V23I1 Special

15 steadiness of purpose was the most constant characteristic of Chinese people and this would provide the Hong Kong College of Medicine with a solid foundation for making significant contributions to the community and realising its ambitions to advance the well-being of China. Sir William also addressed the gathering and spoke of his hopes for improving the Government’s financial situation and supporting the College in future. At the end of the ceremony, the designated third dean, Professor FW Clark and Chief Judge J.J. Francis expressed thanks for the efforts of all involved. The celebrations then got underway with a private dinner hosted by Dean Cantlie at the renowned Mount Austin Hotel on the Peak for his two graduates and his important friends, including Sir William, Colonial Secretary J. Stewart Lockhart and Major-General Digby Barker. As the dinner came to an end, the guests broke into a rendition of “Auld Lang Syne”, celebrating the friendships that would endure well beyond the College years and the party. However, there was one dark cloud over the event: the Licentiates were not looking at the brightest of prospects. They were not legally permitted to practice in colonial Hong Kong (local graduates would not earn this right until The University of Hong Kong was founded in 1912), despite being granted a diploma in medicine there. Dr Sun would earn renown as a politician and the founder of the Republic of China in 1912, whereas Dr Kong would serve as a doctor in Sandakan, Malaysia for more than 40 years. Examination paper of Dr Kong Ying-wah pq Examination paper of Dr Sun Yat-sen Photo courtesy of Wellcome Collection London