More Colleges for Better Education

The Chinese University of Hong Kong has a residential college system with a long and treasured tradition. The four constituent colleges are widely acknowledged for their important role in enriching students' learning experience. They do this by creating intimate and congenial communities and providing whole-person education.

To cater for the increased student enrolment upon the reversion to a four-year curriculum, we need more colleges to maintain the quality of education. With the generous support of benefactors, CUHK has established Morningside College, S. H. Ho College, C. W. Chu College, Wu Yee Sun College and Lee Woo Sing College. These five new colleges, to cater for 3,600 students in total, are expected to admit students before 2012. The establishment of new colleges is an important milestone in the University's development, one that demonstrates its commitment to strengthening the college system. Members of the University will work together to realize the full benefits of the college system.

Strengthening the College System

CUHK is the only university in Hong Kong to adopt a college system; it is an integral part of the heritage we so cherish. The four constituent colleges, namely Chung Chi, New Asia, United and Shaw, have always provided an intimate and congenial learning and living environment, pastoral care, general education and non-formal education.

The five new colleges share the same vision. The University hopes that these relatively small colleges can strengthen interaction among students and staff, and offer more choices for students, thus enriching their college life experience.

Preparing for a Four-Year Curriculum

The government stated that upon the reversion to a four-year curriculum in 2012, the total undergraduate intake by all local universities (14,500) will remain unchanged. By then, our intake will increase by about 3,000. Without new colleges, each of the four existing colleges will have to increase its student number from 2,500 to over 3,200. This will reduce the interaction among students and staff, and affect the quality of college education and college life. On the other hand, if we do not increase the total enrolment, we have to decrease new student intake by 700 to 800. This will in turn deprive young people of the chance to study at CUHK.

Yet, despite this need, the government has made it clear that no public funding will be provided to establish new colleges. We therefore have to develop new resources and appeal to private donors.

World Trends

In many successful examples of collegiate systems around the world, such as Oxford, Cambridge and Yale, there are many more colleges than at CUHK; each college is typically small, with say 400-500 students, much lower than the enrolment of the existing colleges at CUHK. These world-renowned colleges adopt a fully residential and communal dining system, and organize a diverse spectrum of activities such as small seminars and tutorials. Such arrangements are seen as the key to building intimate, interactive and congenial college communities.

Thorough Planning

The establishment of new colleges is part of the long-term strategy of CUHK. Professor Lawrence J. Lau has striven to enhance the college system ever since he took up the Vice-Chancellorship.

CUHK announced its ten-year Strategic Plan in October 2005, which puts forward the idea to establish one or more new colleges.

In January 2006, the Task Force on New Colleges visited six universities in the United States and the United Kingdom that have college systems, to draw on their successful experience. The Task Force's report and recommendations were publicized on the web. Extensive consultation followed, through 18 briefings and open forums with students, alumni and staff, and meetings with council members, college trustees and alumni.

In April 2006, the University Council approved a set of guidelines for moving forward: CUHK should plan for a few small to medium-sized colleges. The University's vision was shared by benefactors who recognized the value of our college system in nurturing talent and who offered staunch support and pledged major donations to establish the new colleges. Thus, the Council decided to establish Morningside College and S. H. Ho College in May 2006, C. W. Chu College and Wu Yee Sun College in May 2007, and Lee Woo Sing College in October 2007.

Vision and Mission of the Five Colleges

Morningside College was established with very generous support from the Morningside Foundation and Morningside Education Foundation. It can cater for 300 students. S. H. Ho College was established with very generous support from the S. H. Ho Foundation. It can accommodate 600 students. With very generous support from Mr. Peter Yip, C. W. Chu College was established. It can cater for 300 students. The three colleges operate on a fully residential basis, with communal dining. Wu Yee Sun College was established with very generous support from Wu Yee Sun Charitable Foundation Limited, while Lee Woo Sing College was established with very generous support from a donor who wished to remain anonymous. These two colleges will respectively accommodate 600 residential students and in addition up to another 600 non-residential students.

The five new colleges will share the University's educational ideals, but will also have their own particular characters. Their mission is to foster an intimate community where students and academic staff learn, share and grow intellectually; to provide an environment for congenial college life and learning for students; to provide pastoral care, whole-person education, and general education; to broaden students' perspective through formal and non-formal education. In particular, Morningside College will seek to cultivate among students a commitment to serve the community of Hong Kong, China and the world. S. H. Ho College will seek to cultivate among its students a commitment to personal responsibility and integrity which will lay the foundation for contributions to society and an enriching life. C. W. Chu College and Wu Yee Sun College will seek to cultivate among students a commitment to personal responsibility and integrity, as well as the spirit of self-help and helping others, which will lay the foundation for making contributions to society, nurturing of talents for the nation and enriching students' lives. Lee Woo Sing College will help broaden the students' understanding of and liaison with Hong Kong, the Mainland and the world, so as to enable them to build a successful career in future, and to encourage them to contribute to their alma mater and the community.

The six patrons are committed to education and are highly respected. They share the University's vision and recognize its college system. They also have a high regard for the University's academic autonomy. CUHK is grateful for their most timely and munificent gifts, and the Council was unanimous in approving the naming of the five colleges.

Working Together for the Future

CUHK takes pride in and attaches great importance to its college system. The new colleges will offer more choices for students, enrich their learning experience, and enhance the entire college system.

In order that the colleges will be ready before 2012, the University Council has set up five new college planning committees to take charge of the detailed planning of Morningside College, S. H. Ho College, C.W. Chu College, Wu Yee Sun College and Lee Woo Sing College respectively. All the planning committees will solicit advice from members of the University through a variety of channels.

CUHK cherishes the vital roles played by the four existing colleges and will maintain the level of resources provided to them; moreover, they will not be required to increase their student numbers. A task force has also been set up to enhance cooperation and coordination among the colleges and between the colleges and the University.

The University looks forward to continuing support from its patrons and friends. Let us work together for the future of CUHK in providing the best education for the next generation.