The Quest For Excellence: A History Of The Chinese University Of Hong Kong From 1963 To 1993 History Of The Chinese University Of Hong Kong From 1963 To 1993 Mai Chin Chung Ti Ta Hsüeh

This is an informal history of The Chinese University of Hong Kong from its inception in 1963 to its thirtieth anniversary in 1993. The founding of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1963 marked a new era in the development of higher education in Hong Kong. It marked the birth of a second university in the territory, using both Chinese and English as the medium of instruction, thus providing greater opportunities for brilliant young men and women in Hong Kong to receive a university education. The new university embodied the unique educational experiences and ideals of its three constituent Colleges, namely, the Chinese Confucian humanism of New Asia College, the Western Christian spirit of Chung Chi College and the Hong Kong oriented pragmatism of United College. The goals of the University, at the time of its founding, aimed at the preservation and enrichment of Chinese culture, the exploration of modern Western knowledge and the integration of the cultures of East and West. Meanwhile, the University was also committed to nurturing talents in the service of a rapidly changing Hong Kong which was on the threshold of developing into a modern metropolis. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) was officially inaugurated on 17 October 1963. Its origin, however, can be traced back to the late 1940s when the three Colleges - New Asia, Chung Chi and United - first appeared as private colleges set up by refugee scholars from China. It took almost fifteen years for these colleges to fight their way to university status and to become constituent Colleges of the second university in Hong Kong, using Chinese as the principal medium of instruction. This was an important breakthrough in the cultural and educational development of Hong Kong, as British tradition for long was to maintain no more than one government-supported university in a governed-territory, and English was used as the official language and medium of instruction. This book is the English version, but not exactly a translation, of the University's thirtieth commemorative volume on the history of the University, published in Chinese, in September 1993. Front Cover Spline Back Cover Half Title Page Full Title Page ISBN 962-201-606-5 Contents Foreword by the Chancellor (The Rt. Hon. Christopher PATTEN) Foreword by the Pro-Chancellor (Sir Yuet-keung KAN) Foreword by Chairman of the University Council (Sir Quo-wei LEE) Congratulatory Message from the Founding Chancellor Sir (Robert BLACK) Congratulatory Message from the Third Chancellor (Lord MACLEHOSE of Beoch) Congratulatory Message from the Fifth Chancellor (Lord WILSON of Tillyorn) Preface (Alice N. H. Lun NG) Acknowledgements 1 The Founding (Alice N. H. Lun NG) 1. New Demands for Higher Education in Hong Kong 2. Founding and Early Difficult Days of the Colleges 3. Arrival of International Assistance, 1953-1956 4. Striving for Due Recognition 5. Establishment of the University, 1959-1963 Summary Remarks 2 A New Society, New Knowledge,and a New University (Bernard Hungkay LUK) A Systems Approach The Inputs Values Knowledge and Skills Teachers Students Finance Material Resources The University in Operation Curricular Structure and Evaluation of Student Learning Curricular Contents Teaching Materials and Methods Student Counselling and Student Life Research Administration The Output from CUHK Graduates Conclusion 3 Institutional Changes (Tak Sing CHEUNG) A. The Administrative System (1) Administrative Structure during the Initial Period . (2) The Centralization and Unification of Administration in the Seventies (3) Working Party on Education Policy and University Structure (4) The Second Fulton Report (5) The Responses from the Colleges and the Re-draft of The Chinese University Ordinance (6) From Administrative lntegration to Decentralization B. The Academic System (1) Student Recruitment and Disputes over the Four or Three Year Degree Programmes Fig. 1. The Percentage of Students Studying in Chinese Secondary Schools (2) The Faculty of Medicine Episode (3) Controversy over the Provisional Acceptance Scheme (4) The No. 3 Report of the Education Commission (5) Abolition of the Degree Examination and Adoption of a Flexible Credit Unit System 4 Chinese Studies and Cultural Integration (Sze-kwang LAO) History in Retrospect (1) Environment in Which the University Was Founded (2) Cultural Background of the Foundation Colleges and Their Cultural Work (3) The Aims and Ideals of The Chinese University Research and Academic Activities (1) The Institute of Chinese Studies Research Plans and Publications Visiting Scholar Programmes Seminars International Conferences The Art Gallery (2) Chinese Medicinal Material Research Centre Financial Support and Facilities Research and Achievements (1) The Establishment of the Chinese Medicines Database (2) Authentication of Medicinal Herbs (3) "Fingerprinting" Herbal Compositions (1) Contraceptives (2) Abortifacient Proteins (3) Liver Diseases (4) Toxicity of Chinese Medicines (5) Ginseng (6) Tissue Culture of Medicinal Plants (1) Sedative Agents (2) Vasoactive Agents (3) Scientific Methods