Bulletin Number Four 1987

forbade him from asserting himself forcefully. Those who know Professor Ma w ill probably agree that modesty and a certain tentativeness in demeanor are the hallmarks o f the man as academic and administrator; but he can also be firm when the situation warrants, for it is d ifficu lt to imagine any Vice-Chancellor being able to achieve anything w ith out taking authoritative action when the pros and cons are evenly balanced or when the ayes match almost exactly the nays. In fact, people who know Professor Ma Lin well w ill know that underneath the self-effacing modesty is a burning desire to enhance the good name of the University both at home and abroad. To this end Professor Ma devoted himself, sometimes at great personal sacrifice, and the result of nine years o f dedicated endeavour is here for all to see. Mr. Chancellor, if the raison d ' ê tre o f univer sities is the creation and dissemination o f knowledge through research and teaching, and I for one can think o f no more worthy end, then on both scores this University has made a significant contribution under the distinguished leadership o f our former Vice-Chancellor. As a scientist, Professor Ma brought to his office a logical mind w ith a penchant for rational arguments; at the same time, when all was said and done, he was fu lly capable of taking decisions w ith the wisdom o f one who had had a Confucius upbringing. Above all, he was a Vice-Chancellor who allowed himself the benefit o f wise counsel from the many men and women he had gathered around him, so that in matters o f consequence concerning the University as a whole, the collective wisdom o f our senior academics nearly always prevailed. In honouring its former Vice-Chancellor, therefore, the University is honouring itself and affirming its achievements under his stewardship. We also like to think o f this as the crowning accolade and fitting tribute to a career that has already received recognition from many quarters, including the election to a fellowship o f the Royal Society o f Arts, elevation to the rank o f Commander o f the Order o f the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen, the conferment o f the degree o f Doctor o f Science, honoris causa, by the Univer sity o f Sussex and the degree o f Doctor o f Letters, honoris causa, by the University o f East Asia, and last but not least, the award o f the Order o f the Rising Sun w ith Gold Rays by His Majesty the Emperor o f Japan. Mr. Chancellor, for twenty-four years now The Chinese University o f Hong Kong has held steadfast to the original aims and mission o f the founding fathers. We have also maintained a course structure which best enables us to achieve those aims. During this time ， we have been given, dare I say it, ‘a high degree o f autonomy' under the concept o f one city, two university systems. We have been fortunate in Vice-Chancellors who uphold academic freedom and Chancellors who respect it. And freedom is, in the words o f T.E. Lawrence, 'the seven-pillared worthy house' from whence wisdom springs. Under such a liberal environment, the pursuit o f knowledge which alone leads man in his ascent has been given free rein. On this happy and memorable occasion, w ith Vice- Chancellors past and present both on centre stage, let us express the hope that this great tradition which Professor Ma Lin cherished, defended and upheld w ill long endure. With these words, Mr. Chancellor, I present to you Professor Ma Lin, Professor Emeritus, respected scientist, educationist, administrator, legislator, com munity leader and former Vice-Chancellor o f the University for the award o f the degree o f Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. 7