SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST, THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 1950.
MONGKONG UNIVERSITY CONGREGATION
(Continued from Page 3)
Whatever
idea in this very place, in the nity as Colony of Hongkong."
freedom to
the less remember your University is always here to help you in your problems; use her as much in your post-graduate life as you did before.
Some of you are destined to become leaders of your fellow men, others followers. In your lives we do not expect you to accept slavishly and blindly the were taught here, but having been taught also to lessons you think, to discern, to discriminate, and to reason, we are confident that you are equipped to choose live wisely, remembering always the your own way of life. May you
our creed, what of many other equally heroic restoration of the playing field ever our standard of learning, explits perfromed in China; ef and pavilion was largely made surely in this year of grace 1950, lads who fearlessly penetratest possible by the generous help of it is to the advantage of huma-occupied Hongkong: who lived the graduates and special men
whole, that there for months in the hills over- tion
be must
made of the should remain in the Far East looking Kowloon, where one magnificent gift of $35,000 to- on to tell his yet one He then went
institution of higher false step meant certain death at wards the pavilion by Mr and audience, which crowded this learning where freedom of the hands of the enemy.
Mrs Leung Yew. By September Great Hail, how he got the idea. thought still exists, where free- He said that during his studies, dem of expression is not at the I would, however, like to tell next, 80 of our 180 women under while at the College of Medi- mercy of any one political party you of one exploit which has graduates will be able to live in
the new hostel cine in Hongkong, more than 30 and where
being choose hitherto been known to only through the generous gift of one built
years
his one's previously, after
beliefs remains un- very few people. About
the million dollars by Sir Robert Ho school work and lectures, after threatened by an iron
list or middle of 1942 we were visited Tung. The family of the late Mr his book reading, he used to untrammelled by a curtain, beat our headquarters in Kukong Eu Tong-sen have given $50,000 stroll the streets of Hongkong, it of iron or of bamboo. That by an officer of the R.A.F, who for the rehabilitation of The city of Hongkong impressed is the justification of a British was planning a secret mission Gymnasium and as an example
to the Netherland Indies and
of a different type of help. Malaya. At this stage of the should like to refer to the story war such missions had hitherto of the Mace; you have all noticed nover been
allempted in the the vacant stand in front of this Far East; they were in every desk; the mace that of sense of the word penetrating occupy that stand was cunningly
the drend
and hazardous uni hidden in the Library in 1942 by known. One of the reasons for some of the Chinese members of the visit of this officer was recruit
to the staff. There it remained in a dependable com- panion. He
safety until February, 1945, when chose Lau Teng- robbers broke into the library in kee, one of our undergraduates. search
Attainments
Now what of our attainments in the training of good citizens" In practically every profession, in practically
every walk
!
I that humility is the essence of
wisdom.
Lau knew full well the measure scarce and valuable commodity not couched
of paper which was a
pleted. It is therefore fitting that the new School of Engineering and Architecture building, that I shall be opening later this afternoon, should be named after him: thus his memory perpetuated.
will be
Although Dr Sloss departure was a loss, we were very fortunate in securing the ser vices of Dr Ride as his successor. Apart
from his capabilities and personality, is the fact that he has been with the University for more than twenty years, and
uspirations. so knows all
number of
164
It is very pleasing to have with us to-day, the Chancellor of the University of Malaya, the Right Hon. Malcolm MacDonald. 1 warmly welcome him. The Uni- versity of Malaya was inaugura- led on October 8, 1949, on which occasion I had the pleasure of sending a message of greeting to the Chancellor. In that message 1 sajd, in part, the hope that efforts of our two universities we may both play an increasing- ly useful part in the advance-
of learning. and in establishment of understanding, prosperity amongst peace, and the peoples of the Far East."
ment its problems and
women
has thesa
made
"I also express with the united
the
Hongkong University is the university of this British Colony that is mainly supported by the Colony, but the services it rend- ers far beyond our sanall con- lines. It is uniquely situated at the door of China and thus it brings to the people of China the best that British and western culture can offer. Our doors are open to entrants from China, ar well 25 from Hongkong and Malaya. We offer them our facilities freely and we ask for
cordance with the vision of our predecessors. If we succeed in carrying out our aim, we will have done something to foster a mutual appreciation between the inheritors of two of the world's most important cultures. (Ap- plause).
him a great deal then, the or- University in Hongkong.
