Bulletin Winter 1978

and the Conferment of an Honorary Degree I was not consulted on the name and it was given to the University before the University was formally established. The Fulton Commission, of which I was a member, and which advised the Hong Kong Government to establish the University, did not go into the naming of the University at all. Nevertheless, as I look back over the last fifteen years, more and more I feel the name is proper and appropriate, although it has indeed been subjected to different interpretations and a good deal of misunderstanding. The name suggests to some people that only Chinese should be used in every activity within the University. In fact, the Ordinance of the University does lay down the provision that the Chinese language be made the "principal medium of instruction"; accordingly, three quarters of all our courses have been and are being taught in Chinese, with the remaining quarter taught in English, Japanese, French, German and Italian. But to expect our University graduates to be proficient only in the Chinese language is absurd. Language is a tool of vital importance to a student, and we expect each and every one of our students to develop an adequate capacity to be at least bilingual—to choose a non-Chinese language that would become a necessary part of his life-long equipment. Another common interpretation given to the name of our University is that the word Chinese means Chinese culture, thus implying that the University is a university of Chinese culture. Of cours university can be separated from its national setting. Thus, all universities established in China or by overseas Chinese are Chinese universities, just as all univer- sities in the United Kingdom are British universities, in France French universities and so on. Furthermore, all universities have the obligation to deal with knowledge and cultures of whatever origin. Hence every university is a bridge between its own national culture and other cultures. There is nothing unique about that. Then what is so unique abut The Chinese University of Hong Kong? First of all it goes without saying that we are a modern university with all its necessary attributes. But what is unique is that we have dedicated ourselves to a special mission, namely, the introduction and development of Chinese data into each and every one of the academic disciplines. This special mission is of tremendous importance to us for it will enable our teaching staff to render their teaching materials more relevant to our social needs, to advance the existing frontiers of knowledge, and to make original contributions to the theories and p inciples of various scien es. In a nutshell, Th Chinese University of Hong Kong is the university that seeks to include a Chinese dimension in all academic disciplines. The University motto reads a quotati character “ ” the same as the second character of the name of the University, denotes all academic disciplines. Thus the motto reinforces the proper meaning of the name of our University. While, as I said before, all universities established in China or by Chinese overseas are Chinese universities, ours is The Chinese University, with a capital T, in order to put into sharp focus the special mission of this University. Having said all that, I must express my profound and everlasting gratitude to the Hong Kong Government University and letting it completely alone to work out its own destiny, standing ready to help only when necessary, A question very frequently put to me in recent months is what has given me the most satisfaction in looking back over the last fifteen years. The answer may be given in many different ways, each with equal truth. The one that comes closest to my heart is that over the last fifteen years the university community of the world has accorded due recognition to The Chinese University of Hong Kong and holds high expectation for its attainments. Now that I am leaving Hong Kong soon, I must admit a heavy feeling of sadness in parting with my colleagues, my staff, my students and alumni, and my friends, all of whom are very dear to me. As far as the University is concerned, the foundation has been solidly laid and I have nothing but full confidence in its future. Professor Ma Lin is an ideal choice for the new leadership and he will always have my full sup- port, and I know the same will be given him by the Government, the community, the University Council, and all alumni, staff and students in the University. God bless you all. 7