Newsletter No. 37

CUHK Newsletter No.37 December 1992 universities in neighbouring countries (the Philippines, Saigon, Malaya, Singapore). The University of Hong Kong was represented by its Vice-Chancellor, Sir Lindsay Ride. The installation, effected by the delivery of various symbols of office, was concluded with an address by Dr. Li. The Chancellor then went on to confer honorary LLDs on five distinguished persons who may rightly be called the architects of the University: Sir Robert Black, Sir John (later Lord) Fulton, Dr. Clark Kerr, the Hon. C. Y. Kwan and the Hon. R. C.Lee. The Governor and his wife were the guests of honour at a dinner hosted by Dr. L i that evening at the Gloucester Restaurant, quite unknown to young people nowadays since the Gloucester Building, where it was situated, was demolished some years ago to make space for the tower blocks collectively known as the Landmark. Speaking before dinner Sir David Trench, the Governor, who was a Cambridge man, said, ‘I find myself now the Chancellor of two universities. The faintest suggestion that this might ever happen would, I may say, have very greatly astonished my tutor when I was myself an undergraduate.' Indeed Sir David himself, had he lived to this day, would have been even more astonished to find his present-day successor the titular head of no less than seven institutions! 1978 Prof. Ma Lin's installation as Vice-Chancellor took place at the 19th Congregation, on 2nd October 1978. As on similar occasions before the City Hall Concert Hall was packed with distinguished guests, and the Governor, Sir Murray (now Lord) MacLehose and Dr. the Hon. Sir Y. K. Kan, Chairman of the University Council (now Pro-Chancellor), officiated at the ceremony. After receiving the instruments of office Prof. Ma made his inaugural speech, and 14 years later his words still ring true: '(The Chinese University) now stands on a solid foundation, but the task confronting us today is no less like sailing against the currents, which allows no rest and demands unrelenting vigilance. The world in this modern age never ceases to change, and academic pursuits break new ground almost every day. We who are the staff and students of the University must therefore unite our hearts and join our hands, keep up our spirits and vitality, and be unsparing in our efforts and unceasing in our intellectual endeavours. Only in this way can we stay abreast of the times and contribute to the development and progress of society, and thus not fail the many people who have high hopes and deep concern for us.’ The ceremony continued with the conferment of an honorary doctorate in law on Dr. Choh-ming Li, and Dr. Li's response. A dinner to mark Prof. Ma's assumption of office was held at the Rainbow Room of the Lee Gardens Hotel the following evening. 8