The second reason, why such derly crowd and the artistie
good progress has been made, is work at every turn or look. Dur-
In closing. I feel I cannot do that the University has many ing his vacations he used to re-
better than quote the message friends not only amongst the turn to his home in Heungshan:
amongst the he said that every time he left
should of another Vice-Chancellor, Sir alumni, but also
John Medley, at the University citizenry of Hongkong. Most Hongkong he felt the difference public life in this Colorty, you
Ho Tune of Melbourne in 1940. It is also notable is Sir Robert and each time he arrived how will find our graduates playing he had to be his own policeman, an, ever increasingly responsi-
my message to you. Speaking 17 who, as you are aware. his own protector. As this hap- ble and honoured part. Their
those who had just graduated he such a magnificent donation for pened year after year he began forebears, many
a women's hostel. The purpose of whom had
said:
... my wishes which are the for which this gift was made is to compare both places, sepa- not had the advantage of n rated
particularly important, with the from one another by a university
University's wishes to you are education, helped
in. the in the customary very welcome increase mere fifty miles, He thought of liberally to found and maintain
students. of the task that lay ahead, the in those days. The mace, alas, glib phrases about wealth, sue- the beautiful streets, the artistic the University; their foresight parks and wondered why and faith is more than justified incredible difficulty of landing was stolen from its hiding place cess and prosperity in all your There are two reasons why the
unseen in Sumatra, of crossing under a pile of old paper, and undertakings. I wish you good University
good Englishmen could accomplish so in the way their sons are ful- undetected enemy infested ter- since then no trace of it has been health, which must increasingly friends. They are. firstly, that nothing in return. This is in ac- much on this barren rock within filing the hopes of their fathers. ritory to Malaya in the corn- found. In an attempt to trace the become one of the most treasured they love this University of ours. seventy or eighty years. He And what I have said of the found that in Hongkong corrup- · Colony of Hongkong,
can be pany of a European, of keeping maker, Colonel L.G. Bird, the of possessions, I wish you courage and secondly, because they be-
lieve in its future, with which to an appointed rendezvous for brother of tion was the exception; things said, in less measure but with
the designer, was and resolution
Short-sighted Policy were quite the reverse in China. equal truth, of China, Malaya their return; he knew full well, written to, and he has spared no face what must come upon us,
the almost inevitable outcome: effort in helping us. After com- and I wish you a wise and tem- When I quoted the figures of After talking over this problem and Borneo. We have every
which will show the numbers of students, it might "open-eyed and unafraid", like municating with
vision with friends.
of whom reason to be extremely many
well. pered proud
many and sailors, he of the high dgeree of leadership British universities in
thousands of members of known silversmiths in England you what were soldiers
you must do as men be thought that I regarded mere learned that good government and public service exhibited by parts of the Empire, he chose in The Times and a few weeks with
other without result, he put a notice and women who charged size as the criterion for a good a trust, that of making a university. That is not so. What in countries like England did our graduates in Malaya and 1
the
follow: community for we want is quality rather than not just happen naturally and would here like to pay tribute the path of service; and no one ago he received a letter from return to
you have gained in this quantity. Moreover, did not
the to this day knows the perils Major Penn-Gaskell of the New, what
the Colony grow up by itself. In to the virile way in which
through which England the same corruption associations of our alumni
that path led Forest, enclosing a cutting from place."
The University is about to The Graphic of December 18, had
foster existed but Englishmen Malaya
Russell of the RAF. amongst our Sq.-Ldr.
