2015-10-15,The Lee Shau Kee Science and Technology Building inauguration ceremony was held, The Professor Chung K. Law, Director of CCE made a speech for the Lee Shau Kee Science and Technology Building Inauguration Inauguration. It reads as follows:
Dear Mr. Lee, all the leaders, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:
It is an immense privilege for me to represent all the teachers, researchers, students and staff that will call this building our home to thank Mr. lee for his generosity.
In the history of human intellectual pursuit, progress has frequently been made by the alliance of two groups of individuals: the scientists and artists who are at the frontline of creating knowledge and beautiful works of art, and the enablers who appreciate the importance of such intellectual activities and provide the needed resources for them to flourish.
While many examples can be quoted on the triumphant fruition of such partnerships, such as the powerful sculptures of Michelangelo and the melodic symphonies of Mozart, for the present occasion I shall mention an important technological alliance in the recent past that has shaped the development of aeronautics.
By the end of the Second World War it became clear that aeronautics and space travel would be an integral component of society. To stimulate such developments, a Mr. Harry Guggenheim boldly established a number of jet propulsion centers at several U.S. universities. This turned out to be a singularly important event in the nurturing of generations of aeronautical scientists and engineers, leading to the flourishing of aeronautical research. Equally important, Mr. Guggenheim also set up two Goddard Professorships, at Caltech and Princeton, in order to honor the father of rocketry. It is then particularly noteworthy to this audience that the first Goddard Professor at Caltech was the legendary Mr. Tsien Hsue Shen, whose contributions to aeronautics in general and its developments in China are now folklores in the scientific world. Indirectly, Mr. Guggenheim’s vision has also personally impacted me as, being the fourth Goddard Professor at Princeton, I have always endeavored to follow the path of my idol Mr. Tsien, and do something useful for science and for China.
Similar to Mr. Guggenheim’s effort in aeronautics, Mr. lee has established many academic units throughout China in order to stimulate the cultural and intellectual growth in our country. The seeds that he has planted, including the one today, will surely bear glorious fruits in the not too distant future. In fact, Mr. Lee’s philanthropic activities have extended beyond the academics to include the development of medical and health facilities, as well as his ready response in times of natural disaster such as earthquakes. Indeed, a rough count shows that he has extended his benevolence in more than 400 projects through the years. Consequently as we celebrate the opening of this magnificent building, we also celebrate Mr. Lee’s generosity, and pledge our dedication to the accomplishment of his vision. As partners, Mr. Lee, we shall walk this path together, and make a difference in humanity.
Thank you.
