2016 marks the 35th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).  Over 1,800 alumni, Faculty staff and guests from different sectors joined the celebratory Gala Dinner on 25 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, to reunite and share fond memories of the past 35 years. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of The Nethersole School of Nursing and The School of Pharmacy, as well as the 15th anniversary of The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care.

It was a full house of distinguished guests from the Government, local and overseas institutions, as well as from the fields of medicine, business and media.  Former Deans of the Faculty of Medicine and alumni were also gathered together to celebrate this meaningful occasion.

(From left) Prof. Anthony CHAN, Chairman of the 35th Anniversary Steering Committee; Prof. Eng-kiong YEOH, Director of The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care; Prof. Sek-ying CHAIR, Director of The Nethersole School of Nursing; Prof. Sydney CHUNG；Prof. Arthur LI; Prof. Joseph SUNG, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK; Dr. Wing-man KO, Secretary for Food and Health, HKSAR Government; Dr. Norman LEUNG, Council Chairman of CUHK; Prof. Francis CHAN, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Prof. Teik E OH; Prof. Tai-fai FOK, Pro-Vice-Chancellor CUHK; Prof. Joan ZUO, Director of School of Pharmacy; Prof. Wai-yee CHAN, Director of School of Biomedical Sciences and Prof. Zhi Xiu LIN, Acting Director of School of Chinese Medicine officiate the kick off and toasting ceremony. 

The Guest of Honour Dr. Wing-man KO, Secretary for Food and Health, HKSAR Government, commended the contributions of the Faculty, ‘Over the past 35 years the Faculty has been a pillar of Hong Kong healthcare system, making remarkable contribution to healthcare and health science locally, nationally and internationally. The Government regards the Faculty as its most important partner in healthcare service, delivery and vanguard of healthcare quality in training and development of healthcare professionals as well as in policy, research, advocacy and development.’

Renowned scientist in gastroenterology, Prof. Joseph SUNG, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK and Mok Hing Yiu Professor of Medicine, shared the story of development of the Faculty – from the first cohort of 60 MBChB students in 1981 to now becoming world’s top institute. He listed the contributions of the Faculty in changing clinical practices and breakthroughs in clinical and basic science researches and recalled the difficult time during SARS outbreak.

He reminded the Faculty to keep up the good work and strive for greater success, ‘Today while we are celebrating our academic achievement and enjoying the reunion of 35 years of medical graduates, let us not forget that we still have a long road ahead of us.  We are earnestly waiting for the construction of a CUHK-owned and -run medical centre where we hope to provide a new model of healthcare service, providing affordable and top quality medical care.  We are embarking on new pedagogy in medical education using e-learning and at the same time strengthening our teaching on medical ethics.  We promise to scale new heights and take the Medical Faculty to the next level of excellence in the years to come.’

Being a 1988 MBChB graduate as well as the first CUHK alumnus appointed as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Francis CHAN, in particular, paid tribute to the founding Dean of the Faculty Prof. Gerald CHOA, ‘Over the past three and a half decade, the Faculty of Medicine has made numerous achievements in education, research and humanitarian service which are recognised locally, nationally and globally. There is a Chinese saying “Drinking at a rivulet, stopped to consider its source.” Thanks to late Prof. Gerald Choa who led teams of dream builders laying a strong foundation and leaving a rich legacy that enables the Faculty to thrive and flourish.’

Charity auction features a traditional Chinese painting by Prof. Philip Chiu, with inscription by Prof. Joseph Sung

A traditional Chinese flowers-and-birds painting drawn by Prof. Philip CHIU, Professor of the Department of Surgery and Assistant Dean (External Affairs) of the Faculty, with calligraphy from the hand of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joseph SUNG, was put up for charity auction at the Gala Dinner.

Prof. CHIU has been under the tutelage of Chao Shao-ang, a master of the Lingnan School. The subject of his painting is a black paradise flycatcher with a long tangerine-coloured tail perching on the branch of a kapok tree blossoming with red flowers.  He explained kapok trees are generally taller than other trees, implying that the Faculty of Medicine will shoot above other medical schools in terms of teaching and research quality. Paradise flycatchers have long tail streamers, symbolizing longevity. In all, he wishes that the Faculty of Medicine will continue to prosper for a very long time.

