Bulletin Autumn 1978

On 7th July, 1978 Dr. Choh-Ming Li, Vice-Chancellor, laid the foundation stone for the University's Basic Medical Sciences Building named after him. The ceremony was presided over by Dr. the Hon. Sir Yuet- keung Kan, Chairman of the University Council. The Choh-Ming Li Building, which marks a new development in professional education at the University, is located at the east end of University Science Centre. This eight-storey building with a total floor area of 80,000 square feet, will house the Departments of Anatomy, Physiology, Pharmacology and Biochemistry, multi-disciplinary laboratories,operating theatre, audio-visual room and administration offices, etc. The Building is expected to be completed in 1981. Sir Yuet-keung Kan's Speech It is a particular pleasure and privilege for me to have the opportunity to address this assembly on this occasion. It is ture that many a foundation stone has been laid, and many a building erected, on this campus but this occasion is a very special one, for we are laying a foundation stone with a twofold me the one hand, it commemorates the eminenteducationalist the inauguration of a new Medical School in Hong Kong. This particular foundation stone therefore serves not only as a milestone for past achievements, but also as a starting point for future endeavours. As to the first of these, the educationalist we pay tribute to has been Vice-Chancellor of this University since its establishment some fifteen years ago. From my years of experience in working with him in the University Council, I could easily speak at great length of his achievements and merits. For the purpose of this short address, however, I propose me to quote two passages which sum up a most distinguished career. The first passage is from the January 1973 issue of Newsweek: "The mission impossible at hand was to transform a group of independent Chinese colleges in Hong Kong into a cohesive 'federal' institution. The Colleges were utterly disparate—philosophically, pedagogically and geographically. But over the next seven years, the ebullient Dr. Li succeeded in centralising curriculum planning and essential services, while preserving much of the individual character of the member colleges. Having acquired the lease of a 333-acre site from Government for the campus, he then managed to raise millions of dollars for building from sources ranging from wealthy Hong Kong businessmen to foundations in the United States". That was a recapitulatio from the citation of the Haas International award conferred by the University of California at Berkeley: “Under your guidance. The Chinese University of Hong Kong is evolving into a unique centre for the study of contemporary China; an institution of higher learning dedicated to enriching Chinese civilization everywhere. It is a glowing tribute to your vision and inspired leadership." Not only has the effort and accomplishment of the Vice-Chancellor manifested itself throughout the University, but his influence has extended far outside this campus. Under his leadership, this University has promoted regionally- and locally-oriented research projects, and produced graduates equipped with a well-blended training in Chinese and Western knowledge and Hong Kong Community. It is in answer to community needs that a Medical School is now being founded on this campus; and it is most befitting that this new building should bear the n me of he outstand ng personality who is about to retire from his office with this University. I understand this new Medical School is not going to be a mere training ground for doctors, but will provide a continuing process of medical education fro courses to continuing education for practising doctors. The undergraduate curriculum will comprise clinical studies to be conducted in the new Teaching Hospital in Shatin, scheduled to be completed in 1983; and pre-clinical courses to be conducted in this Basic Medical Sciences Building. When completed this build ng will house h F culty offices, and h prec Physiology with their respective laboratories,teac building is therefore a significant addition to this campus, and, as I said earlier, a starting point for the new discipline of Medicine. Hence, it is rightly named after the father of this University who has led his child through all these years towards the goal of offeri a d happy retirement; and to wish the new Medical School every success in the future. 11