Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1981

Twenty-Third Congregation Sir Run Run SHAW, C.B.E. It was almost exactly five years ago that I had my first opportunity to sing the praise of Sir Run Run Shaw in public. The occasion was the laying of the Foundation Stone for Caritas Medical Centre's Extension. Like other similar projects, the financing of this one needed the help of some public-spirited citizen. While thanking Sir Run Run for making a substantial contribution towards its building cost, I told the gathering that he had the vision to provide social services for the people of Hong Kong with generous donations out o f his accummulated wealth, though, true to his character, he did not publicize his good deeds. I am glad to have the privilege to eulogize him again to-day. In all the years I have known him I have never ceased to admire the man for his readiness to use his boundless energy to play many roles in the community life of Hong Kong. To cite a few instances, he has enriched our cultural life as Chairman of the Hong Kong Arts Festival Society and the Hong Kong Arts Centre, and as President of the Hong Kong Red Cross and Vice- President of the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation, he has done much to help the sick and disabled. Sir Run Run's association with the University began in 1967 when he became a member of the Board o f Trustees of United College, by 1972 he was Vice- Chairman and five years later he was appointed to the Council. To the right of where I am standing and only a stone's throw from this platform, you can see the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall. This fine building has been donated by Sir Run Run to the University, to meet the needs of the students for a place where they can hold ceremonies and exhibitions and stage concerts, plays and cinema shows. Officially opened in May, it is fast becoming the centre of cultural activities in the campus and possibly in Shatin in time to come, for the use of the facilities is open to others besides ourselves. For the many services which he has rendered to the community and the University I now ask you, Mr. Chancellor, to confe r on Sir Run Run Shaw the degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa. 5