Bulletin Vol. 7 No. 2 Oct 1970

“More than just a repository for b o o k s " —Add r ess by Sir David Trench — We are here today to witness the beginning of yet another significant stage in the development of The Chinese Universit y of Hong Kong. As the three constituent colleges move out here and establish themselves in their separate ways, so the common buildings of the University itself are gradually taking shape and providing a focal point for both the students and for the staff and graduates, and acting as a unifying force for the University as a whole. This University Librar y has been planned to be more than just a repository for books, although, of course that will be one of its main functions—it will hold some 400,000 volumes. In the five-storey, 86,000 sq. ft . building, which will be completed in about a year's time, there will also be a photographic laboratory, a group study and audio-visual room, a periodical reading room, conference and seminar rooms and so on. It seems certain that, together with the separate College libraries whose works it will complement, this complex will be of immense value to all who will use it. A building of this kind is not, of course, an inexpensive project and its cost will be in the region of $7,350,000. We are most fortunate that nearly half this sum has been donated by Dr. the Honourable Tang Ping-Yuan, a member of the Council of this University, in memory of his late father. 1 should like to take this opportunity of thanking Mr. Tang for his generosity—which is in line with what we in Hong Kong have come to expect from one who always demonstrates a keen interest in educational matters and who is at present so bound up with our plans for technical education. So here we shall have a fine University library, ready to serve as a centre dedicated to the promotion of the inter-flow of Chinese and Western cultures, and also to assist the members of The Chinese University in their researches. I am very pleased indeed to have been able to accept the Vice- Chancellor's invitation to lay its foundation stone and I express my good wishes to all who will make use of its facilities. (see also picture in Chinese section) New Pr es i den t of New As i a Co l l ege — D r . Y . P . M e i Dr. Y.P. Me i assumed duty as President of New Asia College on 1st September, 1970, succeeding Dr. Y.T. Shen upon the expiration of his tenure of presidency. A Ceremony of Transfer between the former President and the new President was held at the College on 1st September. It was presided over by Mr. Tsufa F. Lee, Vice-Chairman of the College Board of Governors, and attended by members of the College Counci l and Academic Board as well as senior administrative staff. A party in honour of the new President and Dr. Y.T. Shen, hosted by the Chairman and the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Governors and attended by all members of the staff and student representatives, was held after the ceremony. A t the party Dr. Y.T. Shen was presented souvenirs by the staff and students. Dr. Mei holds a B.A. degree and an LL . D. degree from Oberli n College, a Ph.D. degree from the University of Chicago, and an L .H.D. degree from Wabash College. The founder of the Center for Far Eastern Studies of the University of Iowa, Dr. Mei served as the Chairman of Chinese and Oriental Studies of the University of Iowa before taking up the presidency of New Asia College. He was once the Acting President of Yenching University in China and served as a professor at a number of American universities. Dr. Mei has many publications on Chinese philosophy and literature and has contributed numerous articles to a number of academic journals. 士 博 寶 貽 梅 Dr. Y,P. Mei (see also picture in Chinese section) — 3 —