Bulletin Spring‧Summer 1997

scientist at one of our universities. On being told about some newly discovered black hole, he said 'But it is British isn't it?' This summons up pictures of space-craft hurrying to plant Union Jacks in the cosmos! So I am with you today to emphasize the universality of knowledge and to represent the world-wide academic fraternity. But I am also a mathematician and a scientist. My own research has been of a highly specialized nature which you do not discuss at the dinner table nor at degree congregations. However, mathematics in its various forms underpins vast areas of practical importance, from engineering to the financial markets, and as director of the Newton Institute in Cambridge I saw many of these applications at close quarters. As president of the Royal Society I was also concerned with science generally, both nationally and internationally. So I view myself today as a representative of science and see my honorary degree as a recognition by your university of the important role that science plays today. I am sure that many of your graduates will be contributing to the science of tomorrow, and to its application for the benefit of Hong Kong and of the wider world. Finally, and not least in importance, I come from the United Kingdom and I take my presence here to be a re-affirmation of the strong ties between the United Kingdom and Hong Kong. Particularly in the university context, our links have always been very close and I hope they will continue to be so in the future. I come to Hong Kong at an historic moment in its development. By the time of your next congregation in December 1997, the political status of Hong Kong will have changed and there will, I presume, be a new Chancellor of the University presiding over the ceremony. But the hope and expectation is that, in all essential respects. Hong Kong will continue to play the important role that it does at present. In particular this university w i l l continue to turn out high quality graduates, to conduct serious research and to maintain its link with the academic world in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. I myself usually visit Hong Kong at this time of the year to select scholars to come to the United Kingdom and I hope, as usual, to be here in 1997. It is well known that Hong Kong is the door to China. Financial and commercial expertise enters via this route, to the mutual benefit of all concerned. This has been happening for many years and there may well be increased opportunities after July 1997. But other things besides money and goods can flow through Hong Kong. Ideas are just as important, and I can foresee an exciting role in the future for the universities of Hong Kong interacting with those in the rest of China. I know that good relations already exist at the academic level, and I hope that the political changes of the future will enhance them. In conclusion, on behalf of my fellow honorary graduates and myself, I would like to express our thanks to The Chinese University of Hong Kong for honouring us today. We are proud to join your ranks and we look forward, with optimism, to its continuing success in the future. The 52nd Congregation 11

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