Installation of President Professor Tony F Chan

Abstract

[evdate 2009-11-13] 

Installation of President Professor Tony F Chan 校長就職典禮 13 November 2009 香港科技大學校長陳繁昌教授就職典禮 二OO九年十一月十三日 Order of Proceedings 典禮程序 The Chancellor declares the Ceremony open 大學監督宣佈典禮開始 。 The Council Chairman introduces the new President 大學校董會主席介紹新任校長. The Chancellor installs the new President 大學監督主持就職儀式 • The Council Chairman presents the University Ordinance and the Seal of the University to the President 大學校董會主席將大學條例及大學印章交托予新任校長. The President delivers the installation speech 校長致就職講辭 Introduction of Professor Tony F Chan, the President By Dr the Hon Marvin KT Cheung, HKUST Council Chairman Dr the Hon Marvin KT Cheung, HKUST Council Chairman ~ ear vision, moral courage, and a noble heart to serve are the essential attributes of a leader. These we find in abundance in Professor Tony Chan, and much more. Professor Chan is a rare breed among academics. A seasoned administrator, an eminent scientist with a broad background in natural science covering Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering, he is the complete leader to guide HKUST in its journey towards transforming Hong Kong into a knowledge society, and in the process, spurring its economic development. As a man of vision, Professor Chan found his life-long vocation early in life. Way ahead of his peers, he was inspired during his matriculation years in Hong Kong when reading about Professor Richard Feynman and Professor Murray Gell-Mann, both new Nobel Laureates in Physics then, to pursue further studies at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), receiving his BS and MS in Engineering there. His interest in the then new field of Computer Science led him to Stanford, where he obtained his PhD in Computer Science in 1978. Professor Chan follows his heart to realize his dreams. His teaching career spanned several disciplines at some of the most prestigious universities. He taught Computer Science at Yale University before joining UCLA as Professor of Mathematics and was later appointed Chair of the Department of Mathematics. He also holds honorary joint appointments with the UCLA's BioEngineering and Computer Science departments. From 2001 to 2006, he served as the Dean of Physical Sciences at UCLA, overseeing seven academic departments. Among Professor Chan's many achievements are his being one of the world's most cited mathematicians and winning two Best Paper Awards from IEEE and International Symposium on Physical Design. He has published over 200 refereed papers. His v1s10n extends beyond his own vocation. As an advocate of collaboration among Mathematics, General Science and Engineering, he was one of the principal investigators who made the successful proposal to the US National Science Foundation (NSF) to establish the Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics (IPAM) at UCLA, serving as Director from 2000 to 2001. He has yet more to offer. As an able administrator, he managed an annual research budget of HK$10 billion at NSF, where he was most recently Assistant Director in charge of its largest directorate - the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate. He was the first Asian American to have been