A liberal share of pride
Lingnan University needs to have smaller classes, more student-centred learning and more student accommodation to become an internationally recognised liberal arts university, the new president said this week.
Speaking at his installation ceremony, Chan Yuk-shee said the university needed to position itself as the premier liberal arts university in Asia to help enhance Hong Kong's development as an education hub in the region.
Succeeding Edward Chen Kwan-yiu, Professor Chan said he was not looking to make substantial changes in the near future.
'The university has already developed sound plans to further advance its liberal arts mission and to switch to the four-year curriculum in 2012,' he said.
'I want Lingnan to remain Lingnan, to retain its competitive edge and fulfil its unique mission in the local higher education system.'
Professor Chan was formerly academic vice-president at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
At the installation event, also Lingnan's 37th congregation, honorary doctorates were conferred on four people in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements and contributions to the university.
Anglican archbishop of Hong Kong, Paul Kwong, and Hopewell Holdings chairman Sir Gordon Wu Ying-sheung received honorary doctors of law.
Jennie Lee Mui Yee-ching, a council member of Lingnan University Hong Kong Alumni DSS Primary School, and Stephen Lewis Jnr, professor of economics at Carleton College, Minnesota, received honorary doctors of social sciences for their leading roles in liberal arts education.
