Bulletin Summer‧Autumn 1993

T o w a rd s th e 2 1 s t C e n tu ry By the time the University celebrates its 40th anniversary, it w ill be the 21st century and H ong Kong w ill be a Special Adm inistrative Region o f China. W hat can be foreseen is the rapid g row th o f the Pacific rim , and o f China in p a rtic u la r, w h o w ill p la y an in c re a s in g ly im p o rta n t ro le in the in te rna tiona l scene. H ong Kong w ill provide the m uch needed educated m anpow er to support China's development. A nd The Chinese University, w ith its un ique background and attributes, its cu ltural roots, its linkages to the in te rna tiona l academic comm unity, and its established record over the years, has enormous potentials fo r significant con tributions in the n ew and challenging environm ent. As a com p rehensive m ode rn university, the U niversity w ill continue to o ffe r q u a lity education to more students, in more n ew subjects that are relevant to a m odern society, and in a fle x ib le manner th rough a credit u n it system. As a research institu tion , it w ill be co n tinuou sly comm itted to the crea tio n o f know ledge th rough research, and the p ro vision o f a strong postgradu ate programme b y research. It w ill be a source o f expertise to the local com m un ity and an active mem ber o f the in ternational academic comm unity. L o o king towards the next century w e expect to see a un iversity that is a c ita d e l o f le a rn in g and academ ic freedom ； a un ive rsity that explores, transm its and disseminates know ledge th rough its research, teaching, and pu b lica tio n s ； a un iversity that operates w ith e fficien cy ， q u a lity and a sense o f purpose w ith in the g lobal academic c o m m u n ity ； and a u n iv e rs ity that provides leadership in higher education in H ong K ong and the ne ighbou ring region. 16