Bulletin Number One 1982

The Realization of a Cherished Dream Opening of the Choh-Ming Li Building for Basic Medical Sciences When The Chinese University was founded two decades ago, its campus had only a few buildings scattered here and there. In twenty years' time, it has taken on an entirely new appearance. Standing in front o f the stately University Library, w ith the grand Mall and the buildings on both sides zooming into the distance, one could not help marvelling at the speed w ith which the physical development o f the University has taken place over the past years. With the opening o f the Choh-Ming Li Building for Basic Medical Sciences by His Excellency the Governor and Chancellor o f the University, Sir Murray MacLehose, on 7th January, 1982, this feeling would be shared by many more people, both students and staff alike. Even Dr. Choh-Ming Li, the first Vice- Chancellor o f the University and prime mover in the establishment o f the Medical Faculty, was surprised at its speedy completion. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr. Li said, “ On my departure from this University, the Medical School was still a plan on the drawing boards, and the Medical Building was merely a foundation stone. The plan is now a reality, and the building for Basic Medical Sciences stands in its concrete form before our eyes." Similar sentiments were expressed by the present Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Ma Lin. In his address, Dr. Ma described the opening o f the Basic Medical Sciences Building as "the culmination o f a long series o f efforts and the realization o f a cherished dream". The opening ceremony was attended by more than 500 guests. " I t is one o f those rare occasions when many different people and events converge, in a way which is not likely to repeat," declared Dr. Ma in his speech. Running over the names o f the guests, one would readily agree w ith the Vice-Chancellor. Apart from Dr. Choh-Ming Li, who had come back from America for the occasion, and Sir Murray MacLehose, who formally opened the building, the honoured guests included: Sir Y.K. Kan, Council Chairman; Sir William Trethowen, Chairman o f the Medical Academic Advisory Committee; Dr. R.C. Lee, Vice-Chairman o f the Council; overseas members o f the University's Medical Academic Advisory Committee, who had come to Hong Kong for its annual meeting; Professor A.P.M. Forrest, representa tive o f the Royal College o f Surgeons o f Edinburgh, who presented a congratulatory message to the University to mark the occasion; and many other distinguished celebrities. Built on a site at the central part o f the Univer sity campus next to the Science Centre, the nine- storey Basic Medical Sciences Building soars above all other buildings on the Mall. It commands a panoramic view o f the Tolo Harbour, and is blessed more than any other concrete Titans on the mid-level by the golden beams o f the sun at dawn. With an area o f 9,566 square metres and designed for the pre clinical programme o f the Faculty o f Medicine, the Building is equipped w ith the most modern facilities for studies in basic medicine as well as for the sophisticated research interests o f a professionally- oriented faculty. The departments housed in it include Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology and a division o f the Department o f Biochemistry. The construction cost o f the Choh-Ming Li Building for Basic Medical Sciences is close to HK$20 m illion, which has been met entirely by government funds. 13