A New Era Begins 1975-78

X I The Mountain Is Transformed: The Campus Perhaps the campus of the University, especially the physical development programme o f the last four years, tell s the story of the University's growth more eloquently and vividly than anything else. People who once travelled past the empty and bare plots o f mountains and rocks at the campus site i n 1968 and then returned to Hong Kong in 1978 would not believe their eyes when they saw a ne w and complete university community on the same barren site. The spectacular development of the last four years proceeded despite the fact that Hong Kong was affected by the world-wide recession. Its continuing progress during this period was due as much to the contributions o f private donors as to Government support. We must not forget, of course, that buildings are not mere "bricks and mortar", but expressions o f particular educational goals and functions. There is a Chinese saying: “Th e mountain and the sea are moved" (移山倒海 ) t o describe the ability of man t o overcome nature. The original site of the campus was a mountainous tract used by the Government to remove rocks and soil to fill th e gigantic Plover Cove Dam project. The University chose it because it was contiguous to Chun g Chi College and its 273 acres allowed room for future expansion. A loo k at the two photos of the campus taken at 1968 an d 1978 dramatically reveals the spectacular transformation. A barren lot of rocks and soil has now become a magnificent campu s dotted w i th groups o f buildings, surrounded by trees, which remain green in the mild winter weather. The flowers bloom all the year round. It has no w virtually become a public park ， attracting thousands of visitors during weekends. The Campus Planning and Building Committee and its Chairman and the University Architect are to be warmly commended for creating and carrying out the master plan. The Central Activities Complex The construction history of th e Central Activities Complex on the middle level along the Mall provides a significant example of the University's determination to forge ahead and the timely assistance of private individuals in continuing to support the campus development during periods of economic stringency. The completion o f the Central Activities Complex was essential to the implementation of the integration of various other disciplines other than the Faculty of Science. The University has, therefore, decided t o move forward in spite of the world-wide recession. 85