Bulletin No. 1, 2009

Ground-breaking Ceremony   29 Morningside College Celebrates Ground-breaking T he ground-breaking ceremony for Morningside College was held on 17 December 2008. Officiating at the ceremony were Dr. Gerald L. Chan (centre), member of the Planning Committee for Morningside College and director of the Morningside Foundation; Mr. Ronnie C. Chan (2nd left), director of the Morningside Foundation; Dr. Edgar W.K. Cheng (2nd right), Chairman of the Council, CUHK; Prof. Lawrence J. Lau (1st left), Vice- Chancellor, CUHK; and Prof. Sir James Mirrlees (1st right), Master-Designate of Morningside College. ‘Undergraduate colleges have been a part of life at the Chinese University since our inception four and a half decades ago,’ noted Prof. Lau. ‘The creation of a new college is thus an affirmation of an important dimension of our history and evolution as an institution, as well as an indication of our ability and willingness to change and innovate well into the future. We have very high hopes for Morningside College, and for its students and graduates.’ The new College is expected to accept its first students in the fall of 2010, and will accommodate a total of 300 students each year at equilibrium. The College hopes to foster a high level of intimacy among students and faculty, and a style of learning that is only possible in a small, cohesive community. Students will reside and dine in the College, as will the College Master. ‘Morningside College will have a nicely open podium on top of the dining hall, and some grounds around, where people can interact casually and informally and engage in face-to-face discussion with teachers,’ said Prof. Mirrlees. He expected the College will admit a large proportion of students from outside Hong Kong as well as a good sample of excellent local students. There will also be frequent distinguished visitors to the College from all walks of life and all parts of the world.