香港樹仁大學舉行50周年校慶慶祝會，創校校監胡鴻烈與一眾校董、師生及校友合照。
在慶祝會，學生代表黃啟濤朗讀胡鴻烈校監的50周年誌慶感言。 胡鴻烈校監感謝一直支持樹仁發展的各界人士，締造千萬個奇蹟。他認為不忘初心，方得始終，樹仁的故事由信念出發，因為相信所以懷抱希望，同時亦因為力行故此感動人心，也因為堅持終於開花結果。
胡鴻烈校監認為，少年當有凌雲志，美玉須磨琢，努力趁青春，寄語樹仁師生，銘記不為己但為群，犧牲小我的宏大志向。
樹仁大學校監胡鴻烈博士現年101歲，日常時有閱報關心時局社會大事，與家人經常保持互動溝通，了解大學事務點滴。 50周年誌慶感言是透過與校監交談片段，說出他對樹仁大學所思所念及對同學期盼，由副校監胡懷中代書。
香港樹仁大學校董會主席丁午壽在慶祝會致歡迎辭，他表示父親丁熊照向來重視教育，當年得知校監夫婦創校的宏願，深受感動支持建校，多年來亦一直關注並盡力協助學校發展。
他又表示，大學近年定出新的策略發展方向，決心利用資訊科技和數碼科技將樹仁的博雅教育傳統以現代的方式展現，以及在教學和研究上發展數碼人文，將「仁」的文化精神進一步傳揚。他說有信心校方在教職員和同學的努力下，將會開創一番新氣象，並相信樹仁在下一個50年會繼續為香港、為國家培育棟樑，為社會大眾作出貢獻。
校慶慶祝會同時亦首播50周年校慶主題曲《仁心》。
（封面圖：鍾健華攝）
胡鴻烈校監樹仁大學50周年誌慶感言
樹仁大學50周年，作為創校一份子，我希望透過這封信函，與各位分享多年走來的歷程，回顧當年大學成立的時代背景，重溫校訓當中辦學理念。
1960年代，香港經濟還未騰飛，鍾期榮博士在香港多家大專院校任教，深感青年人缺乏專上教育機會，痛心青年人缺乏希望，激起創辦大學的念頭。我為鍾博士的熱情精誠感染，義不容辭，加入行列。1971年，樹仁書院於跑馬地成和道設校，鍾博士任校長，我任校監，轉瞬50載。
樹仁的辦學理念，既要同學增長知識，亦要培養品格。校訓「敦仁博物」包含對莘莘學子的殷切期盼。我們期望樹仁畢業生品學兼優、德才兼備，成為對社會有用之人。
鍾校長與我成長時，遭遇山河破碎，戰火連天的景況。我們最終幸運完成學業、出國進修，來港工作。對於中國人的身份，一直深感自豪；對於中華文化之深奧，從來珍而重之。居住於香港中西文化交集的社會，家國情懷愈益堅定穩固。
在我們這一代人心裡，仁是中華文化精萃，講求順應自然法則、切合人性習慣，是立身處世，存於天地間之道。以達己達人、利眾利己為行為準則；抱擁家國情懷，寬厚待人，處事熱心而不忘中庸之道。
1971年成立樹仁書院時，我年紀已半百，屆知天命之年，略懂謀事在人，成事須結合時機助緣的道理。該做的事自當奮力而進，不可輕言放棄；碰壁遇困，經詳細分析後若須改轅換轍，則當斷則斷。
論辦學初期的課程設計及教材準備，樹仁當年亦多另闢蹊徑，有不少創新之舉。開發法政、社工、工商科系，切合了當時社會經濟發展需要。與美國東北大學締結合作課程，暑期間邀請美國學者來港講課，亦屬香港開風氣之先。不少新學科開辦時坊間都沒有適用之教材，教授們結合筆記文章研究報告為課本，一點一滴盡心盡力傳授知識。
從成和道、萬茂里至寶馬山上，樹仁經歷多少考驗，一直堅持四年學制，全人教育，敦仁博物。現在大學校舍的176條樁柱，一磚一瓦，皆是深耕細作的成果，得來不易。在香港這片土地，人們推崇獅子山精神。在港島一隅，樹仁亦樹立了寶馬山精神，當中蘊含著自強不息砥礪前行，廣結善緣得道多助，擇善固執與時並進的獨特風格。
鍾期榮校長在校慶10周年時寫了這段話：「誠然，當我們作任何決策時，一定是會有所取亦有所捨的，究竟何等為首要，因為什麼理由而定出，然後我們就為了這首要而不得不放棄其它時，亦心安理得，並無怨尢，亦不追悔。」
不忘初心，方得始終。樹仁的故事，由信念出發：因為相信所以懷抱希望；因為力行故此感動人心；因為堅持終於開花結果。
少年當有凌雲志 — 美玉須磨琢，努力趁青春。這裡寄語樹仁師生，銘記不為己，但為群，犧牲小我的宏大志向。
際此50周年校慶日子，衷心感謝一路同行，關心愛護支持樹仁我校的各界人士。由於你們的大愛，讓我們一起跨過重重難關，締造千萬個奇蹟。
*
樹仁大學校監胡鴻烈博士現年101歲，日常時有閱報關心時局社會大事，與家人經常保持互動溝通，了解大學事務點滴。這篇感言是透過與校監交談片段，說出他對樹仁大學所思所念及對同學期盼，由副校監胡懷中代書。
Reflections by HKSYU President Dr. Henry Hu Hung-lick on the 50th anniversary of the university’s founding.
