Bulletin Number One 1983

my career was made soon after I completed my secondary education. Although I did not enroll in any matriculation course and took a different path instead by learning to be a technician and actually working as such, I had not really lost sight of my aim. That was why I began to study on my own for the CEI Examination while I was a technician, hoping that I might later on be admitted to a graduate school straight away. That was also why the temporary ‘setback, in England could not foil my aspiration. When I came back to Hong Kong in September 1978, I tried very hard, on the one hand, to look for a job so that I could save enough money to further my studies abroad again in a graduate programme which I liked; on the other hand. I explored the possibility of furthering my studies locally. Naturally, The Chinese University, which I admired, was the first that came to my mind. So I wrote to Professor Chen Chih-Fan of the Department of Electronics to enquire about the postgraduate programme. I even took the liberty of going to his office and asked him to read my papers published in England. I did not become a graduate student at the University right away, but I was given a job as demonstrator in the Department. However, I knew at that time that the Department was going to offer a Ph.D. programme in the near future. In September 1980, I registered as a Ph.D. student with Professor Chen Chih-Fan as my Supervisor. I finally became what I longed for five years ago - a student at The Chinese University. In retrospect, the great joy I derived from my two years' study at The Chinese University was inseparable from the institution's academic atmosphere. My Supervisor, Professor Chen, is an open-minded, far-sighted and learned teacher. He never tried to influence my research interest but only showed me the possible directions and helped me to build up my interests in more areas. And when I had achieved some results in my research, he would further enlighten and stimulate me with his brilliant ideas. In a nutshell, I was given ample freedom to conduct my research, but at the same time I was given adequate guidance so that I would not lose my bearings. What benefited me even more was the many t ê te- à -t ê tes with Professor Chen. His emphasis on the creativity of research was truly beneficial to me. He always advised me not to read too many books, something which I could not quite understand at first. Only after I had learned more about the research methods did it dawn on me that he meant learning without thought is labour lost'. Research, after all, involves thinking more than anything else. Apart from the influence of Professor Chen, I have also enjoyed the exchange of views with many friends and fellow-students. I could clearly remember that I came to know more about mathematics through discussion with the Research Assistants and other graduate students of my Department. The precious friendship, developed through academic interaction, was quite unknown to me when I was abroad. I am still nostalgic about the free academic atmosphere of The Chinese University and the congenial human relationship that I have enjoyed there. 1 was reading the biography of the great mathematicia D. Hilbert at the time when I wrote this article. He and other mathematicians like H. Minkowski and A. Hurwitz were often found discussing mathematical problems while strolling under apple trees. This was one of their experiences which I envied. I would think that one day The Chinese University would also witness such wonderful things happening on its campus. With such a short history, The Chinese University is naturally at a disadvantage in terms of facilities and other material resources. However, I believe this is not too important. By upholding the principle of academic freedom and boosting research, our University can surely produce more outstanding young men and contribute even more to society. 10 NEWS