University readies for new era CUHK top brass predict that the 40-year-old institution will play a crucial role in Hong Kong's development in the region and world, writes Linda Yeung.

(From South China Morning Post)

WHEN IT WAS set up in 1963, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) filled an important gap by increasing Chinese medium school graduates' access to university education and bridging Chinese and Western cultures.

The university was founded through the merger of three post-secondary colleges; New Asia College, United College and Chung Chi College. The fourth college - Shaw College - was built in 1986 with the support of philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, it is about to enter a new era, gearing up for a much bigger, regional role. Vice-chancellor Ambrose King Yeo-chee said last year that the university's goal was to become a great Asian institution, a vision echoed by vice-chancellor designate, Stanford University economist Lawrence Lau, due to take up his post in July.

Speaking at …