Prof. SUNG’s inscription comes from the classical medical encyclopedia Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang: ‘A great doctor treats the state; an average doctor treats the patients; and a below-average doctor treats the diseases.’ Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang was written by Sun Simiao, a famous doctor in the Tang dynasty.  He hopes to encourage medical students to have a broader perspective -- look beyond individual patients to care for the well-being of the society as a whole.

Mr. Charlie LEE, Chairman of The Charlie Lee Charitable Foundation bided the painting at HKD 360,000 and the money will be used to enrich the Gerald Choa Memorial Fund for medical education of the Faculty.

(Centre) Mr. Charlie LEE, Chairman of The Charlie Lee Charitable Foundation bided a traditional Chinese flowers-and-birds painting at HKD 360,000. The painting was drawn by Prof. Philip CHIU (right), Professor of the Department of Surgery and Assistant Dean (External Affairs) of the Faculty, with calligraphy from the hand of Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joseph SUNG. The money will be used to enrich the Gerald Choa Memorial Fund for medical education of the Faculty. 

Besides the charity auction, the dinner also featured performance of students.  A group of students from different majors performed singing and dancing to convey gratitude to teachers and the Faculty for their care and guidance.  The Faculty Tee student performers were wearing on the night is a gift of thought.  It was a winning design from 23 pieces of work in a competition initiated by students. It took nine months and 700 students to pick as the birthday gift for the Faculty.

A group of students wearing Faculty Tee perform singing and dancing to convey gratitude to teachers and the Faculty for their care and guidance.

A group of students wearing Faculty Tee perform singing and dancing to convey gratitude to teachers and the Faculty for their care and guidance.

It was a joyful night for alumni, and many of them came with their spouse and children who are now also studying at Faculty of Medicine.  Photos of their happy old days in school were displayed at the venue. There was a ‘mobile-selfie’ session at the Dinner and guests were very excited to take selfies and uploaded onto an online platform where the photos were projected onto big screens to share the joyful moments.

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joseph SUNG and host of dinner Ms. Akina FONG take a mobile selfie.

(Left) Prof. Francis CHAN and guest join the mobile selfie session to capture the memorable occasion.

New Faculty logo reminds physicians that ‘We are the Privileged ones’ to serve the patients

It is not difficult to spot the new Faculty logo in the venue.  The new logo has been in use since 2013. It consists of two overlapping apricot leaves, bringing a refreshing vivacity to the Faculty’s visual identity.  One of the leaves in the logo is purple—the Faculty’s signature colour; the other one is green, symbolizing youth and vigour of the Faculty.

The idea of the logo came from Prof. Francis CHAN and he explains, ‘The two apricot leaves have another connotation on top of the medical field. The pronunciation of apricot (杏) is akin to that of the word “fortunate” (幸) in Chinese. This is a subtle reminder to all of us at the Faculty that it is a privilege to be able to devote ourselves to the practice of medicine to serve people. Apart from appreciating the opportunity given by the University, we should make use of our expertise to pay back to society for the greater good of the people.’

As part of the 35th anniversary celebration, an anniversary logo is designed to commemorate this special occasion. In addition to using the Faculty colors of purple and green, the concept of LEAF is applied in the anniversary logo to signify the meaning of ‘Growth, Nurturing and Full of Life’.

About 35th anniversary celebrations

Established in 1981, the 35-year-old Faculty of Medicine has flourished and grown over the years, becoming Asia’s top medical school and world’s top young institute.

The Faculty now has five schools of various disciplines and churning out groundbreaking medical discoveries as well as graduates of exceptional talents who have put it on par with its international and local counterparts.

Guests take photo in front of the Faculty logo with medic and surgeon bears.

Guests take photo in front of the Faculty logo with medic and surgeon bears.