Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2005

The Youngest Founding College U n i t e d College w a s f o u n d e d i n June 1956 b y the amalgamation of five colleges: Wah K i u, Ca n t on Overseas, W e n H u a , K w a n g H s i a a n d P i n g J i n g , m e m b e rs o f a g r o u p o f p o s t - secondary colleges or f o r mer p r i v a t e universities based i n Gu a n g d o n g. The Hon. Wilson T.S. Wang, vice-chairman of the Colleges Board, laid the cornerstone of the college's Commerce and Social Science Building in 1971. A Strong Local Identity 'New Asia has its traditionalist legacy and Chung Chi, its Christian roots and international connections, and Shaw, its cultivation of moral character. The United spirit is free from and yet embodies the diversity of all three; and it is firmly grounded in its commitment to Hong Kong.'— Prof. Fung Kwok-pui, 8th head of United College. The n e w college soon began to receive g o v e r nme n t s u b s i d y; it also t o o k o n strong local colour. Wh i le i n the early years, there were students f r o m provinces u p north, local students soon p r e d om i n a t ed a n d the graduates made servic e to H o n g K o n g their career of choice. U n i t ed College c omm i t t ed itself to addressing the u n i q u e needs of H o n g K o n g a n d k eep i ng abreast of global trends. T h e c o l l e g e ' s a f f i n i t y to t h e H o n g K o n g c o mm u n i ty is also reflected i n the organization of its early Boar d of Trustees. The b o a r d h ad 19 members, fiv e of w h o m were f o rme r heads of the member colleges; seven, representatives of other local academic institutions; a nd seven, p r om i n e nt leaders of the Chinese c ommu n i t y . Prof. Fung Kwok-pui, college head The College System of The Chinese University 1 5