Lau Teng-kee of this 1918
publicly loving liberty had changed the graduates the spirit of public and
The cutting depicted our acknowledge
your
law.
only
com- sur- mace, stating it was made by academic status in the service engendered during their University. We can ides
mise what lay "That
at the end of Mappin & Webb and described it munity; in doing so it places a into came
my undergraduate days here.
No statement concerning
their road.
upon "a unique example of the great measure of its reputation in mind," said Dr Sun, “Why could
your hands. I am confident that dur- silversmith's art". we not change it? Why could public service
this trust will not be misplaced (applause).
in
the
re-
The
Ladies and Gentlemen, ing the degree ceremony which is to follow, you will hear the
of our graduates we not imitate the same thing would be complete without and the government. to stopference to the late war. corruption?"
This idea he did not acquire through any course of instruc- tion, but he nurtured it here in Hongkong, during his study of medicine.
What Better Proof? What better proof could one desire than this of the state- ment I made a few minutes ago that a University is something more than a mere teaching in- stitution. It was not what he was taught here that made Dr Sun Yat-sen "give up his pro- fession of curing men and spend his time curing his country": but it was the effect on him of Ja life he shared with others, his teachers and his fellow students. in a British institution of learn- ing in a British Colony. As Father Ryan said in his talk be- fore the Rotary Club last. No- vember, the youth of our educa- tional institutions is "the most :mportant export of our Colony."
of
that quite a lot of equipments has arrived in Hongkong. God alone knows the reason for such delay.
(2) There must be 101s Chinese who are shareholders of the company. I could easily find out what percentage them are Chinese by looking at the shareholders' returns in
of
their file with the Registrar or availing myself of section 98 (1) of the companies ordinance of 1932. But I don't care to take the trouble at the present. Since the Chinese are the main sufferers, they should make their voice heard at the shareholders' meeting.
M. H. TANG.
Bengal,
he gave conference
011
His threats
ax
With this information to hand, Colonel Bird went to the makers
View of the dais during the conferring of degrees at Hongkong University yesterday when the first official Congregation since the war was held. — (Staff Photographer).
way they responded to this veri- Deans presenting to the Chan- and they were able to produce
are
Governor's Speech
After the conferment of de- grees, His Excellency the Chan- | cellor, before declaring the Con- gregation closed, addressed the gathering.
The Recipients The recipients of degrees wer As
Master of Surgery -Kwan Su-yee Bachelor of Science in Engineering -DB Izalt in absential
Bachelor of (posthumously):
Chitu
Arte-Algernon Ho
of
of Hongkong could not afford a vast University with thousands of students, for it must be re-
Wartime degree of Bachelor membered that the greater part Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery- of the cost the University falls, Kwan Kui-lun, Yip Tai-hing. Yue the Government-that is Pui-lam. In absenta-Cheung Ah- hee, Latifah Ghows. Frank Kung. to say, the taxpayers. In fact
Leow Lee Su-luen,
Oy-cheari. there are some critics who say Wong Cheung-chee. To Shiu-youn. that the Government should not Woo Poh-yee. Wong Sau-haan. Yach Seow-tiang, Hans Raj: Posthumously spend so much money on the
-Luke Lim Ban-sing University, but instead should
Wartime degree of Bachelor of spend more on its schools, whet- Science in Engineering Chan_Si- Toe- Pat-sun, Chai her primary or secondary. With hung this view I disagree. It would be cheung, Fong Nai-ching, Hung Shek- !chiu. Kwok Wai-man, Lal King- a short-sighted policy. For one shung. Li Sheung-ngai. Seu Che-tan. thing we need an educational Yeung Yuk-wah, Yue Shiu-lun: In absentia-Lau Yu-chuen, Lee Ah- establishment -of university. poon. Lee Tsam-shun. Leong Hor standing for our teachers, for our sai, Li Hing-shing, John Lim. Tan Khean-yeang, doctors, for our
Tan engineers and Hong-teck. for our architects. Furthermore Woo Kayi. Wong Ting-tsal. Wu Tau- Wei Kuang-mu, Tcheng Pao-king. there should be facilities in in and Yoong Yew Moyne: Hongkong for advanced study, Posthemously-Z. A. Kosakowsky,
Wartime degree of Bachelor of and these only a university can
Ping-jeen. Chen Arts-Ellen Chaw provide. Already it is becoming York-leen. Kwan Yeuk-laan. Amy known abroad that facilities do Lim, Lena Lim Nellie Seu, Zara exist in Hongkong for advanced Suffiad, Taut Shing-cheung. Tu Ka cheung, Yao Pe-chun. In absentia- work in the sciences, as well as Au Kwok-yee, Cheah Siew-on, Chen the arts and Far Eastern studies. Kwun Chin King-chu. Chla Kee- A point worth mentioning in this san Walter Duffield. Fung Kam-to. Yee-hing, La: regard is the visits that we have had from three professors of new-kuen. Leg Kwan yai. Ivew Chinese from British univer- On-seng. Jessie Lim. Lo Shiu-hing. sities. As a result of their visits Tung-king.
