Vice-Chancellor's Report 1990-93

and bursaries, construction of buildings and facilities, college activities and research programmes. In recent years, major donations have been obtained to endow v i s i t i ng professorship/fellowship schemes, set up designated research and development funds, and provide seed money for research institutes/ centres before they can compete for external research grants, research contracts and further donations. Donation is a visible form of participation in the University's activities and development by its patrons, alumni, parents of students, friends, corporations and community concerned groups. It is a clear demonstration of public recognition and support for the University and its programmes. It enables the University to pursue developments over and above UPGC- approved targets, and launch innovative programmes not readily supported by public funds or before regular private incomes can be generated. Substantial endowment funds also help to generate steady and reliable income to supplement the revenues for a major sector of the University's activities. Listed in appendix 5 of this report are some examples of the donations from various friends of the University over the last three years, showing the range and diversity of the support we received. University Colleagues Last but not least, I owe all my fellow colleagues in the University for their trust in me and their cooperation throughout the past few years. Without their advice and full support, many of the tasks and plans reflecting societal needs, the aspirations of our staff and students, and my own conviction couldn't have been realized and implemented so smoothly and efficiently. C o n c l u d i n g R e m a r k s With an outstanding track record over the past three decades and with its foundation securely reinforced over the past three years, this university is poised for further challenges in the next three years, fully ready and willing to discharge its responsibilities to the community of Hong Kong and to the world. We have a hardworking group o f academics and students of excellent calibre. We have the time and space for each individual to excel. We have the resource to back the basic programmes and to reward excellence. A t the Council meeting in April 1993, I was asked to extend my term of office as vice- chancellor to 31st July 1996. I look forward to working with all staff and students of this university during the next critical three years when we shall strive to attain yet another level of excellence for this university. By then I shall have served the University for nine years and should be able to see the fruits borne of the labour over this period. Charles K. Kao Vice-Chancellor July 1993 43

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