Bulletin No. 2, 2020

26   Chinese University Bulletin No. 2, 2010 over the world will only be producing revenue- generating products and individuals, rather than responsible citizens; responsible citizens who can think for themselves, respect those who are different and understand others’ sufferings and needs. On the other hand, the imaginative and creative capability, the humanistic aspects of scientific research, and the capacity for rigorous critical thinking will diminish. The value of education will be lost. Bronson Alcott said: ‘Education is that process by which thought is opened out of the soul, and, associated with outward things, is reflected back upon itself, and thus made conscious of its reality and shape.’ When the nations talk about economic growth, we must not forget there are still hunger and sickness in even the wealthiest countries in the world. When the world focuses on scientific ad- vancement, food production and prolonged longevity, we should be reminded that ‘the most common disease is not tuberculosis or leprosy, but the hunger for love (Mother Teresa).’ As a comprehensive University, our balance of science and technology against humanities meets the demand in this world. In our University we will continue to uphold human values, to cultivate sensitivity to people’s need and suffering, to educate for appreciation of the arts and music. Tagore reminded us that ‘Our mind does not gain true freedom by acquiring materials for knowledge and possessing other people’s ideas but by forming its own standards of judgment and producing its own thoughts.’ Socrates proclaimed that ‘the unexamined life I stand before you greatly honoured and with humility to be appointed as the seventh Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. This University was founded by scholars who embraced Chinese culture and philosophy, who had great passion to educate young men and women to become mature and responsible adults, who pointed out that we need humanities as much as science and technology to make our country and our world a better place. And with these commitments they laid solid foundations for our University over 60 years ago. Un d e r t h e c a p a b l e l e a d e r s h i p o f my predecessors, The Chinese University of Hong Kong has become one of the top comprehensive research universities in Asia. Our cherished traditions in bilingualism and biculturalism, our heritage of profound humanitarianism, blending Eastern and Western cultures, our commitment to general education and whole-person development and our unique non-formal education and pastoral care through our Colleges has put us on the global map of higher education in the past 50 years. But today we are facing unprecedented challenges. Radical changes are occurring in university education worldwide. A silent crisis has started when nations thirst for economic growth, researchers are driven by the search for resources more than curiosity, universities look up to rankings more than nurturing young souls, and professors are rewarded primarily by their ‘productivity’ rather than their scholarship. If this trend continues, nations all Address by Professor Joseph J.Y. Sung SBS, MB BS, PhD, MD, FRCP (London), FRCP (Edinburgh), FRCP (Glasgow), FRACP, FAGA, FACG, FHKCP, FHKAM (Medicine)