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In Memory of Professor Ma Lin 1924–2017
Professor Ma Lin, the second Vice-Chancellor of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (1978 – 1987), passed away on 16 October 2017, aged 93.
Professor Ma Lin was a scholar and educator of great vision and passion. He was generous with his guidance of students and young scholars. Under his leadership CUHK built a solid foundation for subsequent development on many fronts. His passing is a sad loss for both the University and the higher education sector.
Professor Ma Lin was educated at the West China Union University and later the University of Leeds, where he studied protein chemistry and was awarded a PhD in 1955. A career in research and teaching followed. After a year in England as post-doctoral fellow at University College Hospital (London) and St. James’s University Hospital (Leeds), he returned to Hong Kong in 1957 to teach at the University of Hong Kong. His long association with CUHK started in 1964 when he joined as Senior Lecturer and helped to set up the new Department of Biochemistry. For his outstanding scholarship he was named the Founding Chair of Biochemistry in 1973, and then the Dean of Science. In 1978 he was appointed Vice-Chancellor and steered its development until 1987, when he retired from the University after a service of 23 years.
A distinguished biochemist and trailblazing educator, Professor Ma Lin believed that the important missions of a modern university are teaching, research and public service, and that it is the duty of the university management to strike a proper balance between the three. He was proactive as a Vice-Chancellor, and was always willing to canvass views from the academics and other stakeholders. Under his leadership, CUHK completed the implementation of the recommendations of the second Fulton Report of 1976, established the Faculty of Medicine, planned and established Shaw College, launched the part-time degree programmes and the PhD programmes, recruited more talented students with the Provisional Acceptance Scheme, adopted a flexible credit system and strengthened the General Education programmes. In the same period, CUHK had also enhanced its infrastructure, garnered support and donations for its capital programmes and research, and strengthened its ties with mainland and overseas institutions.
Professor Ma Lin was the first Chairman and Senior Advisor of the Board of Trustees of Shaw College, Emeritus Chair Professor, Honorary Fellow and Doctor of Laws, honoris causa of CUHK. He was also one of the founding members of the Shaw Prize. His life and contributions are well captured by a sentence in the citation for his Degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa: ‘As a scientist, Professor Ma brought to his office a logical mind with a penchant for rational arguments; at the same time, when all was said and done, he was fully capable of taking decisions with the wisdom of one who had a Confucian upbringing.’
Professor Ma Lin is survived by his wife, three daughters and six grandchildren. The paying of respects and memorial service will take place at 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm on 27 October 2017 (Friday), respectively, at the Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, Hong Kong; and the funeral service will be held on 28 October, 2017 (Saturday), at 10:00 am, at St. Stephen’s Church, 71 Bonham Road, Hong Kong.
