A New Era Begins 1975-78

I Continuity : The Enduring Goals of The Chinese University Distinctive Objectives While the most important events of the quadrennium covered by this Report concern institutional change, we must not lose sight of the force for continuity exerted by the enduring goals and values of The Chinese University. It is important, therefore, that we reaffirm at the very beginning of this Report those general and distinctive objectives which have shaped the development of The Chinese University and which give it a special character and role among institutions of higher education. CUHK's Special Role The Chinese University, like all universities, exists to serve the needs of its commun i t y—Hong Kong. From this unique bi-cultural society of East-West interdependence, The Chinese University derives both its conventional objectives and its distinctive educational mission. From the beginning, The Chinese University was expected to play a special role in Hong Kong, as evidenced by the remarks of the Chancellor, Sir David Trench, at the installation of the first Vice-Chancellor, 9th September, 1964. The Chancellor noted that Hong Kong now had two universities, but asserted that the two institutions would not be alike, that, instead, they “w i ll be complementary to one another", and that “their duality will suit Hong Kong's needs and nature". The first fifteen years of The Chinese University may be characterized as a continuing effort to realize and to institutionalize that special role. A Modern University The first set of objectives concern organization and function, and constitute the general goal of The Chinese University, defining it as a “modern university" in the current meaning of that term. The Chinese University has emerged as a complex organization whose basic functions are traditionally described as instruction, research, and public service. At the undergraduate level its various units offer instruction in the humanities and the arts, in the natural sciences and mathematics, in the social sciences, and in such professional fields as education, business administration, electronics, government and public administration, journalism and communication, and social work. Through its Graduate School it offers advanced degree programmes both in basic fields of knowledge, and in some of the professional studies mentioned above. Similarly, as a modem university, The Chinese University contributes to the advancement of knowledge through research, basic and applied. This institutional responsibility is encouraged and facilitated 11