Newsletter No. 93

C U H K Newsletter 4 No. 93 19th September 1996 The University Bursar is Retiring Goodbye, Mr. Gilkes... A young David Gilkes, a chartered accountant with a master's degree in history from Oxford University, came to Hong Kong in early 1967. Both he and his German wife thought they would like a life away from London for a few years. Little did they imagine that a growing attachment with The Chinese University and life in Hong Kong would keep them here for 30 years. Mr. Gilkes joined as Assistant Registrar (Finance) at a time when the Bursary and the Registry formed one unit. He took over as University Bursar in 1975, and is one of the few on campus who can lay claim to the distinction of having worked with all four vice- chancellors of The Chinese University. N o w that October draws near, and with it his time to retire, what does he consider to be his major contribution to the University? While he jokingly says that others are in a better position to judge, he believes his ability to make impartial and sound decisions, and thus ensure non-controversial management of University funds, has been his major contribution. 'I suppose the fact that I was somebody from overseas enabled m e to look at problems from a slightly different angle,' he says. He is of the view that research and academic pursuits should be foremost in a university rather than financial problems, and his aim has always been to keep financial matters in the background. This has not been easy in a university with nearly 12,000 students, over 5,000 employees, 120 buildings and an annual budget of nearly H K $ 3 billion. This inevitably means that the University's finances are scrutinized by a battery of auditors and other interested parties both inside and outside the University. The financial demands — whether from colleges, faculties, or research institutes — are formidable, and to determine priorities is not an easy task,' says Mr. Gilkes.'Ifeel I have played some small part in assisting the University in making cost- effective and helpful decisions towards its development.' The Recent New Systems As the University grows, Mr. Gilkes has made a conscious effort to keep pace with new developments and update the financial administration. Prominent among the new developments are the one-line budget and the resultant new accounting system, both of which have radically changed the work patterns within the bursary. 'Thenew systems are still being developed,' Mr. Gilkes says, 'and unfortunately I won't be able to see all of them through. But I am satisfied that a good deal of the ground work has been laid.' He goes on to explain that one objective of the one-line budget is to give more financial responsibility to the departments, and this means more work for them too. A completely new unit was set up in the bursary to take care of its implementation, and all the staff concerned accept this as a great challenge. 'Change is not always welcome, but every organization needs to evolve. One of the great things about introducing new systems is that it motivates staff, which is very essential to their continued interest in and enjoyment of their work.' Mr. Gilkes considers himself lucky to have good, dedicated staff to bring the new developments into existence. 'While w e haven't finished implementing them, we are quite close toit,'he says. The Staff Superannuation Scheme Another system that has undergone significant change is the University's staff superannuation scheme, which Mr. Gilkes rates as the toughest ofall the problems that have hit the University during his 21 years of bursarship. He explains that the 1995 scheme was brought on to a very large extent by circumstances that were outside the University's control.'Itis to the credit of the University staff, who have been on the receiving end of the changes made, that they gave broad support to the University. The fact that we were the first tertiary institution in the territory to make the change won us some congratulatory remarks from the government and the University Grants Committee.' Mr. Gilkes remembers that when the University last changed the superannuation scheme in 1983 he had hoped that they would not need to change it again, for it was a torturous process. It had taken two years at that time to amalgamate two different sorts of funds. While Mr. Gilkes hopes there won't be any further changes for at least the next five years, he realistically acknowledges that the Mandatory Provident Fund that the government is contemplating regulating is likely to affect the current superannuation scheme. Life on the Campus The Gilkes have lived on the University campus since 1972, and have found the accommodation and the environment very conducive to raising a family. H o w does he rate the facilities available on campus? 'Generally speaking, the campus facilities are good. However there have been and will certainly continue to be space problems, whether it be for additional classrooms, research facilities, or staff amenities such as a shallow swimming pool for young learners or a staff club next to the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall. The latter would be a good focal point for social life on campus and would also attract more people to the cultural activities taking place in the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall. But for financial reasons, this has never come to pass.' Mr. Gilkes is incidentally chairman of the management committee of the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall, and his efforts to encourage cultural activities there have not been greeted by as enthusiastic and big an audience as he would have wished. Mr. Gilkes also feels that student facilities could be improved, particularly in the hostels, and he is glad to see that air-conditioners and computer facilities are being installed in most of the hostels. 'There is however one problem in the University which must receive continuous attention, and that is maintenance. Some of the University's facilities are alright, but some leave a lot to be desired. This is particularly important in view of the fact that many University buildings are over two decades old, and need extensive upgrading.' Memories Will Linger Mr. and Mrs. Gilkes will go in October on what he calls a three- week 'retirement trip' along the old silk route in China with the friends of The Chinese University Arts M u s e u m, before departing for England in November. In retirement Mr. and Mrs. Gilkes plan to do a lot of travelling and of course hope to revisit Hong Kong on and off, for they leave behind m a ny friends and many fond memories. Mr. Gilkes has been actively involved in the community as a Justice of the Peace, and he received an M.B.E. in the Queen's birthday honours list 1995 in recognition of his educational services to Hong Kong. He is also the president of the Royal Asiatic Society (Hong Kong Branch). Mrs. Gilkes has been working at the German-Swiss International School for the past 15 years, and both are also very engaged with their church. While the parting will be very sad, Mr. Gilkes philosophically says, 'Life has to go on. Change is a challenge, and we are preparing ourselves for it.’ With these words he concluded the interview with the CUHK Newsletter:' Iwould like to thank all those who have supported me, and hope that they will keep in contact and come and see us.' Au revoir, Mr. Gilkes. 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Those who wish to be included on the mailing list please contact the Newsletter direct . 截 稿 日 期 Deadlines for Contributions 期數 Issue no. 出版日期 Issue date 截稿日期 Deadline for contributions 94 4.10.96 18.9.96 95 19.10.96 3.10.96 96 4.11.96 17.10.96 97 19.11.96 1.11.96 98 4.12.96 15.11.96 99 19.12.96 3.12.96 100 4.1.97 13.12.96 101 19.1.97 2.1.97 香港中文大學出版事務處出版 編輯：梁其汝 助理編輯：李琪 蔡世彬 陳偉珠 製作：黎寶翠 梅潔媚 Published by the Publication Office , The Chinese University of Hong Kong Editor : Amy K. Y . Leung Assistant Editors : Lawrence Choi , Piera Chen , Shalini Bahadur Graphic Designers : Stella P . C. Lai, May K . M . Mui 印刷：鮑思高印刷有限公司 Printing: Don Bosco Printing Co. Ltd.