminent predecessors, without expressing my earnest desire that, in so far as my influence extends, this University may not suffer from any deficiencies of mine. It is now just twelve years since I, a traveller passing through Bombay, took part as a spectator in the interesting ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of this splendid hall. That stone was laid by the Earl of Mayo, who was a most revered friend of mine, and whose untimely end is fresh in our recollections. I also met here on that occasion the respected Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Wilson, who bears a household name in Bombay, and many others whose careers are now closed and whose places inexorable fate has rendered vacant for others. On such an occasion as this we cannot help calling to mind those who have founded and maintained this institution; and we must hope that, by the aid of kind Providence, we may be enabled rightly to perform the important duties devolving upon us. I am glad, indeed, to know that since that day twelve years ago—which marks a point just half-way from the foundation of the University to the present time—it has so largely developed and prospered. I am glad to see so many young men obtaining the degrees which have just been conferred, because it shows that so many of our youth prize that hall-mark—if I may so term it—of the quality of their education which this University bestows. I have heard how earnestly our youths are availing themselves of the educational advantages extended to them, and I earnestly hope that the young men whom we see to-day obtaining the honoured prizes of a degree in this University, may find in it the beginning of a long and useful career. It has been one of the recent duties of the Government to add to the roll of Fellows nineteen other names. Let me say that my colleagues and myself have selected those names with no regard to race or creed, but with sole reference to educational eminence and their services in the cause of education, which I think alone should entitle citizens to that distinction.
Now, gentlemen, I cannot but pause for a few moments Features of the report. to note one or two features in the report just read, which strike me as remarkable. In the first place, in noting the results of Matriculation Examination, I find that only about one-third of the candidates who presented themselves were successful in passing. Well, I believe that that rather marks the high standard required by this University than the insufficient preparation which these candidates have received; and I am glad to observe by reading the curriculum laid down for each class that a really high standard is required by this University. But I think, and must remark, that the University does well so to maintain its standard, because it will incite the educational institutions affiliated to the University to neglect no means to prepare their candidates, so that in future a larger number may pass. At the First Examination in Arts out of 150 candidates, one-half passed; in the "Previous" or Preliminary Examination, two-fifths, and for the degree of Bachelor of Arts one-third passed successfully. I have some further remarks to make on this part of the programme. In the first place I regret to observe that so few of the Mussalman community have appeared in these examinations. I think it is much to be deplored that members of a community which has undoubtedly in previous ages produced many learned men should not be so prominent as their fellow-subjects here in taking advantage of the modern education provided so freely for them. I know that the leading members of that community are sensitive and sensible of this defect, and I am glad to say that an effort has been made to establish a school, which, I trust, will send many pupils in future to our Colleges and graduates to this University. This school has already achieved a great success. In the month of September, through the agency of leading Mussalman gentlemen, subscriptions amounting to Rs. 40,000 were raised by their friends for the establishment of this school; Government most gladly supplemented the amount raised by a regular subsidy; and already the school contains 370 students. I have to remark that in the report this year it is stated that for the first time there has been no addition to the endowments of the University; but I am glad to say that within the last few days there has been a scholarship founded by Mr. Jairazbhoy Peerbhoy, a Mussalman gentleman of this city, for Mussalman candidates obtaining the greatest number of marks in the Matriculation Examination, enabling them to prosecute their studies for at least one year in Bombay, or to proceed to England for that purpose.
Well, gentlemen, this is a beginning; let us hope that it will soon bear great fruits.
