A lawmaker on Thursday hailed the Chinese University of Hong Kong's decision to establish its first college dedicated to postgraduates.

It will be the 10th college at the only local institution that has been operating a collegiate system since the 1960s.

Nick Chan, who is also a CUHK Council member, said the decades-long culture helps with students’ whole-person development.

“Postgraduate students often are seen as researchers who are just working very hard in a small room. That's not the case here. People need to collaborate,” he said.

“And having a new college specifically there to serve them, not only do we help them fully actualise and be the best they are, they can help other people.”

He suggested the new college could be located at the Northern Metropolis, or in a place where postgraduates will enjoy easy access to the hardware and software they need.

Chan also noted the blueprint themed “Leaping to Greatness” spells out the goals that the institution hopes to achieve in the years ahead.

“This makes it very clear where we want to be, where we want to go, because when we want to achieve big things, it's hard to do it alone, and as an education institution, we are spending a lot of public money.

“So we should, as we've done now, present to the people of Hong Kong, to the government, to Legco, so we all understand how money is going to be spent, help shape and help people understand that vision. So that together we can play our roles and maximise the unique competitive advantages of Hong Kong and of CUHK in the nation's plan and in the society's development and progress.”

All universities in the city could also cooperate together and play a part in helping with national development, he added.


Edited by Tony Sabine