Bulletin No. 1, 2012

32   Chinese University Bulletin No. 1, 2012 Remembering Prof. Chen Chih-fan P rof. Chen Chih-fan , honorary professor o f t h e De p a r tme n t o f E l e c t r on i c Engineering, passed away on 25 February 2012 at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, leaving us with one fewer figure who could seamlessly fuse the arts and science. A renowned writer and scientist, Professor Chen was an incarnation of the ideal Renaissance man that modern universities strive to produce. Trained as an electronic engineer, he was an inspiring essayist known for his elegantly simple writing style. He wrote with sense and sensibility about science, arts, contemporary people and current affairs. His essays are interspersed with rich knowledge of literature and anecdotes, and imbued with his care and concern for the Chinese nation. Professor Chen was also a skilled translator who published a collection of his translations of English poetry. As Prof. Wong Kwok- pun Laurence , research professor of the Department of Translation, commented, ‘Very few writers can move freely between science and literature. Professor Chen was one of them. I would describe him as a rare “amphibian”.’ Professor Chen came to CUHK to serve as Professor of Electronics and chairman of the Department of Electronics in 1977 and left the University in early 1985. Thanks to this maverick chairman who had a unique way of thinking, the Department of Electronics was a pioneer on many fronts. Professor Chen gave very substantial help to a couple of teachers who developed the newest LCD technologies, so they could turn theory into reality by establishing a successful technology company. At that time policies to promote technology transfer were basically non- existent. But Professor Chen was visionary and proactive in this regard. He supported staff members of the department to use their research results to create positive impact on society.