Bulletin Vol. 5 No. 2 Oct 1968

Perhaps it has been wondered why such a high degree of integration is necessary. The answer is that since the University was founded to obtain aca­ demic and financial advantages that are available only to a university, the community and its represent ative agencies have the right to expect our organiza tion to function as a university instead o f three Colleges loosely bound together fo r budgetary pur poses. On the other hand, it would be wrong to expect the University to function like a unitary university or worse still, like a secondary s c h o o l.— In these latter institutions the lines o f command and levels o f authority are unmistakable, and the head can plunge directly into many areas of activity. In a federal university, particularly in The Chinese University of Hong Kong, much depends on unani­ mous agreement, which is obtainable only by persua­ sion. But such a human and democratic system requires time, patience, and understanding on the part of all concerned. That is why on the comple tion o f our first five years we should take stock of our situation, and call fo r a clearer understanding o f the way our growing institution works. W ithout such understanding, its development w ill be ham pered, to the detriment o f the welfare of our younger generation and o f our community in general. The Chinese University of Hong Kong is but one of two universities of modest size in this city which is con stantly demanding more places fo r its youth. There fore it would be advisable to nurture it w ith the care due to any young institution, and the least we can do is to adopt a positive attitude based on a deeper understanding in offering suggestions fo r its improvement. To our friends gathered here to-day, members o f the governing bodies o f the University, colleagues, and above all, our graduates, 1 entrust the mission o f promoting such understanding. Le t the vision of our founders be forever before us, and may we all enjoy the kind of stable and harmonious con­ ditions that are necessary fo r its realization. I f the circumstances permitted, I should like to say a further word to each of the graduates privately, but the public nature o f this occasion does not make what I have to say less personal. It is you, your education, your living and learning in Hong Kong that is my real concern. A ll that I have said thus fa r refers to the means, the method used in trying to meet two basic needs: to educate our students and to serve our community. A t times, the means loom so large that they seem to be ends in themselves. That is a grave danger. But my purpose, and on this point let me speak personally, is to give you the best preparation we can offer fo r a good life, a successful life, in Hong Kong. Most o f you w ill have a richer and more rewarding ex perience because o f what you have received in the University and the progress and welfare of Hong Kong w ill be enhanced by your personal efforts. The very existence o f The Chinese University is justified because this community needs you as an educated person. For the past four years this University has been the hope of your future. From now on you are the hope of our future. “ A good university campus alone does not mean a good university" Eng li sh Speech o f D r . the Ho n . F u n g P ing Fan On behalf of my wife and myself I want to thank the Vice-Chancellor fo r the honour and privilege o f taking part in this Graduation D inner and addressing the gathering, which includes many distinguished members of the community, and T am very pleased to say, Prof. Chao Yuan Ren, the internationally known Chinese scholar, and Mrs. Chao. To all the graduates I extend my heartiest congratulations fo r your achievements, and wish you the best o f luck in the years ahead. Having congratulated you fo r your completion o f your University's requirements fo r its degrees or diploma, I would like to add that you should not be self-satisfied. Your hard work in the past years does not mean that you can now rest on your oars. In order to serve Hong Kong and the com munity more fa ithfully, I would strongly urge you to keep up your habit o f hard work, and set your sights on worthwhile objectives. It is very much up to you yourselves to demonstrate to society the real worth of the education given in The Chinese University. The great majority of you who are either pursu ing advanced studies here or abroad, or engaging in employments in various fields ， have already start ed your new career. To those who are pursuing advanced studies, I hope they w ill show that their university training is in no way inferior to that of the graduates from other universities, and even more important, to demonstrate their capacity fo r develop ing the basic characteristics of scholarship; namely, hard work, thoroughness, imagination and hum ility. To those who are engaging in employments in various fields in Hong Kong or elsewhere, I would like to stress that to be a potential leader it does not mean that you have to start from the top. It is extremely important fo r all o f you to realise that no matter what you do in the community, the basic objective is to render service to your fellow-men, and to do so w ith courtesy and hum ility. You must be prepared to make a good start wherever you find yourselves, and to do well the job assigned to you. — 3 —