appointed to that position. In 2007, he became one of only :five mathematicians elected as Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Professor Chan might have spent four decades abroad, but he has maintained strong roots in Hong Kong, having attended the Salesian English School and Olieen's College here. In 2002, he was named CUHK United College Distinguished Lecturer along with Nobel Laureate Professor Yuan-Tseh Lee. He has served as visiting professor and external examiner at four local universities, in addition to making over 30 academic visits to the Mainland. In the face of new challenges including the 3-3-4 educational reform and the :financial crisis, Professor Chan now applies himself to creating new opportunities for the university and our students, attracting global talents and fostering collaboration between mainland institutions. Living up to the student-friendly tradition of his predecessors, Professor Chan can be seen challenging students and faculty to a game of tennis. Promoting the well-being of students is his top priority. Today, we are proud to have this most cited mathematician, first-rate administrator and visionary scholar to take over the helm of HKUST. Mr Chancellor, I have the honor to present to you the new President of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Professor Tony Chan. President Tony F Chan's Installation Speech Professor Tony F Chan, President and here honored and humbled by this call to service. I have sailed across the ocean and have come home after 40 years. Today, before this august assembly, in front of our Chief Executive, our Court and Council Chairmen and Members, our benefactors and supporters, faculty members, students, and friends who have flown from afar to witness this most important passage in my life, in front of you all, in the presence of my wife, our two children and other family members, I make this solemn pledge: I pledge to serve HKUST and Hong Kong in the best way a loyal native son can, to uphold the university's founding ideals and to achieve our shared dreams. We believed then, and we believe now, that this university has an important part to play in shaping Hong Kong's destiny. This joyful day is also an occasion to reaffirm our faith, to take stock of where we are, and to soul-search for our way forward. For me as it is for you, this day begins a new era - a new chapter of hopes and plans that opens up a whole new world of challenges and promises. It is almost impossible to fill the shoes of my predecessors Professor Chia-Wei Woo and Professor Paul Chu, who have birthed this University and put us on the world map. But I know I can count on the support of members of our faculty and staff to drive this University to greater heights of achievement. Together we will continue to build it into an institution of which we and future generations can be immensely proud. Some 20 years ago when we first began, building a university of science and technology in a city of quick returns was something of a quixotic dream. Today that dream remains fresh in memory and in action, and our ambition has not diminished. We have achieved global rankings undreamed of 20 years ago, and attained world recognition in everything that we