Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1993

Forty-sixth Congregation f or t he Conferment o f Hono r a ry Degrees and t h e Ce l eb r a t i on o f the 30th Anniversary The 46th congregation for the conferment of honorary degrees and the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the University was held at the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall on 14th October. HE th e Governor and Chancellor of the University, the Rt. Hon. Christopher Patten, officiated at the ceremony, which was attended by over 850 guests, including some 80 official representatives from both local and overseas educational institutions . Prof. Charles K. Kao , vice-chancellor of the University, made an address with academic freedom as his theme. According to Prof. Kao, academic freedom includes the freedom of the University to admit its own students, to recruit its publications, and to challenge any tradition, orthodoxy, or established views in their field of specialization. 'We are happy to note that our society and government respect and protect academic freedom. Our efforts in promoting excellence in higher education will thus not be jeopardized. We look forward to continuing our efforts to serve the Hong Kong community and to pursue further success and excellence in Hong Kong,' he concluded. The Chancellor of the University then conferred the degree of Doctor of Literature, honoris causa, on Dr. Yo-Yo M a and M r . Zao Wou-ki, the degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa, on Dr. Cheng Yu Tung and Dr. Lee Shau Kee, and the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on Mr. Thomas H. C. Cheung. The Rev. Shih Cheng-yen was indisposed and thus unable to come to Hong Kong to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Social Science in person. Their citations were written and delivered University Press. Dr. Thomas H. C. Cheung addressed the audience on behalf of th e honorary graduates. A tea reception was held after the ceremony at the University Mall. own staff, to establish its own curriculum, and to link up with other centres of excellence worldwide. It is the 'cornerstone for achieving the quality education needed for preparing new talents'. H e emphasized that teachers and research staff should be free to pursue their scholarly inquiries honestly and rationally, to present their findings through their teaching and 46th Congregation 8