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

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.

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.