Bulletin Number Five 1985

Address by Dr. Charles Kuen Kao Mr. Chancellor ， Mr. Vice-Chancellor, members of the University Council, ladies and gentlemen: I am deeply honoured to receive today from the Chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong the degree of Doctor of Science honoris causa. On behalf of my fellow graduates here, I would like to convey to the University our sincere gratitude. I am honoured to be recognized in my role as an industrial technologist for my contributions in pioneering the use of optical fibre for communication purposes and also honoured as an engineering student who has succeeded in utilizing the skill acquired in a life time of learning. My happy association with The Chinese University of Hong Kong has been a great enrichment. The honour which you have just bestowed upon me is greatly valued as a recognition from an all-important peer group. On this occasion, I take the opportunity to share with you some personal views on engineering studies which I believe are under consideration for introduction at The Chinese University of Hong Kong. I would like to bring up two aspects, one from an industrial viewpoint which reflects the standpoint of the benefactor of the education provided by universities, and the other from an educational viewpoint which discusses the challenge which the educational community faces, owing to the proliferation of specialization sometimes known as the Information explosion'. The health of industry is dependent on our ability to use knowledge, particularly scientific and technological knowledge, efficiently and effectively. It is of particular interest to note that even a relatively simple product, when analysed, shows that a host of scientific and technical knowledge is needed for thorough understanding. Knowledge furthermore can enhance, extend, alter, adapt and above all tailor the product for a target application. Knowledge sharpens our awareness of new possibilities and in turn provides us with the means to further our effort towards creating a higher quality of life. In other words, our new needs are fulfilled through the use of our knowledge and skill. Industrialists are, therefore, looking for people with a broad appreciation o f scientific bases, and an in-depth skill in some specialization, and above all people who can work as a team with their colleagues and have professional contacts outside their company, so that as near a full complement of required skill and knowledge as possible can be made to bea r on a specific task. It is obvious from the following simple story of brick-making. A common brick used for house construction was in use for thousands of years. Initially they were simply made from clay from the ground, shaped when wet into nearly a rectangular shape and dried in air. These bricks, of course, would soften in continuou rain over an extended period. Then came the bricks which were heated up to a high temperature in a fire. These bricks were found to be hard and water-resistant, although moisture could seep through them very slowly. A modern-day brick is still made from clay but the composition of the clay is known and controlled. The particle size of the ingredients and the type of ingredients govern the colour, texture and weight of the brick. The durability, hardness, water permeability are also dependent on the composition. Hence a brick engineer needs certain knowledge of the composition of chemicals and their properties so as to appreciate the effect of variation of the firing temperature. He must know the thermal design of the fumance so that a load of bricks will experience temperatures within the tolerance permitted. He must also know the types of heating condition under which the bricks will undergo oxidation or reduction due to the presence or absence of excess oxygen. He should have some idea as to how to test a piece of brick for strength in tension, compression and shear. Also he must be aware of how to get constituent chemicals analysed for acceptability. Since the exhaust from the kiln is toxic he also need to know toxic waste disposal procedures and toxic waste treatment. The brick engineer may be trained in materials as his field of speciality, but he could do with assistance from chemists and other engineers. It is also 8 NEWS