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Now and Then

On October 17, 1963

Sing Tao Wan Pao News Headlines (October 17, 1963)

  • The second University in Hong Kong – The Chinese University of Hong Kong established, degree examination will be held next summer
  • The Governor mentions in his speech that The Chinese University of Hong Kong reflects the dual nature of Hong Kong’s education system
  • Sir Cho-yiu Kwan talks about the process of establishment of the University

Wah Kiu Yat Po News Headlines (October 17, 1963)

  • The Soviet Union plans to land astronauts on the moon in 1970
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong established
  • Hong Kong Technical College students Lee Chi Kong and Wong Ping Wai, who have excellent academic results, go to the United Kingdom to study in master and doctoral programmes

Ming Pao News Headlines (October 17, 1963)

  • Congratulation on the establishment of the Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Water Supply for Cheung Chau residents is changed to once in four days from 5pm to 9pm
  • Typhoon Lola blows towards Hong Kong



On October 17, 1963 – CUHK officially established

At its foundation Chung Chi, New Asia and United were the three constituent colleges of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). All three of them were founded by intellectuals and educators from mainland China. In their early years, all three colleges had to struggle for survival but at the same time worked hard to contribute to the education sector in Hong Kong. To meet the growing demand for tertiary education, the three colleges joined hands to fight for the establishment of a higher education institution that would promote Chinese culture and bring together Chinese and Western scholarship, as well as serve the community and realize the ideal of whole-person education.

The Government pressed forward with its plans to create a university in which the three colleges could be incorporated as Foundation Colleges, assuming that the Fulton Commission found them ready for university status. In 1963, the Commission recommended: “That a federal university should be established in Hong Kong, incorporating as Foundation Colleges, Chung Chi College, New Asia Colleges and United College.” (Report of the Fulton Commission, 1963) Based on this report, the Government passed the Chinese University of Hong Kong Ordinance in September 1963 under which The Chinese University of Hong Kong became a legal entity on October 17, 1963. The Honourable Sir Cho-yiu Kwan was appointed as the first Chairman of The University Council while Dr Li Choh-ming was appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of CUHK.

The University’s inauguration congregation was held at the Hong Kong City Hall and those attending included the then Governor Sir Robert Black.

Today on October 17, 2013 – The 73rd Congregation was held

Over five decades, beginning with 3 colleges, 1,395 students and about 100 teachers and staff member, CUHK has embraced the mission “To combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West” and striven to become a top higher education institution in Hong Kong.

The 73rd Congregation was held at the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall today in which honorary degrees were conferred on 5 distinguished persons, including Dr. Li Kwok-po, Prof. Barry James Marshall, Dr. Elsie Tu, Dr. Wong Yan-lung and Prof. Zhong Nanshan in recognition of their exceptional contribution in their respective areas of achievement to social, economic, educational and medical progress. Eleven CUHK professors with exceptional achievements in teaching and research were also presented with the awards of Choh-Ming Li Professorships in recognition of their contributions to the Faculty and University.

CUHK has grown into a vibrant teaching, learning and research community with 9 colleges, 8 faculties, a student population of more than 20,000, undergraduate and postgraduate students included, and a staff of over 6,000 full time teaching, research and administrative members. It takes great pride in its achievements. The University has nurtured nearly 160,000 graduates in the past 50 years and they have all taken up their responsibilities as world citizens around the globe, contributing their effort to make the world a better place.