in the Study of Chinese Medicines International Collaborations and International Conferences External Services Research and Teaching in Faculties and Departmentsin Relation to Cultural Synthesis (1) Ph.D. Programme in Chinese Studies (2) General Education Programme (3) Related Programmes in Other Departments and Faculties Reviews and Looking Ahead 5 Moving with the Times: the University and Hong Kong (Chong Chor LAU) I. Framework II. Background Table 1. Hong Kong Society Prior to the Establishment of The Chinese University of Hong Kong A. Rapid Increase in Population B. Industrialization C. Living Standards D. Government Role E. Education Structure Ill. Integration A. Staff Development Programme B. Integrated Teaching Method C. Setting up Research Institutes Table 2. Hong Kong and The Chinese University 1963-1973 a. Economic research b. Social research c. Policy research IV. Innovation A. From Functional Integration to Structural Integration B. The Implementation of the Principle of "Academic Participation in the Government of the University" C. From Integration of Courses to Integration of Departments Table 3. Hong Kong and The Chinese University 1973-1983 V. Development Table 4. Hong Kong and The Chinese University 1983-1993 6 Overseas Academic Links andInternational Exchanges (WONG Kin Yuen) 1. Introduction 2. From "The Meeting of East-West Cultures" to "A World Spirit" 3. lnterflow of New Knowledge 4. Faculty Links and Academic Visits 5. Student Exchange Programmes 6. Yale-China Association and the Asian Studies Programme 7. International Curriculum Design 8. Conclusion 7 The Students (KWOK Siu-tong) I. Introduction II. Individual Background of the Students Ill. The Social Context in which the Chinese University Students Have Grown Up IV. Change in the Environment of Studies V. Campus Life and Student Activities VI. Student Participation in University Administration VII. Student Movements Conclusion 8 Service to Society (Hon-ming YIP) The Concept of "Social Service" Links between The Chinese University and the Hong Kong Community Reaching out to Society: The Department of Extramural Studies Serving the Sector of Education Serving Business Circles The Applicability of Research Projects Advisory and Professional Services Cultural Activities The University Curriculum and Society Dynamic Balance and Breakthrough 9 Friends of the University (Mayching KAO and Chung Kee YEUNG) One Two Three Four Five Table 1. University Buildings and Their Donors Six 10 The Alumni: A Composite Portrait (Sonia S. H. NG) I. Introduction - A New University Evolves II. A Historical Overview - From Refugee to Citizen Ill. Social Background of the Alumni IV. The Alumni's Careers Table 1. Alumni Survey (April 1992) Table 2. Major Occupations and Average Income of CUHK Graduates (1960s-1993) Table 3. Changing of Jobs A. Higher Education and Academic Research B. Education C. Journalism and Mass Media D. Music and Fine Arts E. Business and Industry F. Government and Public Service G. Religious Education and Service V. The Overseas Alumni VI. The Chinese University - A Channel of Upward Social Mobility VII. The Special Qualities of the Alumni A. Concern for China and Hong Kong B. Loyalty and Affection for the Alma Mater C. Close Links among Alumni D. Continuous Quest for Improvement Table 4. Further Education or Training Table 5. Advanced Degrees and Professional Qualifications VIII. The Alumni's Evaluation of Their Education Table 6. Looking Back: Connection between Present Job and Field of Studies at College (Major and Minor) Table 7. Looking Back: Connection between Personal Development and Fields of Studies at College (Major and Minor) Table 8. Looking Back: Connection between Personal Development and General Education at College Table 9. Looking Back: Connection between Personal Development and Extracurricular Activities at College Table 10. Looking Back: Gains from College Education Table 11. Suggestions on University Education IX. An Anchor in a Changing World Looking Ahead (Charles K. KAO) Appendices (Leslie Nai-kwai LO) I. Graduates Honoris Causa II. University Leaders Ill. Student Enrolments 1963-1993 IV. Number of Degrees and Diplomas Awarded V. Number of Students of Extramural Courses (1965-1993) VI. Number and Distribution of Full-time Staff (1978-1993) VII. Establishment of Faculties, Departments and Degree Programmes VIII. Establishment of Research Institutes List of Contributors Major References A Chronicle of Events Index (Name Index and Subject Index) Prepared by Paul Chun-kuen KWONG Users' Guide to the Name Index Users' Guide to the Subject Index N1 Names of Persons and Places N2 Organizations and Funds N3 Publications and Documents N4 Conferences, Symposiums and Workshops N5 Unusual Events Subject Index Thirtieth Commemorative Volume On The History Of The University. Ten Chapters Written By Academics And Alumni From Different Disciplines. Constitutes A Multifaceted Review Of The Univeristy's Development From Embryo To Adulthoo -- Preface. Edited By Alice N.h. Lun Ng. English Version, But Not Exactly A Translation, Of The University's Thirtieth Commemorative Volume, Published In Chinese, In September 1993--p. Xxii. Chinese Version Titled: Mai Chin Chung Ti Ta Hsüeh. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 397-398) And Indexes.