The next point which I desire to notice is the little progress The study of Science. which has been made in the scientific branch of the studies qualifying for the Bachelor of Science degree. I find that for the first examination for that degree only two candidates presented themselves this year, and those were from the Elphinstone College. I am glad to say both passed. But if we consider what class of teaching this scientific degree is intended to encourage, I think we may well hope that greater advantage will be taken of it; and greater encouragement given to it by the public. I know how great an interest in these examinations my honoured predecessor took; I know how much he impresses upon you the great advantage the community would derive by the promotion of a knowledge of scientific subjects, and I would venture on this occasion to say a few words to supplement what he has said in earlier times, and impress it still more earnestly on your attention. What does the study of science mean? Well, it means that in the operations of life in which we seek to turn to account the gifts of Divine Providence, we should be guided by the skill which rises out of knowledge, rather than by haphazard work or groping in the dark. It is not that we should work upon theory rather than common-sense and practice, but it means that we should ground our theory and practice upon ascertained laws. It means that instead of going on blindly in the path that our fathers trod, or adopting one invention or another at haphazard, we should from our practical knowledge comprehend them and judge of their right application. It means that we should turn to good account not only the talents that are given us, but the liberal gifts of Providence by which we are surrounded. In days past, when this great country was separated from the rest of the world by a waste of waters, communications were slow, and when it was dependent upon itself and its people for its supplies of manufactured material, rude and simple inventions might suffice to utilize the products of the land. I do not for a moment forget the great knowledge of the science of beauty possessed by many of the inhabitants of the country, and marvellous perfection to which certain arts were carried; but I mean in the prosecution of the industries which form the main staples of this country the arts were rude and simple, and are not calculated to compete in the present day with the science and inventions of the world. The wonderful development of steam, which has rendered the sea not a barrier but a bridge to connect one land with another, has borne in upon us the manufactures of other countries to which all the inventions of science have been applied, so that they are produced with marvellous cheapness, and compete, nay, almost exclude, the simple manufactures of our people. Well, what is the moral, what is the policy to be followed under circumstances to which that is but one illustration? Not, surely, that we should tax the people of the country to maintain their industries in their own rude, extensive, and therefore expensive, form, but that we should bring and apply to the industries of the country the science which has cheapened production and produced prosperity elsewhere. The Natives of this country are surely not less capable of learning, their intellects are not less subtle, their ability to acquire knowledge not less keen than those of their brethren in the West. Sure I am that if they embraced the advantages of modern inventions they would compete successfully with the manufactures of any part of the world. It is in the right application—the prudent application of invention which are sufficiently numerous, that scientific education will be most profitably directed. And this is but one illustration of the benefits to be derived from a study of science, because there is, as you know well, in the study of the laws of gravitation, in the right estimation of the powers by which we are surrounded, in the knowledge of the component parts of the soil, in the improvement of agriculture, and in the knowledge of chemistry, botany , and so forth, abundant exercise for inventive genius and scientific success, which cannot fail to be profitable if we only rightly turn our attention to these subjects. Again, the science of astronomy will do much to wipe away the superstition which the best of the Natives of this country deplore as much as we do, to teach the people that the heavenly bodies move in a wonderful way indeed, but do not exercise malign influences on man^s existence. In trying to do away with superstition we do not want to interfere with any man's religion, but simply to teach those truths which we are all seeking.
You can profit by many branches of education, because in our colleges we have been aided and equipped by funds liberally given by beneficent persons, scholarships and fellowships are endowed, and professors are paid, partially indeed by the State, but in the largest proportion by private benefactions. I find in the Elphinstone College, which, I suppose, occupies the most prominent place amongst our colleges, there are eight well-paid professors of art and other branches, but for physical science there is but one, and he is not paid so highly as the others. Well, that shows that the sinews of war are wanted; and backing up, as I do most earnestly, the appeal not made for the first time, believe that we shall not have to appeal in vain. I notice also in the report that an increasing number of students are coming up for examination from the Provincial Colleges.
Now, gentlemen, it is not to-day, when 1 am still at the Indians' love of their country. commencement of my term of office, that I should attempt to express matured opinions upon the education of this Presidency, the education conducted under the auspices of this University; but the time will come, I hope, when I shall render myself better acquainted with every part of the Presidency. You can readily understand that the months which have passed since my arrival have been crowded with business, and occupied in gaining information of every kind, so that hardly upon any point can I attempt to speak with authority, for I am still a learner; but I assure you I am not supine or insensible to the great responsibilities involved, especially in the spread of education. We have done much, but we have still more to do, and problems are arising every day which require the earnest attention of the wisest to solve, if the future is to be turned to good account, and if we do our bounden duty by the people of India. But relying upon the Providence which has so greatly blessed British influence here, which has given such a wonderful impulse to the country, and promoted the best interests of the people in this last half century at least, we may look forward hopefully to the results of this and kindred institutions in raising the character and aims of the people, and in equipping many for the work of life, of whose knowledge, of whose aspiration we need not be jealous, but in whose love of country we should find our best ally.