Toong Mei-tung. Sim-keng. we are intending to set up In vee-hining Sarah Yaung. Wong this University a joint school of Chung-tai. Lois Wong, Wong Mun- Far Eastern studies in which the hon. Yu Ping-tsung and Yu Shuk- Universities of Oxford, Cam- su bridge and London will take an active part. It is all very well to say that those people of Hong- kong who desire university education should go overseas. Many of them cannot afford it. Therefore I consider that it is the duty of the Colony to provide those facilities within its borders. A proper balance must be struck between education it its highest form, including re search, which 1941
H. E. the Governor said: What | a period of tragedy the world has gone through since the last Con- gregation nine years ago. Although I say this in no sense of self pity.
we in Hongkong were certainly one of the major sufferers. Even to-day in this hall we can see the ruin and de- vastation of war. But though the University had to be abandoned physically in 1941. its spirit carried on and the light of learn ing was not extinguished. This was only made possible by the kindness of our friends in China, who 100k in some of our students, and thus enabled them to con- tinue with their studies. prospect on re occupation. discouraging. but plans were immediately made and in- plemented for a start to be made. The progress at first seemed slow, and as late as 1948, that is only two years ago, I said in an address to the Court that the University was then in the posi- tion that it was in 1916.
Perhaps I was unduly pessi- mistic, for in fact the progress that has been made is quite re- markable. As an instance of this might quote the figures of the
number of students. In
The Was
means a
Own
univer
of the original. there were 572; in 1948 507; insity, and education at the lower
en-
1949, 620, This number for 1949
table test of fire is at one and cellar for graduation those who | photographs the same time the brightest and have been found worthy. For the From these photographs an saddest page in our history. Il reasons
I have given above I largement has been made by our is the page that brought to a have no hesitation in presenting Department of Physiology, and close Book One, but the page that entitles us to look
support, the this afternoon in the new En- forward with confidence
to a University of Hongkong which gineering School. When you see yet more brilliant Book Two.
it, I think you will agree it was Voluntary Service
for Arts, Engineering, it is also to the people of this Colony for this enlargement will be on view
one
their continued
has been found worthy.
Thanks To Government
we
Science
Our
we have a normal intake to the
represents the complete faculties and Medicine, but still lacks two
ears of medical students. full strength will not be reached til 1951, when, assuming that Medical Faculty this and next year, our undergraduate strength will be at least 800.
levels in the schools. The amount that the Government spends on the University is very much less than it spends on its schoolboy: and schoolgirls.
