Newsletter No. 31

No31 June 1992- cuHK Newsletter- F o u r M o r e l o n g Service A w a r d e e s Recount T h e i r E x p e r i e n c e In the May and June issues we reported on the University's Long Service Award Presentation Ceremony 1991-92 and profiled 16 recipients of the award. In this issue we will profile four more staff members honoured for 25 years' service to the University. Dr. Yung Kung-hing Senior Lecturer, Biology Department When I was only a student, I already yearned for a teaching career in a university. I was most attracted by the aura of intellectual freedom on the campus, and the refreshing and stimulating interaction between teachers and students. I chose to teach in The Chinese University because of my strong attachment to this place. Myself a graduate of Chung Chi College, I witnessed the establishment of the Department of Biology in 1958 and was the first student assistant employed by the department to help with general clerical work and the preparation, of equipment for laboratory classes. My interest in biology grew with greater exposure to the subject during that period, and upon graduation, I continued to serve there as graduate assistant for three more years before I went to the States to pursue further studies in biochemistry and plant physiology. After a year of post-doctoral research, I returned to teach in the CUHK. Not until I received this award did I realize what a long time it has been since I first enrolled as an undergraduate in Chung Chi 一 37 years! Over the years, the greatest change I have observed is in the nature of teacher-student relationship on the cam pus. In the old days, students mixed freely with their teachers, and the subject of their discussion might range from academic studies to current affairs, human relationships, and philosophical issues. Today, the role of the teacher seems to have been confined to the dissemination of knowledge. I feel sad about this increasing lack of communication between teachers and students, which has at times resulted in unnecessary misunderstanding and friction. Looking back, I am on the whole happy with my life as a teacher here. There are too many un forgettable events to recount one by one, but I would say that what has given me the greatest satisfaction is to see that my students grow ‘in stature and wisdom' after graduation and become useful members of society. Mr. Woo Ting-kwok Technician, Biology Department I think I am the kind of man who wants to devote his whole life to one occupation. The idea of changing jobs has never really appealed to me. Maybe it is because I am interested in my present job, which involves both indoor and outdoor work. My duties in the Department of Biology include managing the greenhouse — from monitoring plant growth to watering and applying insecticides and fertilizers. I am also responsible for preparing animal and plant specimens for laboratory use. To collect specimens, I have to go on field trips two to three times a week during term time, each time to different sites. I dare say I have left my footprints on nearly every local hillock. Sometimes a trip may span overnight. Running into bad weather or losing my way were not uncommon, not to mention being bitten by unknown bugs. I count myself lucky that there haven't been any serious accidents so far. Such frequent excursions have given me a suntan which, I am afraid, makes me look rather like an African. After spending so many years in the ‘wilderness' , I find that even the mosquitoes have lost interest in me. Since outdoor work is already quite exhausting, I seldom engage in strenuous sports activities during my spare time. I do, however, swim occasionally, and playing mah-jong is one of my favourite pastimes. Mr. Shu Shi-wing Works Supervisor II, Technical Services Unit I used to be in the house decoration business but I didn't find the working environment to my liking. It so happened that my mother was working at a University professor's house, and learnt of a job opening in the Chemistry Department of United College. I managed to get the job, which consisted basically in preparing laboratory equipment for students. Later my supervisors learnt of my carpentry 3