do, from Science, Engineering, to Business and Social Science. The calls for education and research in science and technology, together with scientific management innovations, to tackle major technological and social challenges of human society have become more urgent than ever. This is a time of unprecedented change, when the world is reeling from a financial crisis that is felt in every corner of the earth. The entire world's attention is now focused on Asia, and China in particular - not just looking for markets or cheap labor, but for inspiration, talents, and new ideas. We in Hong Kong are in a unique position to participate in this spectacular growth, spearhead the new knowledge revolution, and nurture new talents. What other place in the world offers more exciting opportunities for growth, for expansion and for change than Hong Kong, and what better place to try out new ideas than HKUST? Hong Kong's landscape of higher education is changing at a pace unimaginable just 5 years ago. As a young university, we have the flexibility, the openness, and the impulse for creativity that mark our special character. As a latecomer, we have made an imprint on Hong Kong and we shall continue to impact the way university education and research are carried out. We must seize the momentum of education reform generated by the change to a 4-year degree to fashion university education as we have always dreamed it, and make Hong Kong's education among the finest in the world. The time is ripe for us to sharpen the special role of science and technology in Hong Kong, where, combined with our managerial expertise and entrepreneurial spirit, with human insight and social understanding, we shall jointly tackle the global grand challenges and educate a new generation of students for this challenge. In this context, I am happy to note that our Chief Executive has included technology and innovation as one of the six new pillars of Hong Kong's economy. This signals the beginning of our government's determination to enhance the role of S&T in our society, and to invest in research and innovation for the future. As the next president, I shall work with you all to bring to this University the quality promised and entrusted to us by the people of Hong Kong. We must continue to leverage on our special role as a university of science and technology, to send out the message to the young people of this city of the importance of S&T as engines of the future, and to encourage, nurture and educate future leaders of science, technology and innovation. Leaders the world over are recognizing the pivotal role of science, technology and innovation in driving economic and social progress. China's '125' National Science & Technology Development Plan spells out in the most compelling terms the grand vision of changing China into _a Nation of Innovation. Similarly, the US Government has announced its commitment to harnessing national S&T efforts to address 21st Century grand challenges and to maintain US leadership in innovation. Saudi Arabia, where I recently visited, has inaugurated a King Abdullah University of Science and Technology by the Red Sea, launching a breathtaking program of S&T education and research as an agent of cultural