The University authorities have plans for future develop- ment. Those have been indicated by the
Vice-Chancellor in his address. They have not yet been finally approved for we want to obtain the advice ofi
university authorities in the United Kingdom. In this connection we
that also hope representatives of the
inter- Kingdom will pay us a visit this University Council of the United
the best space
Indeed
progress
And now, before closing, I con- a most excellent example of the At the onset of the Japanese sider it my duty to mention silversmith's art, an example too invasion, a large proportion of briefly two more points. First, I rare to be last: for $10.000 Pakistan And India our undergraduates and gra- do not propose to play on your can have an exact replica made
duates and all the staff
were sympathy by declaring how much and it is noteworthy that on the
Rehabilitation has been com- of taken aback : already members Sir, I was
Or we need financial help; rather armreverse side there is a
pleted with the exception of the read Mr Liaquat Ali Khan, the other of the emergency public I going to indulge in counting our just large enough to record the
Great Hall and the Students* munificence of a donor. In the Union. The Council has steadily Pakisan Prime Minister's state- services. I commend this exam-blessings.
at the ple to our present undergraduate
meantime I should like to ex- ment which
We acknowledge with grateful press our grateful thanks to both vacant posts, and the Chairs of gone ahead with the filling of 27th body; for although some of them preda February 1950 and which ap- have responded nobly to the re-thanks the help of the Hongkong, Colonel Bird and Major Penn-
Medicine, Surgery, Pathology, peared in yesterday's Hongkong cent call for voluntary service, I Government. This University is Gaskell for their valuable help, chemistry and Mathematics have
year, so that we may discuss our sound am somewhat disappointed, both not, as many
n The University is people think, Telegraph.
already been filled,
and it is proposed plans with them on the funny and absurd. He is ac- personally and officially. that Government department; we fortunate in its friends.
hoped that those of Zoology and spot. Whatever may be the final not realised cusing Indians and the Govern- more have
that have no claim for financial help
May I in conclusion now say a Architecture will, shortly, alsoutcome of those discussions and the Hongkong Defence recent rioting in
Force from ment of the
the final approved plans, they them merely because we few words to those who are the be. By next September the course is the place for East Bengal area saying that it
the youth of exist; our claims must be based real centre of to-day's ceremony
will lead to a wise and balanced for the diploma in Education will to put Was only
of the the Colony a sequence
expansion of the various facul- into prac- on our service to the community; our Graduands. It has always have been re-started.
ties and functions of the Univer- troubles that occurred in West tice its lessons in public service; we have no desire to become a been a matter of wonderment I think that there are two main
it is better to give than to re- parasite on the public purse. and of not a little amusement, to factors for such good
sity. No: satisfied with the lives ceive applies equally to service There are times, lean times, when me. that when our Chancellor being made. First and foremost lost of both the communities, as to the stores of this world's a plant must be cared for without declares the Congregation open I would put the inspiring leaders he has now been threatening; goods.
the immediate expectation of the for the conferring of degrees, the ship given by the last
Vice Indians are not The degrees that are to be return of fruit. During our lean, Vice-Chancellor
takes Chancellor. Dr Sloss. Time and so coward to hide their faces conferred posthumously to-day times the Government came to that as his cue to start talking, agam he wanted to retire but at in fear and bow down. We are poignant reminders of the our aid and we now publicly Customs die hard; as perhaps my urgent request he carried on have suffered a lot when our'ecord of service of the last acknowledge that help with you have noticed, I have not The speed with which the pro, leaders committed themselves generation, and to-day we re- thanks.
exactly attempted to kill outright gramme of rehabilitation ha in the question of inauguration member with pride the twenty-
administration of a the old custom, but I am going to been carried out was due mainl or Pakistan, uprooting the two members of the University University even of this size is a change it slightly by bringing the to him, and as a result of his people from their birth places, who gave their lives for the complicated machine; it is ad- graduands now into the centre of foresight and energy the new Everyone will feel sorry and way of life in which they be ministered by numerous com-the picture.
School of Engineering, in which blood, when he lieved, But our record of service mittees and boards., During the We have to-day assembled be- is incorporated the Department recolletts the saci tragedies does not ent with that flash in last 12 months I have been veryfore the public of this Con- of Architecture, has been com that occurred after the partition the pan we call the Battle of impressed by the ready manner gregation, forty members of our of our Bharat.
