Bulletin Winter 1977

ment o f this University during its first fourteen years o f existence, and, I trust, w ill continue to shape its development in the years ahead. I should like to take a few minutes to comment on each o f these major purposes which have inspired and guided my personal efforts from the beginning and which continue to be close to my heart. Two Major Goals As to the first major educational goal or pur pose, the Chinese University endeavours to meet Hong Kong's need for young men and women w ith highly specialized or professional competence to play im­ portant roles in its advanced social and economic structure. It does so by being amodern university — a complex institution o f various organizational units, offering undergraduate instruction in the humanities and the arts, in the natural sciences and mathematics, and in the social sciences. It provides graduate and professional education in selected fields. Through its various research institutes and centres, and its publica­ tions, it contributes to the advancement o f know­ ledge. Finally, it makes its expertise available to organizations and individuals as a public service to Hong Kong. In all these functions, the Chinese Univer­ sity is committed to the highest international standards o f excellence. What I have described is, o f course, the establishedmodel o f the modern university found in many parts o f the world. It represents the institutionalization o f the first and basic educational goal o f the Chinese University. However, as I indicated previously, this basic model represents just one o f the two major educa tional goals, the other being a profound concern for Chinese learning and culture, which constitutes the distinctive mission o f the Chinese University. These two major goals are inter-dependent, continuously interacting, and together define the true character o f the Chinese University. I want now to say a few words about this distinctive mission. A t the very beginning, the Chinese University established as its special objective the promotion o f the interflow and integration o f Chinese and Western intellectual and cultural traditions. This obviously requires o f each student a deepened understanding o f his own Chinese intellectual heritage as well as amas­ tery o f Western empirical methods and scientific knowledge. Bilingualism is an indispensable tool o f understanding and communication. The Chinese Uni­ versity expects each o f you, its graduates, to move between these two great cultures and to interact effectively w ith each. I f the University is to carry out this distinctive instructional mission effectively, it must assume an institutional responsibility for preserving and enriching the Chinese intellectual and cultural tradition. This responsibility is directly embodied in the functions o f various organizations, and in the extensive research, translation, and publication programmes in Chinese Studies. And, o f course, this institutional responsibility becomes the personal responsibility o f individual members o f the faculties, finding appropriate expres­ sion in their teaching and research. Local and International Interest and Assistance As I have said, a university derives its character and its purposes from the society it serves. In this regard, the Chinese University is most fortunate. Established in an intellectually free society, serving a community which exemplifies the dynamic and pro­ ductive interaction o f Chinese and Western cultures, enjoying the encouragement and generous support o f Government, The Chinese University o f Hong Kong is uniquely situated to carry out its distinctive mission. For this we are deeply grateful to the Hong Kong Government and its far-sighted leaders. In serving its own society, the Chinese University serves Chinese culture generally and the intellectual needs o f its sister universities throughout the world. To my good friends here in Hong Kong who have so warmly supported this young University, and given so generously o f their time andmoney to nourish its growth, I express my heartfelt thanks. I remarked some 14 years ago that the Chinese University would be international in character. In its establishment it received wise counsel from dis­ tinguished persons from all parts o f the world, and it continues to receive such counsel. It has received substantial assistance from international foundations for innovative projects; foreign governments have supported programmes o f study. Outstanding scholars ， including overseas Chinese, from famous universities throughout the world have joined our faculties; and students from many countries come annually to our campus. For all this diversity o f international interest and assistance, I am most grateful. And to you who have received your degrees here today ， I give congratulations and best wishes for the future. I hope that in the years to come you w ill remember w ith pride and appreciation your years spent in this young university, as I myself w ill re­ member. 15