Bulletin Number Four 1987

hand, precisely because the University was constantly confronted w ith such problems that our staff and students became tru ly concerned w ith our educational ideals, and saw the need to devote themselves to such important tasks as the strengthening o f our student admission system and the improvement o f our cur­ riculum structure. As a result our understanding o f these ideals has been deepened, and our commitment to them reinforced. Thus challenges and adverse circumstances can shape as well as inspire us, and produce positive effects thereby. Is this not the import o f the ancient saying ‘a nation thrives on difficulties'? While a university is far smaller than a nation in scale, nevertheless the saying holds true for it as well. This saying ‘a nation thrives on difficulties', I am sure, never fails to evoke a universal sense o f sad ness among modern Chinese intellectuals. Looking back over the past one and a half centuries we would all be at a loss trying to tally the innumerable defeats, humiliations and disasters suffered by China, or to catalogue the countless false routes, circuitous paths and blind alleys she has strayed into. This disastrous course was partly the result o f our poorly developed sense o f nationalism; a more important cause is our obsolete ideas, which prevented us from truly under­ standing the fast changing times that suddenly burst upon us. China has now been on her feet again for thirty- eight years, and the lack o f nationalist feelings is no longer our main problem. It has also been almost a whole decade since China, having learned adear lesson from past catastrophes, began to make radical changes in her course and pursue a new policy based on open­ ness, reform and respect for knowledge and youth- fulness. Can our vast and ancient country which is so disaster prone really stay on the right track and take o ff for prosperity this time? That, unfortunately, no one is in a position to say, but clearly everyone o f us has a responsibility for making it come true. Particu larly teachers and students o f The Chinese University, bearer o f the cultural and educational tradition of China, who are blessed w ith such favourable sur roundings for work and study here on campus: on your shoulders rests a responsibility which is far heavier than on most o f your compatriots. However, do not feel discouraged. Responsibility is not simply a burden: it is also a challenge and an opportunity. Your new Vice-Chancellor is an energetic scientist in his prime working at the forefront o f the technological age. He is not only experienced in administration but also has intimate knowledge o f the workings o f modern technology and industry. Under his leadership the University w ill no doubt become even more open and dynamic, andw ill rapidly transform itself into a major research institution which is bound to make significant contributions to the modernization o f China. The Chinese University is fortunate to have persuaded a capable leader o f Dr. Kao's calibre to take over its helm. I congratulate the University for its gain, and this is a gain for the higher education o f Hong Kong and China as well. Ladies and gentlemen, between my late father, my brother and myself we have by now already worked for over half a century in various fields o f higher education. During these decades China, Hong Kong and the higher education o f Hong Kong have all changed drastically, I would say beyond recog­ nition. Such a transformation has not come o f its own accord: it is the fru it o f the tireless efforts o f countless dedicated educators and scholars. I am sure the time, the place and the people are now all on our side. What we are going to welcome in thirteen years' time is not just a new century, a new millennium, but also a new age. Let us all buckle down and give our very best to usher in this new age! Thank you. 9