Our footprints in history

Throughout the past 50 years, some incidents have left significant marks in the history of CUHK, so let us take a trip down memory lane and revisit those noteworthy moments…

Oct 17, 1963

  • Chung Chi, New Asia and United Colleges amalgamated to form CUHK

1964

  • The motto “Bo Wen Yue Li” adopted
  • The first Vice-Chancellor Dr Choh-ming Li installed and the first honorary degrees conferred
  • the first bachelor’s degrees conferred

1967

  • Dr. Choh-ming Li introduced the mission of the University as “To combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West”
  • the first master’s degrees conferred

1971

  • The University Student Union inaugurated

1972-73

  • United College and New Asia College moved to Shatin campus

1982

  • the first doctor of philosophy degrees conferred

1986

  • Shaw College founded

1991

  • Faculty of Engineering established

1992

  • School of Pharmacy established

2002

  • first conferment of honorary fellowships

2006

  • Morningside College and S.H. Ho Colleges founded

2007

  • C.W. Chu College, Wu Yee Sun College and Lee Woo Sing College founded

2009

  • Former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Charles K Kao awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics

2011

  • Grand opening of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen Research Institute building.

Oct 17, 2013

  • CUHK celebrates its 50th anniversary

Memorable moments in the past fifty years

In the past fifty years, many students, scholars and staff had spent a wonderful time of their lives in the CUHK campus and leaving behind many unforgettable memories. Today is the Golden Jubilee Foundation Day, let’s take this opportunity to look back all those years and relive those memorable moments again by looking at some precious photos……


Prof. Yang Chen-ning photographed with the cabinet members of Physics Society in 2001

In 2011, CUHK rowing team won the overall champion of “Hong Kong Universities Rowing Championships” for ten consecutive years.

Prof. Charles Kao photographed with new students admitted in the year 1994-1995 after the inauguration ceremony

Martial art event of New Asia College in 2011

Chung Chi students of the 70s enjoyed the beautiful view of the moon in boats during Mid-Autumn Festival

Chung Chi College Thousand People Feast 2012

In 1962, members of the debate team in serious discussion during a competition

United College orientation camp 2001

Students sang folk songs at Chung Chi College student hostels in the 1970s

New Asia Festival 2013

Participants of the New Asia College Thousand People Feast attended the event in their secondary uniforms

Students of New Asia College in 1963

Students of Chung Chi College took part in the Tolo Harbour Race in 1965

The “Chan, Kwok & Chow” cabinet running for the seats in the 9th New Asia College Student Union executive committee

New Asia College singing competition 2013

New Asia College joint hostel Halloween event 2012

Students of New Asia College performed in a musical in 1973

Students and counselors had a great time in the departmental orientation camp in 2013

New Asia athletic meet in 1974

New Asia orientation camp in 1978

Singing competition in 1978

The CUHK Basketball team took part in the “All China University Basketball Invitation Tournament” in Nanjing in 1985

New Asia College organized the tug-of-war competition in 1986

Chung Chi College swimming gala 2012

Hello CU! Let's Go Hiking! in 2013

Prof. Charles Kao studied the technology of fibre optics in United Kingdom in the 60s

Taking graduation photos in front of the 40th anniversary statue in 2003

Chung Chi College round-the-campus run in 2012

Recreational activities organized by Chung Chi College in the late 80s

The consultation organized by the candidates of the 62nd Chung Chi College student union executive committee

The 6th rowing team won the 8-person’s race in the men’s division HKU-CUHK competition

Prof. Sun Sai-ming’s graduation photos with his classmates in 1966

Prof. Sun Sai-ming prepared his thesis during his school days

Beer drinking competition of the United College orientation camp in 1973

Prof. Yang Chen-ning gave a lecture at Hong Kong City Hall in 1964

Ms. Xiao Si photographed with New Asia College classmates in the 60s

Prepared for a big feast in student hostel in 1978

Athletic meet in 1978

Acknowledgement:
Some of the photos are provided by: Chung Chi College, New Asia College, Alumni Affairs Office, Audio-Visual Division, I‧CARE Programme, Alumni Mr. Samuel Ho and Mr. Edward Leung

CUHK 50th Anniversary Website: www.50.cuhk.edu.hk

This message is sent from Communications and Public Relations Office(CPRO). For enquiries related to this message, please contact CPRO at 50thanniversary@cuhk.edu.hk.