Annual Report 2004–05

advice on areas including curriculum, teaching and learning, research, and even directions and strategies. It is also an appropriate t i me for the Un i v e r s i ty to examine, reflect, refine and re- articulate its bilingual language policy adopted since its founding, an advantage enjoyed by The Chinese University but i n need of reinforcement to cope w i t h the trend of diversification and internationalization i n H o n g Kong's higher education sector. The Committee on B i l i ngua l i sm set u p earlier i n 2005 is expected to render advice for discussion and consultation. The University has also come to an i mpo r t ant juncture of reverting to a four-year curriculum. F r om its inception u n t il 1994, C U HK h ad operated w i t h a four-year curriculum, and since 1994, has consistently advocated reversion to that system for intrinsic educational reasons and to align w i t h the best i n t e r n a t i o n al practice. The g o v e r nme n t 's d e c i s i on to a d o pt a f o u r - y e ar undergraduate c u r r i c u l um i n 2012 is an affirmation of the University's educational philosophy, and it w i l l provide adequate time and a balanced programme to promote all-around education a nd wh o l e - p e r s on d e v e l o pme n t. To c oo r d i na te the p r e p a r a t i on a nd p l a n n i ng w i t h i n the University for receiving the first cohort of students under the new structure i n 2012, the Task Force to Prepare for a Four-Year No r ma t i ve C u r r i c u l um was set u p i n January 2005. The next t wo triennia are a crucial p e r i od for p u t t i ng the c u r r i c u l um i n place. The p l a n n i ng w i l l place emphasis on novel pedagogy, w i t h a focus on student-centred learning and learning outcomes, the enhancement of General Education and language learning; one that w i l l also be f o r wa r d- looking and responsive to the needs of society and students. To support and complement the developments proposed i n the Strategic Plan, the University is actively considering the need to expand all sorts of teaching, recreational and ancillary facilities o n campus. The development of the campus as a who le also requires careful consideration. Our 134-hectare campus is the largest among local universities and is celebrated for its natural beauty, the result of the labour of ma ny generations of staff and students. The University w i l l spare no effort i n p r o t e c t i ng a nd enhancing this n a t u r al heritage, an asset i n w h i c h the u n i v e r s i ty c ommu n i ty takes pride. Since its inception, The Chinese Un i v e r s i ty has h ad a clear orientation. I n the wo r ds of its f o u n d i ng vice-chancellor D r. Ch o h - M i ng Li, The Chinese University has a mission to 'combine tradition w i t h mode r n i ty and to b r i ng together China and the West'. Loo k i ng back we can only admire his vision. The Chinese Un i v e r s i ty has a u n i q ue history and heritage. Steeped i n its humanistic tradition, it is committed to the p r omo t i on and promulgation of Chinese culture and is determined to u p h o ld the educational ideal of emphasizing General Education and whole- person development. These are the values we stand for a nd take p r i de in. For decades, The Chinese University has endeavoured to become the leading university i n Asia. We have laid a solid foundation; n ow is the time to add strength to strength. I believe that the spirit of solidarity and t eamwo rk that prevails among members of the University w i l l help us achieve the goals we have set for ourselves. A n d I hope I w i l l be i n a position to report on successes of our University i n the next annual report. Lawrence J. Lau Vice-Chancellor February 2006 引言 Introduction 9