On the 50th anniversary of HKSYU, and as a founding member of the university, I wish to share, through this letter, some stories of this journey. This is also a timely moment to reflect upon the times that gave birth to HKSYU and to revisit the founding ideals in the university’s motto.
In the 1960s, the modern Hong Kong economy had yet to take off. Dr. Chung Chi-yung was teaching at different tertiary institutions in Hong Kong. Yet, she was deeply concerned about the lack of further education opportunities for young people in general. She was also exercised about the lack of hope among them. This was what motivated her to start a university. As Dr. Chung’s life partner, I was moved by her passion and sincerity. I was duty bound to join her to pursue and accomplish her mission. In 1971, Shue Yan College was founded on Sing Woo Road, Happy Valley, with Dr. Chung as Vice President and Principal and me as President. In the blink of an eye, 50 years had come and gone.
Shue Yan’s philosophy of education is that it is equally important for students to nurture their knowledge and develop a good character. The school motto, “Cultivating virtues of benevolence; broadening horizons and knowledge”, carries the heartfelt hopes we invest in our students. We hope that Shue Yan graduates will excel academically, be learned and virtuous, and become useful, upstanding members of society.
Dr. Chung and I grew up in war-torn strife and destruction. We were lucky enough to be able to finish our degrees, go abroad for further studies and come to work in Hong Kong. We have always been proud of our Chinese heritage and have always been in awe of the profundity of Chinese culture. Living in Hong Kong, a society where the East meets the West, the feelings of belonging we have for our country have only become stronger and more unwavering with time.
For people of our generation, benevolence is the essence of Chinese culture. It emphasises harmony with the laws of nature and respect for human nature. It guides how one should conduct oneself in life. It is the way of being in the world. It promotes the realisation and benefit of self and others. It is about the deep feelings of embracing one’s country as home. It calls for treating others with lenity and generosity. It demands devotion in what we do but without forgetting the Middle Way.
When Shue Yan College was founded in 1971, I was already half a century old and had come to learn the workings of life. I understood that it is in the hands of man to make something happen and that also requires the right timing and a measure of fortune. We should strive for what ought to be done and never give up lightly. If you run into difficulties and realise you have to change direction after careful thought, you should do so boldly and decisively.
In Shue Yan’s early years, we were unconventional and pioneering in curriculum design and in developing teaching materials. We met the needs of Hong Kong’s social and economic development at the time by founding departments in law and politics, social work, and commerce and industry. We were also forerunners in international collaboration by initiating a joint programme with the Northeast Louisiana University of the United States and by inviting American scholars to give summer courses in Hong Kong. And when there were no suitable teaching materials available for some subjects and courses at the time of launch, our faculties created textbooks based on their notes, articles and research reports. They imparted knowledge to the young with great patience and dedication.
From Sing Woo Road to Monmouth Path and Braemar Hill, Shue Yan has met and overcome many challenges. Over the years, it has held steadfast to a four-year college system, whole person education, and cultivating the virtues of benevolence. Every single brick and tile and each of the 176 piles at the university campus today are the precious result of years of commitment, hard work and love. In Hong Kong, the “Lion Rock spirit” is revered. In one corner of Hong Kong Island, Shue Yan has produced the “Braemar Hill spirit” – a singular blend of qualities that combines perseverance with a constant quest for self-improvement, the active building of goodwill with a disposition to serve others, and principled determination with an ability to move with the times.
Dr. Chung Chi-yung penned the following words on the 10th anniversary of the founding of the college: “There is always give and take with any decision we make. What is it that we prioritize, and why? When we give up everything else in pursuit of that priority, we should be at peace with ourselves, free of grudge and regret.”
We must stay true to our ideals if we are to be successful. The story of Shue Yan is a story of faith: we see hope because we believe; we touch hearts because of our devotion and action; our efforts bear fruit because we persist.
The young should be bold and ambitious. A piece of jade is nothing without cutting and polishing and the young should make the most of their youth. The students and teachers of Shue Yan should always remember the spirit of self-sacrifice and place the community before the self.
On the university’s 50th anniversary, I sincerely thank everyone who has walked this journey with HKSYU, giving us your love, care and support every step of the way. With your generous love, we have overcome many challenges and created thousands of miracles together.
*
Now 101, HKSYU President Dr. Henry Hu Hung-lick continues to regularly read the news and stay engaged with topical discussions of the day. He also keeps in close contact with his family and stays abreast with the university’s affairs. This letter carried his intimate thoughts for HKSYU as well as his heartfelt hopes for its students. The reflections came from conversations with him and were written on his behalf by the university’s Deputy President Dr. Hu Fai-chung.
