Bulletin Autumn 1978

Tribute to Mr. Energy Speech of Sir Yuet-keung Kan, Council Chairman, at Farewell Party for Vice-Chancellor andMrs. Choh-Ming Li We are gathered here tonight to pay tribute and bid farewell to Vice-Chancellor and Mrs. Choh-Ming Li. If Dr. Li had achieved less, I would have found it necessary to offer a comprehensive review of what he had accomplished. As it is, his achievements are so extensive and varied and so well-known to all of you that I shall merely refer to a few aspects of his contribution to this University. First of all, not many of you may know Dr. Li's nickname: "Mr. Energy". I need hardly say that he has earned this title, not because he has built-in bionic parts or solar cells, but because of the tremendous dynamism he has shown in his work for the University, the vitality and forcefulness he has put into every aspect of his University-oriented activities, whether these have been carried out at staff meetings, social functions or friendly discussions. He could, as far as I am concerned, also be called “Mr. Cool". No matter how difficult or heated the problems he has had to face, he has dealt with them with unflappable composure and aplomb, and then, quite often, gone off to play a few sets of tennis as if nothing had happened. The praiseworthy manner in which the members of the University, under his leadership and guidance, have dealt with serious problems was well illustrated a few years ago when it became known that recurrent funds for the financial year 1975/76 would be considerably below the University's requirements. The effects of the world-wide recession were particularly severe ona young University going through growing pains, and firm steps had to be taken. The Vice-Chancellor set up a Working Group on Economy, later reconstituted into a Committee on Economy, and all departments, offices and units, academic and administrative, university and collegiate, tightened their collective belts in far-reaching economy measures. But Dr. Li knew that cutbacks and reductions would not provide a complete answer to the problem. A university must continue to move forward, else it is liable to regress. The Vice-Chancellor sought and btained additional financial support from the com the University Sports Field were completely financed by private sources. Donations to the Sui-Loong Pao Building were increased from the original pledge of 60 per cent to cover the entire construction cost. And by April 1976 the University had under Dr. Li’s leadership, successfully weathered the period of financial stringency. Dr. Li's energy has similarly provided a motive force for many other important Universityprog to 1977. He may not be a six-million-dollar bionic man, but he has clearly been worth many times six million dollars to the University. I have so far spoken of Dr. Li, and undoubtedly he has been the one who has caught the public eye. The contribution which a wife makes to her husband's success cannot be measured in headlines, however-as my wife has often told me - Mrs. Li's steadfast supp of the major factors in her husband's outstanding career. After fifteen years of continuous, dedicated hard work, even Mr. Energy will, I think, be glad of a change of pace. May I propose a toast to the Vice- Chancellor and Mrs. Li and, on behalf of us all, wish them happiness and good health for many, many years to come. 6