Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2002

directions. Some major achievements of his vice-chancellorship include the establishment of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management, the School of Chinese Medicine, the School of Public Health, and the reformation and strengthening of many other departments and faculties. He has insisted that teaching and research should be backed by adequate support systems and quality assurance mechanisms. He has striven to improve students' language abilities and their proficiency in Chinese and English; he has worked hard to introduce enhancements to the University's general education programme and college life, so that students can acquire a broader knowledge base and a global vision, and enjoy access to quality leadership training and moral education. During his tenure, the University's research accomplishments have been most remarkable. It has consistently maintained a leadership position among local universities, be it in sponsorship obtained for Areas- of-Excellence projects, funding allocations from the Research Grants Council, research assessment exercises, or competition for student quotas in postgraduate research programmes. The efficiency of its administration and management has also been commended by the University Grants Committee. And particularly worthy of mention is the exemplary leadership Prof. Li has exhibited over the issues of academic freedom and institutional autonomy. In the final analysis, what makes a university first-rate is its excellent teachers and high quality students. To recruit such teachers and students, Prof Li has put in the most painstaking efforts, as a result of which the University has become the first choice of the largest number of secondary school students in recent years. Prof. Li has also dedicated himself to propelling the progress of the University, winning for it the highest amount of government funding for recurrent expenses and well over one billion Hong Kong dollars in donations. Thanks to him the University has enjoyed increasingly stable finances. His vision for the University has led to the construction of new teaching blocks, research buildings, a teaching hotel, the acquisition of a town centre for teaching and learning, and the establishment of a community college with a local partner. The University as we know it today enjoys a good reputation throughout China and internationally. Not only has it forged close links with academic centres of excellence worldwide, it has also reinforced collaboration with industry, business, and social organizations, contributing significantly to the educational, economic, medical, and social developments in Hong Kong. We want to reiterate our grateful thanks to Prof. Li, and look forward to his achieving greater success in his new position as Secretary for Education and Manpower, and making greater contributions to the Hong Kong SAR. Last but not least, on behalf of the University Council and other members of the University, I wish Prof. Li and Mrs. Li health, happiness, and a bright future . 2 8 Chinese University Bulletin Autumn • Winter 2002