Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2004

abreast of the state-of-the-art i n their o w n fields. T h r o u gh constant interaction w i t h true leaders i n their disciplines, they can calibrate their w o r k against the highest international standards. Greater access to n o n - l o c al sources of research f u n d i n g w i l l o p e n u p . T r ue e x c e l l e n ce w i l l eventually be achieved. A n d w i t h e q u al f e r v o u r, t he n e w k n o w l e d g e t h u s c r e a t e d w i l l be channelled back to the communities that s u p p o rt these research activities. Th is means that w e shall be ready to render our expertise not only to serve H o n g K o ng b u t everywhere it is needed. The Un i v e r s i t y 's accomplishments i n t e a c h i n g, research, a n d service i n t he c om i ng decade w i l l therefore d e p e nd i n large measure o n h o w successful we are i n s t r e n g t h e n i ng t h e i n t e r n a t i o n al element i n these functions. I n the age of g l o b a l i z a t i o n, s u ch an a p p r o a ch w i l l enable us to attract talent, raise standards, achieve excellence, extend our impact, a nd render s e r v i c es t o n o t o n l y H o n g K o n g , b u t t he rest of C h i n a, As ia and the w o r l d. L a d i e s a n d g e n t l e m e n, I c o n s i d e r i t m y g r e a t e s t p r i v i l e ge to be able to serve this s p l e n d id u n i v e r s i ty as its s i x th Vice-Chancellor. W i t h its r o o t s i n H o n g K o n g , t h e Chinese U n i v e r s i ty aspires to b e c o m e A s i a ' s W o r l d U n i v e r s i t y, one t hat can h e l p to p r omu l g a te Chinese culture a n d u s h er i n a n e w Ch i n e se r ena i s s an c e; one t h at w i l l create n e w k n ow l e d ge for h uma n k i n d; one that w i l l attract scholars f r om all over the w o r l d a n d e n r i c h a n d e n h a n ce t he p o o l of t a l e n t s a v a i l a b l e t o H o n g K o n g . I w e l c o m e t h e c h a l l e n g e a n d t h e responsibility, a nd s ha ll devote p r i o r i ty t o t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l i z a t i on o f t h e Un i v e r s i t y. I p l e d ge to do m y u t mo st to a d d v a l u e f o r o u r s t u d e n t s , o u r Un i v e r s i t y, a nd H o n g Ko n g. A n d I shall l o o k to a ll of y o u — teachers, pa r en t s, students, a l umni a nd friends — for y o u r advice a nd s u p p o r t. I n c l o s i n g , I w i s h t o t a k e t h i s o p p o r t u n i t y t o e x p r e ss m y h e a r t f e lt t han ks to the parents a nd teachers, w h o a l l l a b o ur h a r d a n d l o n g i n t h e ir o w n w a y s to m a k e t o d a y p o s s i b le f o r o u r g r a d u a t e s . A n d t o o u r g r a d u a t e s r e c e i v i ng their degrees today, I offer m y mo st sincere c o n g r a t u l a t i o ns as w e l l as m y v e ry best wishes for every success i n the future. . . . W i t h its roots in Hong Kong, the Chinese University aspires to become Asia's World University, one that can help to promulgate Chinese culture and usher in a new Chinese renaissance; one that will create new knowledge for humankind; one that will attract scholars from all over the world and enrich and enhance the pool of talents available to Hong Kong. I welcome the challenge and the responsibility, and shall devote priority to the internationalization of the University. . Chinese University Bulletin Autumn • Winter 2004 20