Vice-Chancellor's Report 1978-82

greatest challenge in the last. This is not for want of talents or dedication or resources, but simply because it is a creative function which calls for search and trial rather than diligent adaptation of experience already gained elsewhere. Thus, to put it very simply, during the last four years, that is from 1978 to 1982 ， the University had been attempting to consolidate its foundation on the one hand, and to search for new directions on the other. It is my intention to record in this Report, in relatively concise form, the endeavours my colleagues and I have made in meeting these challenges, leaving concrete statistical data and other details to the Appendices, which form an integral part of the permanent record of the University. Undoubtedly, the most important task the University faced during the present period was the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine, which had been long in its preparation. An initial problem was to seek a mode of student intake consistent with the tradition and overall academic structure of the University, which was at the same time acceptable to the Medical Academic Advisory Committee and the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee, which were anxious that the University should actively tap talented students who had been channelled into the two-year stream of Sixth Form education. This caused considerable discussion, but fortunately it was possible, with the cooperation and goodwill of all the parties concerned, to solve the problem harmoniously within the period under review. Another challenge was for the Faculty of Medicine to recruit a large number of staff of high calibre within a relatively short period. Due to the enthusiasm and untiring effort of many colleagues, in particular Professor G.H. Choa, the Dean, Professor L.B. Thrower, then Dean of the Faculty of Science, and the Chairman, Sir Wi l l i am Trethowan, and members of the Medical Academic Advisory Committee, this major exercise had been carried out with exceptional smoothness. A t the end of the period covered, there were already 33 teaching staff including seven chairs in post at the Faculty, and the task was largely accomplished. While it would be yet a few years before the first batch of doctors graduate from the University, it is perhaps not overly optimistic to say at this point that the Faculty has indeed made a good start and overcome quite a number of teething problems. Another major thrust in this period was the introduction of the undergraduate Part-time Degree Programmes. In ready response 4