Poon Chung-kwong retired as president of Polytechnic University yesterday after 18 years of service, saying his proudest moment had been leading the institution to attain university status in 1994.
The university has dedicated a Buddhist pine tree, or podocarpus macrophyllus, to the president in the campus to symbolise his persistent efforts in nurturing talent.
Professor Poon, whose title is now president emeritus, vowed to keep in touch with the university - which he described as 'an inseparable family member' - by engaging with students 'two to three times a week' in future.
The devout Buddhist said he would devote his retirement to spreading traditional Chinese culture to the younger generation, as well as developing tertiary education on the mainland.
However, Professor Poon said he would not 'give any personal opinion on the university's policies after retirement'.
In a farewell e-mail to the university's members, he quoted the Chinese philosopher Zhuang Zi saying that students should retain moral values and ideals in their hearts while adapting to social changes and pursuing professional knowledge.
