Newsletter No. 67

CUHK Newsletter No. 67 4th April 1995 5 Long Service Award Evakes Many Memories Several recipients of this year's Long Service Award turn nostalgic as they reminisce about their experiences as well as their feelings of having worked for CUHK for over a quarter of a century. Li Wai-kee Depa r tment of Chemi s t ry Chung Chi chemistry majors of class 1970 with their teachers. Of the staff members seated in the second row, C, M. Chung (left 2), S. W. Tam (left 3), myself (left 4 ), S. P. So (right 4), O. W. Lau (right 3), and T. L. Chan (right 2) have since then been with the University for over 25 years. Ten of the students/ demonstrators in the picture have also obtained Ph.D degrees since. Ch i u Kam-wai Depa r tment of Biology The photo was taken in 1981 during the inauguration of the office bearers of the University's Biology Society and of the biology societies of Chung Chi and New Asia. Mr. Chan King- ming (right), then president of the CUHK Biology Society, now lecturer in biochemistry, presented a souvenir flag to me (left) after the ceremony. I was then the officiating officer at the cermony. Vi ncent Chen Bu i l d i ngs Of f i ce I thought I would work for five years here, never 25. After the interview for my appointment, the head of the Government Building Services Department, who sat on the University's selection panel, rang me in the evening and suggested that I should join his office rather than leave the government service for the University. As I bade farewell to the Director of Water Supplies for whom I was working, he also asserted that I would soon get tired of academia and return to him. I was offered apparently more enterprisingjobs at different points of my career. But somehow I have continued here, with no regrets. I guess it was for the support given to me by my colleagues, the occasional encouragement by the administration which made me feel my service was appreciated and needed, and the unique campus which I had helped to create and where I have lived, learned, laboured, loved, and raised three children. People regard me as a workaholic. I normally spend 10 to 11 hours a day, at least six days a week, almost every week in the year on my work. This job can no doubt satisfy my appetite for work. Although the pressure and stress of work is much higher here than it was when I was in the government service, there is correspondingly greaterjob satisfaction and there are always new heights to climb. Amidst anxieties and frustrations, joyous occasions abound, like finding myself among the first few staff members to be accorded the outstanding service award by the founding vice-chancellor, like securing a facility, a land area, or a capital project for the University, like bringing to fruition a construction project or a grand function, like seeing the campus survive a rainstorm or typhoon.... I am most pleased that looking back now on such a long service, I am able to see it unblemished by anything like fraud, bribery, major breakdowns in services or damages and loss through negligence or incompetence in the Buildings Office. This I owe much to the support of good colleagues, many of whom are not just work associates but also great friends who are a joy to meet and converse with every day. Anybody can build a campus and organize an office, but not everybody delights in the task or reaps its harvest. As Arthur Guiterman said, 'You find the rosebush full of thorns, I find the thornbush full of roses.' On the late Dr. Choh-Ming Li's visit in 1982 after his retirement from vice-chancellorship. (From left: myself, Mrs. Li, Dr. Li, my wife.) Thomas C.W. Ma k Depa r tment of Chemi s t ry My grandfather was a carpenter in Heshan county in Guangdong province. Since his emigration to Hong Kong to work for a local shipping company, our family has had roots in Hong Kong for four generations. My father graduated from Queen's College and earned his living by setting up a small business. I received my primary and secondary education at Wah Yan College, Hong Kong. My interest in chemistry developed when I studied the subject in Form Six under the inspiring tutelage of Dr. Chang Hson-mou. I matriculated in 1957 and soon left for Canada for my university education. Only later did I learn, with great emotion, that my father had invested in me almost all his life-long savings. In the 12 years that followed, I studied and worked in North America, got married and had two daughters. All the while my parents urged me to return and look for an academic position in Hong Kong. In 1969, Dr. Daniel Y. Chang, head of the Chemistry Department in New Asia College, responded favourably to my inquiry, and thus at The Chinese University of Hong Kong began a new chapter in my career. In dealing with all matters relating to teaching, research and administration, I have taken pains to work hard while adhering to the adage: 'Do not do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you.' Looking back after a quarter of a century, I feel most gratified with the harmonious relationship with my colleagues, our joint successes in bringing up groups of budding scholars, and the vibrant research atmosphere in the Department of Chemistry. Ma r t i n H.S. Lau Depa r tment of Physics This picture shows a farewell party held in 1970 at the Faculty of Science, United College, Caine Lane, Hong Kong. I was then president of the Science Society, sitting in the middle of the front row among the 1969-70 graduates. It is a source of pride and joy for me to note that this year these graduates will be celebrating the silver jubilee of their graduation. Chan Tze- lock Depa r tment of Chemi s t ry The Chinese University is many things to many people. To me, it is indeed a place where, in the words of Chaucer, one 'wolde gladly lerne and gladly teche'. Of the many delights associated with my 25 years of learning and teaching here, I would single out the quality of our students. We have been able to attract some of the most gifted and promising potential chemists from both the Chinese and English streams of secondary schools in Hong Kong. It is great fun to watch them grow and become prominent figures in the world of chemistry, and respected citizens of our community. Knowing that I have played a role in their intellectual development is the best reward of my professional life!