Hongkong. Many of our in which busy businessmen, men society who have satisfied our It ir not the sudden per-, students and graduates endured of the various professions, and academic bodies that their mutation of Mr Liaquat Ali the Irials of the prison and in- Government servants give of standard of learning has qualified Khan to utter lip-sympathetic ternment
their meagre spare time to at- them for one or other of our de- camp with un- words, but all the leaders of diminished loyalty
lend our Court, Council, Senate, grees. In a few moments each of and many Pakistan are having the same suffered the indescribable terror Faculties, Finance and Building them will hear these words:
them all we "By virtue and of over three years of Japanese, Committees. To
of the authority falsehood and are calling the recupied Hongkong. The story render thanks in the hole that vested in me. I confer upon you Nations of the World for help of the way they helped to pre- they find it time well spent.
India of war.
shed tears of
policy
of
treachery
the | serve
who.
The
always
our
of
the degree of etc. etc." to their deceitful call "Woll
Competent Team
Post-graduate Life Wolf. He charged our pence lives of their friends is only too property and the
I would like also to make re-
Those words will be spoken by loving Pandit Nehru, who is
||ference here to my colleagues, our Chancellor, the head of our the true disciple of the late Ma- vividly known to most of the members of the staff. During University, the representative in
But there is yet one other side hatma Gandhi, the apostle of of this picture of service which the post-war period, all universi- the Colony of His Majesty peace and non-violence. with
Irss well known and de- ties have found it very difficult King and Patron. By the highest Inaccuracies and mis-represen-
to fill their many vacancies; the authority in our Colony each Those tations of facts in him (Nehru's) serves recording.
political uncertainty of the world you graduands will be proclaim- Were fortunate enough to es has made peroration in the Indian Par-
many people all the ed before the public as proficăng afler hament. do not know how cape to Free China
the more reluctant to come abroad in your art and worthy of long these sad becomings will fill of Hongkong were under no to a place like Hongkong. But degree. It is your day, the day
their carry on
again wo have been fortunate; for which you have worked and its service, but many of them did we have recruited a young, virile studied for so
voluntarily and theirs is a and highly
many years. And when the hurly-burly of anew for you to-
be tolerated by India. 1 fear igation that
will evil
spread tentacles to grab the peace and prosperity of Bhara: Bhartiyas.
In trans will
to
competent team of yet and record of which this University whom this University and the life begins
may well be proud.
Colony is justified in its pride; morrow, there will be no par The story of the exploits in to this I should like to add a ceptible difference, life is one Maliva of one of Our former personal note of thanks for their continuous school of learning and
not be victims
of such evil to stoop so low
brvey. If
| but wil act Courageously and undergraduates. Lim Bo-seng, loyalty; as long as we maintain your graduation is but the end of they are Lon- can be tend in either I N. Low's the present calibre of our staff, one stage in the school; but therS front with any opposition in, "Thi. City of Dreadful Nicht" this University need have no is a difference. While here you their path of peace, they will or Lt.-Col. Spencer Chapman's fear for its academic future.
have Hadi the protection and take up the challenge of the thrilling book "The Jungle Is No counting of our blessings guidance of your academic Neutral," but I could tell you would be complete without re- mother but now you are from my personal, knowledge. ference to our benefactors. The equipped to stand alone. Never
appese
DAYA KHANRA.
Nanette Ho Kam Tim-chenng. Iau Din-cheuk Lee
Hilda Salmon, "Tan Teo
Wartime degree of Bachelor of science -Lam Yung_ta!.
Jor
Bachelor of Medicine and Bache- ot Sungery-Chan Sui-Lun, Chow Pak-hang. Eu Gaik-choo, Fang evang. Khoo Kee-seang. Lo Slu- tung. Ng Boon-snch, Wung Cheung- chủ. Yong Yut-lin, An Hung cho. Cheng Waf-yue, Lum Pak-huen. Pun Chung-chik, Wong Chak-wang-