renaissance. Chinese civilization, like the Arab, has had a glorious history of scientific and technological inventions. These inventions, in mathematics and astronomy, in paper making and the compass, have made immense contributions to humanity. To this list, we should add the contribution in Fractional Quantum Hall Effect made by Professor Daniel Tsui, one of our honorees this year. And we can now also add fiber optics, thanks to Professor Charles Kao Kuen. It is my fervent hope that HKUST can contribute to the continuation of this long tradition. It is not a moment too soon for HKUST to bear the torch for a cultural renaissance in this part of the world: in educating a new generation of leaders who are scientifically literate and technically savvy, with broad understanding of diverse cultures and social issues, and with pride in dedication to the betterment of humankind. From training science teachers to innovators of the next technological revolution, HKUST must be the premier destination for S&T education. • We must be known as one of the best science and technology universities globally in both education and research; an institution of choice where faculty and students take pride in belonging. • We will train students to be future leaders in Hong Kong, Greater China and globally. We will provide them with the unique opportunity offered by our university's special blending of S&T with Business Management and the Humanities and Social Sciences. • We must be recognized as a global innovator in research. • We as a university will consciously impact society economically and effect cultural change. • We will pursue world-class excellence and grow our own talent. • We will be an economic engine, a brain trust, a cultural pillar, an opinion leader, an educator, a creator of knowledge, and an ambassador for science. Through hard work, persistence and openness to creativity, we will convince the world that Hong Kong and HKUST can contribute to China's S&T innovation, that we can and will be key players in the world of knowledge revolution. Ultimately} the caliber of our people will determine the quality of our future. This is why our enterprise is so crucial, why it is imperative that our joint endeavor must not fail. The great Roman poet Horace articulated the narrative technique of“ Beginning in the Middle I am beginning in the middle of the University’s youth, and the peak is yet ours to climb. It is my supreme honor, duty and pleasure to see that the HKUST miracle continues and our dream lives. Thank you. 香港科技大學校長就職典禮 由校董會主席張建東博士介紹陳繁昌教授 校董會主席張建東博士 位傑出的領袖3 必須其有清晰的視野、道德勇氣、及高尚的情操。 . 這些素質，在陳繁昌教授身上獲充分體現。 陳教授擁有的特質3 於云云學者中實在彌足珍貴。作為一位經驗豐富 的行政人員及優秀的學者， 他既博且精，專長研究的科學範圍包括數學、 計算機科學及工程學等。他學識廣博、才能全面。他將帶領香港科技大學 登上另一高峰3 使科大在促使香港轉型為知識型社會、並促進經濟發展的 旅程上，扮演重要的領導角色。 陳教授有非凡的視野，於年青時代已經找到自己的志向與終身使命。 少年早慧的他，早於香港時預科時已拜讀當時最新公佈之諾貝爾物理學獎 得主費曼及蓋爾曼的文章， 因而立志前赴美國升讀加州理工大學， 並取得 理學士和理學碩士（工程學）學位。他對當時的新興科學計算機科學有濃 厚興趣，這股熱忱驅使他前赴史丹福大學？並於1 978 年取得哲學博士（計 算機科學）學位。 早年立定心志的他3 矢志不渝地追隨夢想，最終如願以償， 成為傑出的 學者。他曾於多家最著名的學府教授多門學科3 首先於耶魯大學教授計算 機科學，繼而成為加州大學洛杉磯分校的數學系教授，後晉升為數學系主 任，並於加州大學的生物工程學系及計算機科學學系擔任榮譽聯合教席。 2001 至2006 年間，他擔任加州大學洛杉磯分校自然科學學院院長3 管理七 個學術部門。 男外3 陳教授是世界上獲引述最多的數學家 之－，並贏得國際電機及電子工程師學會、及國 際物理設計研討會的最佳論文獎。他多年來故故 不倦地進行頂級的研究？出版超過200 份獲推薦 的學術論文。 