Newsletter No. 30

CUHK Newsletter- No.30 May 1992 They Add up to 200 Years of Service And thus eight awardees look back upon their experience in the University Mrs. C h an Ng P u l - k an General Clerk I ， University Pres ' I joined the University in the belief that it being a large institution, the work system and the benefit package would be better than those of small businesses. In the beginning, I worked in the University Library, and was responsible for providing secretarial support to Dr. A.Kaiming Chiu, the University Librarian at that time. I later transferred to the Publications Office, which was reorganized into The Chinese University Press in 1977 ， and have served there ever since. My days at the University Library were pretty hectic, for my duties included not only secretarial work but also the handling of office correspondence. At the University Press, I have had the chance to learn new things and new skills. The former post kept me busy all the time while the latter has always been stimulating, and so I have found both to my liking. The location of my work has changed many times over the years: first I worked in On Lee Building in town, then in Liu Chong Hing Bank Building, and in Hang Seng Bank Building. Even after relocation to Sha Tin, my office has been 'hopping' from here to there: from the Humanities Building to Pi Ch'iu Building, Chung Chi Teaching Block, and now to the new Hui Yeung Shing Building. Naturally, I prefer working in Sha Tin 一 I enjoy the refreshing air, not to mention the picturesque campus. My present office at the Hui Yeung Shing Building probably ranks top among the rest for one simple reason 一 it is spacious. What I cherishmost here is the cordial relationship established over the years with my fellow colleagues. Whenever a colleague leaves, I can't help feeling down for quite a while.' D r. C h en F o n g - c h i ng Director, Institute of Chines Studies 'Well before going abroad for further studies, I had already made up my mind to return after graduation to work in Hong Kong. That's why I gave up a number of job opportunities while studying in the States. Immediately upon completion of my doctoral studies, I joined The Chinese University and have worked here ever since. Over the last 25 years, the University has given me ample opportunities for personal growth and development. I started my working life in the Physics Department where I was able to concentrate on teaching and research. Later on, the former vice-chancellor, Prof. Ma Lin, invited me to take up the post of University Secretary. I accepted that challenging assignment, and the experience was highly rewarding. I came into contact with people of different backgrounds and gained wide exposure to different kinds of work experience. The six years as University Secretary was but abrief interlude inmy working life. In 1986, I applied for a transfer to the Institute of Chinese Studies when its directorship became vacant, andwas eventually offered the post. I have since been asked by many why aperson trained in the natural sciences should ever be interested in the job. The fact is, people tend to have different interests in different stages of their lives, and it so happens my interests are multifarious. I'm as interested in literature, history, and philosophy as I am in science. It is only because of my belief that the essentials of the natural sciences are relatively harder to grasp by self-study that I chose to do science when I was a student. In my present position, I can pursue my interest in Chinese Studies and contribute what I can towards making the natural sciences part of Chinese culture. My pastimes are equally wide-ranging: sailing, skiing, hiking, tennis, classical music and reading, to name just a few.' D r. C h e ng T o n g - y u ng Senior Lecture Economics Department 'Time flies, and 25 years have passed without my realizing it. The award gives me a chance to reflect upon my history at CUHK. I was teaching in Singapore when I came across The Chinese University's recruitment advertisement in the newspap The terms offered were rather attractive so I wrote to apply. What followed has been ateaching career of two and ahalf decades in Hong Kong. Having grown up in Taiwan, I arrived in Hong Kong with little knowledge of the city, and unable to speak a word of Cantonese. Blunders were inevitable. Fortunately, most teachers and students of New Asia College spokeMandarin and we had basically no problem in communication That diluted much of my homesicknes Later, my family came over to join me and life has since become even more pleasurable. I am taciturn by nature, and have no interest whatever in administrative work. I have been focusing on teaching and research all these years and they have never bored me. During my spare time, I enjoy listening to classical music, or hiking with a few friends. It is also my habit to make use ofmy long leave to travel abroad every year—for recharging, as they say .' 6