Newsletter No. 46

CUHK Newsletter No.46 September 1993 Quest for Excellence The Chinese University of Hong Kong 1963-93 Another publication to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the University is expected to roll off the press next month. With 10 chapters each featuring a specific aspect of the University's development, the book is written by a group of scholars closely associated with the University, who have carefully studied its growth over the past 30 years. Their observations cover issues pertaining to the establishment of the University, its aspiration to integrate Chinese and Western learning, institutional changes, academic developments, linkages with the international academic community, service to society, support from friends and donors, and profiles of University students and alumni. Authors examine various points of historical interest, trace important twists and turns of events, and offer their personal evaluation of major issues. Together the 10 chapters constitute a multi-faceted review of the University's development from embryo to adulthood. Written in Chinese, the book is edited by Dr. Alice N. H. Ng of the Department of History and produced by The Chinese University Press. The English version of the book will become available early next year. The tentative title in English is Quest for Excellence: The Chinese University of Hong Kong 1963-93. 'Theidea of producing a 30-year history of the University this year was first suggested by Sir Q. W. Lee, chairman of the University Council, and was fully supported by the Vice-Chancellor,' says Dr. Alice Ng. 'Sir Q. W. has also expressed keen interest and concern all through the project, and has written a foreword for the publication,' Dr. Ng continues. 'Otherpersonages who have sent us forewords or congratulatory messages include Mr. Christopher Patten, the current Chancellor, Sir Y. K. Kan, the Pro-Chancellor, and Sir Robert Black, governor of Hong Kong from 1958 to 1964 and our founding Chancellor. Vice-Chancellor Kao also contributed an article on his vision of the University as it enters into its fourth decade.' Herself an expert on Hong Kong history, Dr. Ng is also the author of the first chapter of the book, which depicts how three private post-secondary institutions overcame difficulties to win degree- granting status and become foundation colleges of the second university in Hong Kong. 'Many interesting anecdotes were uncovered as I dug into the government's archives. I've also had the opportunity to interview Sir Robert Black in the UK this summer to get a better understanding of the events leading to the establishment of the University,' she says. As editor of the book, Dr. Ng came across some difficulty when trying to coordinate the contents of the different chapters. The authors were writing about the same period and recounting the same events to illustrate their points. Some overlapping is therefore inevitable. Several authors' meetings were convened and we tried to reduce as much repetition as we could. The same issuemay appear in more than 6