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A ground-breaking ceremony was held on 17 December by The Chinese University of Hong Kong to kick off the construction of Morningside College, one of its newest colleges. Officiating at the ceremony were Dr. Gerald L. Chan, member of the Planning Committee for Morningside College and Director of the Morningside Foundation; Mr. Ronnie C. Chan, Director of the Morningside Foundation.

Morningside College was created with generous gifts from the Morningside Foundation which was set up by the Chan Family. CUHK Vice-Chancellor Professor Lawrence J. Lau is grateful for the support it received, including the generous donations from the Si Yuan Foundation and The Starr Foundation.

"At Morningside College, we seek to nurture the intellect of students who are all too accustomed to being asked merely to proffer text-book answers," said Dr. Gerald L. Chan, "We want students to be prepared for the future they will face by being guided to think logically, critically, and creatively."

Overseas study and service activities conducted by students will also be an important feature of the Morningside College experience. "Students at Morningside College will be encouraged not just to learn about the world but to serve it," remarked Mr. Ronnie C. Chan, "Not only will the world be a better place for their efforts, but they themselves will live more meaningful, satisfying lives."

The College is expected to accept its first students in the fall of 2010, and will accommodate a total of 300 students-in-residence each year at equilibrium. Students will reside and dine in the College, as will the College Master. Professor Sir James A. Mirrlees, 1996 Nobel Laureate in Economics, will serve as founding Master of the College. "The College is not only for learning, though that is a great thing," Professor Mirrlees observed. "It will also open the way to independent ideas and creativity. All our students have that potential. We mean to release it."