CW Chu College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

Prof Kenneth Young, College Master, Dr Regina Ko and Prof Zhou Xunyu, College teachers, led a group of 14 College students to join a week-long study tour to Suzhou and Shanghai, starting from 16 May 2014. As one focus of the trip, the group visited CW Chu College in Soochow University. Teachers and students from both Colleges exchanged views in Suzhou. There was a return visit to Hong Kong in early July.

On 17 May 2014, teachers and students of CUHK CW Chu College visited their counterparts in Soochow University, where there is likewise a CW Chu College. During the meeting, Prof Wang Jianmin, Deputy Master of CW Chu College, Soochow University, introduced the long history and cultural background of Soochow University to the visitors. Prof Wang also reviewed the history and development of CW Chu College of Soochow University, and spoke about the spirit encapsulated in its motto: build a pool of talents for the country and help others as well as oneself. Prof Young talked about the globalization of higher education and the importance of students broadening their horizons through global exchange among different universities. He underscored the similar educational philosophy and the complementary advantages of the two Colleges which shared the same name and very much the same vision. Dr Ko introduced the origin and development of the Collegiate System in CUHK. She also explained how small colleges are able to offer a close and supportive environment. Students from both colleges shared what they had learnt from their college life and study.

The hosts brought the guests to visit the local CW Chu College and the campus of Soochow University. Students made friends with each other and took group pictures on the lawn in front of the bell tower.

Prof Young presented a seminar entitled 'The Idea of a University' at Soochow University that evening. He traced the origin of universities, and cited many examples to illustrate the relationship between the purpose of human civilization and the development of universities. Students of Soochow University were eager with many questions related to educational philosophies, teaching reforms and innovation spirits. Prof Young had an extensive exchange with the students. The trip had brought the two College closer together, paving the way for more cooperation and exchanges in the future.

College students learned the legends and the history of the ancient city of Suzhou after visiting several tourist attractions, such as the Humble Administrator's Garden, Hanshan Temple, and Suzhou Museum. They gained a sense of the local technological development when they visited the Suzhou Science and Technology Park.

The group then went on to Shanghai, where they stayed at Fudan University. They gained a better understanding of the development of Shanghai over the last century, especially after the lecture given by Prof Chen Yan about how the tiny county-level town had grown into a major metropolis.

Return Visit by CW Chu College, Soochow University

A group of 13 students led by Ms Meng Lingling, Director of the Undergraduate Affairs Center of CW Chu College, Soochow University, visited our College on 8 July 2014. The teachers and students from both Colleges were delighted to meet again. Apart from meeting the College Master, the Dean of Students and our College students, the delegation from Soochow CW Chu College joined a tour around the campus of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and attended talks on humanities and economics on the CUHK campus in the two-day visit. They noticed the similarities between the architectural styles of the Institute of Chinese Studies (ICS) and Suzhou Museum – after all, both were both designed by I.M. Pei. The Arts Museum brought out a treasured item from its collection – a sword inscribed as belonging to a famous King of Wu, to these visitors from the Land of Wu.

Return Visit by Fudan University

A total of ten teachers and students from Xide College, Fudan University, visited the College on 21 July 2014. To learn more about the collegiate system of CUHK, they attended a sharing session co-organized by the Xide College and CW Chu College, and visited the New Asia History Gallery. They also visited the CUHK campus and talked to alumni of Fudan University who are now postgraduate students in CUHK, and gained a better understanding of the campus life at CUHK and the culture of Hong Kong universities.