Laying the foundation of higher learning

When Governor Sir Frederick Lugard officially opened the University of Hong Kong on March 11, 1912, there was an immense surge of pride throughout the community.

Two years earlier, he had laid the foundation stone; since then the impressive granite facade had risen above Pokfulam Road.

The architectural design was fittingly grand. To mark the opening the South China Morning Post carried a major supplement, adorned with a huge artistic rendition of the facade.

The opening was the realisation of a dream that began in 1905 when the prominent wealthy Parsee businessman Hormusjee Nowrojee Mody made it possible through a donation of $150,000 for the building and a further $30,000 for its endowment. There was a generous donation from John Swire and Sons of #40,000 for a 'Tai Koo' chair of engineering.

The business community and individuals gave generously, a total of $250,000 by 1909. The government gave the land. The opening ceremony was a brilliant affair, packed with VIPs of 'every class and creed'.

The communal pride was justified. The two founding faculties were medicine and engineering. This feeling shone through in the editorial column of the Post.

'Today's great event virtually places Hong Kong educationally far ahead of all other, even wealthier, cities in the East,' the Post said.