UA-R-GC-1914-01-01-1925-11-13_Page-018

President's Report-11. 273 will reflect European Life increasingly instead of embarking on a career of true self-determination, genuinely adapted to her own nature and conditions. (c) Further Development of the University: It seems almost presumptuous to discuss further development in the face of the heavy responsibilities we now carry and yet it would be fatal to settle down to the departments we now have as though they were sufficient. Our program has always contemplated a University as necessary to an adequate Christian influence at the Brdn Center of Islam. We must always press forward. To be sure we must set limits upon what we can attempt with existing resources, but we need ever to be presenting the urgent need for expansion just as soon as funds become available. Who knows around what corner the financial provision and the provison of personnel will be found stored up for the next stage in the University program. These remarks may properly preface my outline of the need and importance of an early development of a Teacher Training School in connection with the University . Two personalities singularly qualified to share in this work are at hand. Mr. Galt, it will be remembered, originally came to Egypt to help develop such a department. He will be in America during the corning year adding further to his former course of study in Teachers College at Columbia. His past experience in the College at Cairo has been invaluable. The other man is Amir Effendi, an Egyptian, who was given a year of study at Columbia during 1923- 24 and is keen on the adaptation of American educational methods to conditions in Egypt. It would seem wise to plan, if possible, for a preliminary night course on Education, for the year when Mr. Galt returns to Egypt. Such a course would appeal to teachers now in service. Then by 1927-28 this course could become a day course covering a full year. Still later it would be extended to a twoyear course. This proposal is supported by two considerations: Egypt is undoubtedly on the verge of a considerable enlargement of her national educational system. Teachers are going to be required. It is a splendid opportunity to serve a gre:: t national program. Furthermore, experience shows that the most strategic point to cover in a nation's life, if wide influence is desired, is to establish Teacher Training schools. For every teacher thus influenced, hundreds of pupils will be influenced. Of all missionary methods, it is the most penetrating and pervasive in its influence upon the life of a nation. I should estimate $100,000 as a generous provision distributed over the first five years (1926-31) of the development of such a department. The whole project might be made the subject of a special appeal such as was made two years ago to the J. B. Finley Fund, when the possibilities of this fund were first discovered. In conclusion, I wish again to express uy appreciation and that of my associates to the Trustees for their loyal support of the work of the University. In particular I wish to express my appreciation of the devoted work done by Mr. Lum at the Philadelphia office. Few can realize how much his businesslike ,methods, his frank and candid spirit, his initiative and resourcefulness and his capacity for fndship have ministered to the efficiency of the work at Cairo and the success of the University enterprise. I remain, Very sincerely yours, CHARLES R. WATSON, President