陳教授不但對自己的終身職業有長遠的願景， 對推動跨學科研究更有極大的抱負？致力提倡將 數學科學與其它自然科學和工程學科結合研究。 他曾以首席研究員的身分，成功與主要研究員一 同向美國國家科學基金提出建議，在加州大學 洛杉磯分校成立純數及應用數學研究院，並於 2000 年至2001 年間成為該研究院的主任。 陳教授的貢獻，絕不僅限於教學及研究範疇。 在加入科大之前，他於美國國家科學基金擔任助 理署長，統領數學及自然科學部，即該基金規模 最龐大的科研部門，他管理每年接近100 億港元 的科研經費3 並成為首位擔任該要職的美籍亞裔 人士。2007 年，他獲美國科學促進會頒授院士 銜7 成為獲該會數學組頒發院士銜的僅五位學者 之一。 於海外從事教學研究近四十年的陳教授，一 直與土生土長的香港保持密切的聯繫。他負笈美 國之前？就讀於香港慈幼英文中學及皇仁書院。 2002 年，他與諾貝爾獎得主李遠哲教授同獲中文 大學冊封為聯合書院傑出講師。他多吹於本港的 四所學府出任客席教授及校外考試評審員，並曾 到中國內地出席學術活動30 多吹。 面對香港3-3-4 教育改革及金融海嘯等各項挑 戰，陳教授將帶領科技大學積極創造機會，吸納 國際頂尖人才3 促進內地與西方學府的合作，為 大學及學生帶來更廣闊的前景。 陳教授將秉承科大前任校長的傳統3 與學生 打成一片。他致力為學生謀求最大福祉，並常常 與教職員及學生於網球場上一較高下。 今天3 我們很高興能夠見證這位獲引述最多 的數學家、一流的學術界管理人員、及高瞻遠囑 的學者，成為科技大學的校長。 監督先生，我很榮幸能夠向你介紹香港科技 大學的新校長陳繁昌教授。 陳繁昌校長就職講辭 陳繁昌校長 天我正式就任香港科技大學校長。這是我莫大的光榮，亦使我感到謙 ' 卑。四十年前我負笈海外接受教育，四十年後的今天我回到我出生 及成長的香港，為教育而工作。在我面前有行政長官、顧問委員會和校董會 主席和成員、科大的捐贈者與支持者、教職員與學生？還有專程從海外和國 內來到香港見證這重要時刻的嘉賓》以及我的妻子、子女及家人。在你們面 前，我莊嚴地許下諾吉．我會竭盡所能、盡忠服務香港科技大學3 回饋香 港社會。我將繼續秉承科技大學創校的精神，實現共同的夢想。過往，我們 有這樣的信念﹔現在，我們同樣深信，這所大學將為香港的未來扮演舉足輕 重的角色。 今天，我們亦重申我們的承擔，認清我們所處的位置3 認定將來的路向。 對於你們，以及對於我來說，今天同樣標誌著一個新紀元的開始一一讓我們 翻開充滿希望的新一頁3 並作出最周詳的計劃3 開創全新世代， 迎接每個挑 戰及機遇。 我們兩位前任校長一一吳家瑋教授及朱經武教授一一他們為科大莫定穩 固的根基？並帶領我們成為世界級的大學。要繼承他們的豐功偉績，並不容 易。雖然如此3 我深信靠著科大優秀的教職員團隊的支持3 我們必定能夠驅 使科大再創高峰。我們將攜手合作3 讓科大成為現今及將來的香港人引以為 榮的學府。 回望20 多年前3 當科技大學尚處於籌備階段時，有人認為我們的理想不 切實際．要在香港這個要求即時回報的社會成功建立一所以科技為主的大 學，真是談何容易。到了今天，這個夢想不但仍然記憶猶新，我們亦已將之 付諸實踐﹔我們起初的激情，完全沒有減退。我 們現在的世界排名，是20 年前所不能想像的。我 們於科學、工程、工商管理及人文社會科學這些學 術範疇所締造的成績，有目共睹。而科技大學促進 科技教育與研究、科學管理與創新科技的使命感， 一直有增無減。無論是科技發展還是人類社會的各 項挑戰，都已迫在眉暖。 在這瞬息萬變的時代，世界各國正從席捲全球 的金融海嘯中慢慢恢復過來，各種不可預測的變數 仍然為我們帶來挑戰。同時，全球的焦點繼續集 中於亞洲、特別是中國。全球不僅期望亞洲及中國 繼續提供龐大的市場及廉價的勞動力，更期盼我們 能夠提供人才、靈感以及新思維。而我們身處的香 港，則處於最有利的位置﹔我們將發動全新的知識 革命，為世界培育優秀人才。 試問全球哪一個地方，能比香港提供更多更豐 富多呆的機會？又有哪一所學府比香港科技大學更 適合試行創新意念？ ， 近年香港專上教育發展一日千里，其速度之 高3 僅五年之前亦難以想像。我們是一所年青的大 學，以高度靈活、開明、及創意見稱。作為歷史尚 短的大學，我們已深深地影響著香港，並將繼續為 大學教育及研究的方向帶來深遠的影響。我們必須 把握教育改革的機會，實踐我們一直渴求的四年制 學位課程變革，將香港的教育提昇至全球最高水 平。 現在時機已經成熟，我們將進一步加強科技於 香港扮演的重要角色。憑著豐富的管理經驗、勇於 冒險的創業精神、以及對社會的深切了解與敏銳觸 覺，我們將攜手面對全球性的挑戰，並教育新一代 的學生迎接挑戰。我特別高興見到行政長官將創新 科技納入香港經濟的六項優勢產業﹔這表示我們的 政府決心加強創新科技在社會中扮演的角色，並投 資於科技研究與創新。 作為新任校長3 我將與各位攜手合作，進一步 提昇這所大學的水平，從而實踐我們對香港市民的 承諾、答謝大家對我們的信任。 我們並必須繼續善用科大特有的角色優勢，鼓 勵、培育與教育未來的創新科技領袖，讓年青人認 識創新科技是驅動香港發展的引擎。事實上，世界 各地的領袖均深深認識科學技術與創新科技對於促 進經濟及社會發展的重要角色。中國內地的「十二 五國家科技發展計劃J 以最其說服力及波瀾壯闊的 內容，勾劃出中國要發展成為創新科技國家的藍圖 與宏願。同樣，美國政府亦宣布加強科研投資3 以 迎接二十一世紀的重大挑戰、及保持美國於創新科 技領域的領導地位。而在我最近到訪的沙地阿拉 伯，亦於紅海成立了阿杜拉國王科技大學，開展 科技教育與研究計劃以復興當地豐富的科技文 化。 我們的中華文化，同樣源遠流長。在我們輝煌 的歷史裡？科技的發明不計其數。無論是有關數 學與天文的發現、還是造紙術與指南針3 都為人 類帶來重大貢獻。談到現代，我們當然不會忘記崔 琦教授我們今年其中一位榮譽博士一一就分數 量子霍爾效應研究作出的貢獻﹔以及高銀教授就光 纖研究方面所作出的突破。我熱切期望香港科技大 學能夠將中國悠長的科技文化，繼續發揚光大。 香港科技大學於文化的傳承上3 正已扮演著火 炬手的角色﹔我們培育新一代的領袖3 他們不但 有科技專長，更對多元文化及社會議題有廣泛而深 入的認識， 同時對改善人類生活有極大的抱負。香 港科技大學必須成為首屈一指的學府，積極培育科 學教師以至領導新一代科技革命的創新人才： . 我們必須成為全球最卓越的科技大學，於教育 與研究方面力臻完美， 成為教職員與學生最引 以為傲的首選學府。 . 我們將訓練學生成為未來的領袖，於香港、大 中華地區及全球發揮影響力﹔透過將科技教育 與商業管理和人文社會科學混合的模式，為學 生提供發展學業和事業的最佳機會。 . 我們必須獲確認為開創全球研究工作的領導 者。 . 我們作為一所大學3 必須為社會帶來經濟及文 化上的正面影響。 . 我們追求世界級的卓越水平3 並培育本土人才。 . 我們將成為經濟引擎、智慧寶庫、文化支柱、 輿論領袖、教育家、知識的創造者，以及科學 研究的動力。 我們將憑著努力與毅力、秉持開放態度、敢發 創意3 讓全世界見證香港及香港科技大學對中國的 創新科技作出貢獻。在這場知識革命中3 我們可以 並必將扮演一個舉足輕重的角色。 我們人才的素質最終將決定我們的將來。正因 如此，我們的教育事業非常重要﹔而我們的共同 努力，必須令我們立於不敗之地。 偉大的羅馬詩人賀拉斯曾經闡釋過，「從中段 開始j的敘事技巧。我加入科大的時刻，正是科大 充滿幹勁的青年時期。我們必須同心協力， 以期登 峰造極。能夠見證香港科技大學的奇蹟得以延續、 以及我們的夢想繼續活現，不單是我的榮譽2 更 是我的職責以及最大的欣慰 謝謝大家。