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On March 19, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) and the Shenzhen Government signed a memorandum of understanding on collaboration upon the MoU between CUHK and Shenzhen in 2006, which promoted the further collaboration in education, science research and development, and technology transfer. The official ground-breaking ceremony of the CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute Building was held on the same day. To witness the launch of construction work, over a hundred of Hong Kong and Shenzhen officials, and representatives from the academia officiated at the ceremony.

Professor Lawrence J. Lau, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK, mapped out a Ten-Year Vision Statement in early 2006. In its Strategic Plan 2006, five major research areas have been selected and the University strives to complement this breadth of scholarship with focus on them. Two State Key Laboratories had been set up since 2006; two new research institutes will be established in Shenzhen by CUHK. Professor Lau thanked for the generous support of the Shenzhen Government towards the University, and believed it would be a milestone for the Hong Kong-Shenzhen cooperation.

CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute, the first research base to be established in the mainland by CUHK, is sited at Shenzhen Virtual University Science Park. On completion at the end of 2010, the 25,000 square meters building of the Institute would serve as a research and training center, providing various degree and non-degree courses in the fields of engineering, management and health care. The Institute will become a centre for collaborative projects with Shenzhen companies, enabling research achievements to be transformed into products.

CUHK is indebted to benefactors for their continuous and generous support to research areas. The University looks forward to partnering with benefactors in further pursuit of excellence.
 

A ground-breaking ceremony was held on 17 December by The Chinese University of Hong Kong to kick off the construction of Morningside College, one of its newest colleges. Officiating at the ceremony were Dr. Gerald L. Chan, member of the Planning Committee for Morningside College and Director of the Morningside Foundation; Mr. Ronnie C. Chan, Director of the Morningside Foundation.

Morningside College was created with generous gifts from the Morningside Foundation which was set up by the Chan Family. CUHK Vice-Chancellor Professor Lawrence J. Lau is grateful for the support it received, including the generous donations from the Si Yuan Foundation and The Starr Foundation.

"At Morningside College, we seek to nurture the intellect of students who are all too accustomed to being asked merely to proffer text-book answers," said Dr. Gerald L. Chan, "We want students to be prepared for the future they will face by being guided to think logically, critically, and creatively."

Overseas study and service activities conducted by students will also be an important feature of the Morningside College experience. "Students at Morningside College will be encouraged not just to learn about the world but to serve it," remarked Mr. Ronnie C. Chan, "Not only will the world be a better place for their efforts, but they themselves will live more meaningful, satisfying lives."

The College is expected to accept its first students in the fall of 2010, and will accommodate a total of 300 students-in-residence each year at equilibrium. Students will reside and dine in the College, as will the College Master. Professor Sir James A. Mirrlees, 1996 Nobel Laureate in Economics, will serve as founding Master of the College. "The College is not only for learning, though that is a great thing," Professor Mirrlees observed. "It will also open the way to independent ideas and creativity. All our students have that potential. We mean to release it."

The ground-breaking ceremony of the construction of S.H. Ho College was held on 15 December 2008. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Ho Tzu-cho, David, Chairman of The S.H. Ho Foundation and Dr. Ho Tsu-leung, Director of The S.H. Ho Foundation. In attendance were about 60 members of the University and supporters of the College including Sir and Lady Lee Quo-wei. This new "home" for the students is expected to be completed after two years.
 

S.H. Ho College was established with generous donations from The S.H. Ho Foundation which was set up by the Ho Family. "We very much embrace the same collegiate ideal as The Chinese University of Hong Kong and enthusiastically support the establishment of the new S.H. Ho College," said Dr. Ho Tzu-cho, David. "We consider The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the S.H. Ho College as our long-term partners in cultivating young minds who are keen to learn, share and contribute to society in times of bloom and adversity."

The College is expected to accept its first cohort of students in the fall of 2010, and will accommodate a total of 600 students on a fully residential basis. All S.H. Ho College students as well as the Master will reside and dine in the College. Professor Sun Sai-ming, Samuel, Master Designate of S.H. Ho College, said. "S.H. Ho College will strive to provide a homely setting, so that its students and teachers can learn, develop, and grow together in a caring, supportive, interacting, and stimulating environment, like a seed in fertile soil which germinates, grows, develops, and flourishes."

CUHK and the College are also grateful for the munificent support from the Wei Lun Foundation, Ho Tim Foundation, Chan Chun Ha Charitable Trust, Wu Yee Sun Charitable Foundation and Young Chi Wan Foundation for its development.