Newsletter No. 16

Prof. S, W.Tam Professor of Chemistry; Pro-Vice-Chancellor; Dean of Graduate School Prof. Tam considers that Hong Kong is his home. That was why he gave up an opportunity to work in Switzerland and instead took up a teaching post in Chung Chi College when he completed his studies in the UK. Soon afterwards, he became involved in University administration. Over the years he has been dean of the Science Faculty at Chung Chi, head of Chung Chi College, dean of the Graduate School, and is now pro-vice-chancellor of the University. In addition, he is heavily involved in community service, serving various academic institutions and voluntary agencies in different capacities. When asked how he can afford the time to attend to such a wide range of commitments, he says, ‘First of all I'm very much interested in administration work and that provides the incentive. Secondly it is not at all difficult if you can find the right persons to help and know how to allocate your time efficiently .' Prof. Tam plans his daily schedule so well that he is able to squeeze in an hour for sports every day. Among his achievements in The Chinese University, he is most pleased with the consistently high attendance rate of the Chung Chi weekly assembly. He made the assembly part of the general education curriculum when he was head of Chung Chi College and successfully boosted the turn-out rate. The assembly has since become a very popular 'course' amongst students. He is heavily involved in community service, serving various academic institutions and voluntary agencies in different capacities. Mr. Cho Chung-ngok Supervisor, Central Office Support Service Before transferring to the Central Office Support Service in 1989, Mr. Cho worked in the bursary of United College and the School of Education. Mr. Cho says the three posts are more or less similar as all involve the provision of general services. Mr. Cho recalls that today's simple jobs were difficult during the days when equipment and facilities were not so advanced. In those days, originals of documents had to be inscribed on wax paper and sometimes copies had to be printed manually one by one. He remembers how embarrassed he was when he had to print for the first time: he lost control of the speed of the printing machine and forgot to turn off the fan. As a result, sheets of paper flew into the air and scattered throughout the room. Mr. Cho was once a ping-pong amateur but now he prefers to practise Chinese calligraphy in his leisure time. He told CUHK Newsletter that when he was working at the School of Education, he even gave calligraphy classes! Mr. Cho was once a ping-pong amateur but now he prefers to practise Chinese calligraphy in his leisure time. Mrs. Lo Wong Wai-han General Clerk, Department of Extramural Studies Mrs. Lo was one of the four pioneer staff members of the Department of Extramural Studies when the department was first founded. As the only woman in the department, she was well cared for. For instance, when her supervisor learned that Mrs. Lo hadjoined a Chinese typing class during her spare time in order to acquire a greater variety of working skills, he bought a Chinese typewriter for her and asked her to type attendance record books for all the classes. Her work load has increased tremendously during the years. She had to type attendance record books for about 2,000 students in 60 courses at first but now the numbers have increased to 10,000 students in over 600 courses. Despite the heavy work load, Mrs. Lo handles her job easily with no trace of occupational diseases such as shortsightedness and backaches. Recalling the past, Mrs. Lo can still remember how she andher colleagues laughed and chatted while preparing lunch in the ladies room of the former office of the department at Carniivan Road. The room was clean, spacious and equipped with utensils, she recalls. Despite the heavy work load, Mrs. Lo handles her job easily with no trace of occupational diseases such as shortsightedness and backaches. Mr. Wong Ngok-fook General Clerk, Department of Extramural Studies M r . Wo n g 's nickname is ‘Ah-fook, which in Cantonese means ‘a fool’. M r . Wo ng is not at all o f f ended: ‘ M y name is literally ah-fook!' he responded light-heartedly. Mr. Wong Ngok-fook has served the Department of Extramural Studies for many years. Prior to that he worked in the public relations unit of the central administration. But his interests shifted after 10 years and he transferred to the Security Unit, and then to the Department of Extramural Studies. He has no regrets about changing his job as the present responsibility of student registration is sufficiently interesting. Moreover, to avoid the pains of travelling, he prefers working in the urban area. Also, as a staff member of the Department of Extramural Studies, he has taken the opportunity to register with the department as a student of calligraphy and Chinese painting. These, indeed, are his major hobbies. He has no regrets about changing his job as the present responsibility of student registration is sufficiently interesting. 5