The University of Hong Kong (HKU), the oldest and most prestigious institution of higher learning in the city, celebrates its 90th anniversary this year.

A special exhibition, being held at the university's Museum and Art Gallery, features architectural models, artifacts, and photographs and provides a survey of the university's history -- from its founding as a single-building institution in March 1911, to the broad multifaceted campus at present.

Cradle of noted figures

The university, situated at Pokfulam Road in the Mid-Levels, had provided education to many noted figures, including Anson Chan Fang On-Sang, the former administrative secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Zhang Ailing, a contemporary Chinese writer. Most importantly, Sun Yat-sen, founder of modern China, was also a graduate of the Hong Kong College of Medicine, the predecessor of the University of Hong Kong.

"Indeed, the University of Hong Kong is an important link to the history of Hong Kong. Its students have written many chapters of Hong Kong history," said Yeung Chun-tong, director of the University Museum and Art Gallery.

Faculties and students

When teaching commenced in the September of 1912, the university had three faculties: Medicine, Engineering and Arts, with a total of 71 students. Its first congregation took place in 1916 for 23 students.

Currently, the university had 10 faculties and over 14,000 students.

The last congregation, the 162nd for the university, which took place on November 29, 2001, saw 2,840 first degrees and 1,686 higher degrees conferred upon its graduates.

"Over the years, the university has been through thick and thin, yet the vivacious spirit of the University of Hong Kong will prevail. Just as it was in the past, the university will continue to grow alongside Hong Kong in the future," Yeung said.

Backgrounder -- the University of Hong Kong (HKU)

Incorporated under a Hong Kong Ordinance (Chapter 1053 of 1964), the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is the oldest tertiary education institution in Hong Kong. On March 16, 1910, Sir Frederick Lugard, the then Governor of Hong Kong, laid the foundation stone for the University. Two years later, the University celebrated its official opening together with its two founding Faculties of Engineering and Medicine (the latter was the successor of Hong Kong College of Medicine). In December 1916, the University held its first Congregation with 28 graduates.

As a pre-eminent international university in Asia, HKU seeks to sustain and enhance its excellence as an institution of higher learning through outstanding teaching and world-class research so as to produce well- rounded graduates with lifelong abilities to provide leadership within the societies they serve.