A statue of Dr. Choh-Ming Li, founding Vice-Chancellor of the University, was donated to The Chinese University last month to commemorate the distinguished contributions of the founding Vice-Chancellor. The statue now stands in the courtyard of the Institute of Chinese Studies on CUHK campus.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the statue, held on 28th November, was conducted by Prof. Lawrence J. Lau, the serving Vice-Chancellor and four former Vice-Chancellors: Prof. Ma Lin, Prof. Charles K. Kao, Prof. Arthur K.C. Li, and Prof. Ambrose King. Also officiating at the ceremony were Dr. Alice Lam, chairman of the UGC, Dr. Edgar Cheng, chairman of the University Council, Dr. J.S. Lee, Council member, Mr. Chien Lee, Council member, Ms. Lina Yan, chairman of the CUHK Convocation, Prof. Jenny So, director of the Institute of Chinese Studies, Dr. Chen Fong-ching, donor of the statue, and Prof. Wu Weishan, the sculptor.
Dr. Jean Rogers, daughter of Dr. Choh-Ming Li, travelled all the way from the US to attend the event. Prof. Lawrence J. Lau, as Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Arthur K.C. Li, as Secretary for Education and Manpower, Dr. Chen Fong-ching, as donor of the statue and former director of the Institute of Chinese Studies, and Dr. Jean Rogers made speeches on the occasion, sharing fond memories of Dr. Choh-Ming Li and reflecting on his 15 years at the University.
Dr. Choh-Ming Li founded The Chinese University in 1963, becoming the first Chinese ever to assume the vice-chancellorship of a local university. He set the overall direction of development for the University as well as its policy on teaching and research. He also initiated institutional reform, laying a solid foundation for the long-term growth of the University. He founded the Institute of Chinese Studies to signify the University's commitment to its distinctive education mission, which is to 'combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West'.