Page 8 - SYU Prospectus

Shue Yan University Prospectus 2021-22

the colleges restructure their 4-year programmes to accommodate a 2-2-1 system, i.e. a two-
year course at the sixth form level, leading to the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination
(required for entry to the University of Hong Kong), followed by a two-year Post-Form-Seven
course and a further year of intensive study for students to gain professional or vocational
qualifications. Following the publication of the White Paper, the students and staff of the
College held a series of forums and over 94 percent of them opposed restructuring the four-
year programme of studies which the College had been running with success and which helped
to fulfil the aspirations of young people for university level education. The College therefore
declined the offer of funding.

The foundation stone of the current Braemar Hill campus was laid by the late Governor
of Hong Kong, Sir Edward Youde, G.C.M.G., M.B.E., on 8th April 1983. The entire building was
completed in 1985 and formally opened by Sir Edward Youde on 24th January 1986.

The 19-storey Library Complex was completed in 1995. At the Opening Ceremony on
15th November 1995, the then Governor of Hong Kong, the Rt. Hon. Christopher Patten,
expressed his admiration for “the growth and achievements over the years (that) attest to the
contribution that private initiative and personal commitment are making in the field of higher
education in Hong Kong.”

The then Chairman of the State Language Commission of China, Professor Xu Jia Lu
visited the College on 19th April 1996. He facilitated the establishment of a Centre for Training
and Testing Putonghua Teachers and Speakers ( 普通話測試中心 ) at Shue Yan College.

The College's long track record of educating young people to make a contribution to
society is well respected locally. In July 2000, the Hong Kong SAR Government awarded the
Gold Bauhinia Star to then Principal and Vice-President, Dr. Chung Chi Yung, in recognition of
her contribution to higher education in Hong Kong.

The College celebrated its 30th anniversary on 7-9th December 2001 with a series of
activities, including the Foundation Stone-Laying Ceremony for a new Residential and
Amenities Complex at the Braemar Hill campus and an international academic conference on
Economic Globalization & Cross-region Cultural Communication, jointly organized by the
Research Centre of Social Development of Renmin University of China, the School of
Humanities of Zhejiang University and the Contemporary China Research Centre of Shue Yan
College. The first Chief Executive of the HKSAR, the Hon. Tung Chee-Hwa presided over both
the Foundation Stone-Laying Ceremony and the Opening Ceremony of the international
conference. The Hon. Leung Chun-Ying, G.B.S., J.P., then Convenor of the Executive Council,
officiated at the Grand 30th Anniversary Banquet, which was attended by over 1,000
distinguished guests, alumni, teaching staff and student representatives.

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