Ma Lin Collection

Collection

Identifier: HK CVU ua/1002

Staff Only

The Ma Lin Collection consists of materials created and collected by the late Professor Ma Lin in the course of his personal and professional life. Materials include personal correspondence, publications, academic records, employment records, awards, medals, certificates, speeches and notes related to the study of biochemistry. The Collection also consists of photo albums, manuscripts and drafted documents relating to various university events, such as the establishment of the Shaw College at CUHK. Moreover, the Collection contains materials from his wife, Dr. Chen Meng Hua, documenting her professional life.

Dates

1929-2013

Creator

Ma, Lin, 1924- (Person)
Chen, Meng Hua (Person)

Language of Materials

Chinese and English

Conditions Governing Access

Access to the Collection is restricted by legal requirements, written agreements with the donor(s) and policies of the CUHK University Archives. Users are required to sign the request form to access the collection. Records containing personal data which might constitute intrusion of privacy are not available for access. Please contact the University Archives regarding access to the Collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Researchers are responsible to abide by the law of copyright and privacy. The copyright in the Collection may be held by the creators, donors or any other persons. Researchers must obtain written permissions from the copyright holder(s) and the University Archivist prior to publishing any materials in the Collection. The Collection may contain materials with personal, sensitive or confidential information that is protected under privacy law. Researchers must note that the disclosure or use of certain information pertaining to identifiable individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals or concerned parties may have legal ramifications for which The Chinese University of Hong Kong assumes no responsibility.

Extent

18 linear feet (37 Boxes)

Additional Description

Biographical / Historical

Professor Ma Lin (1924-2017) was a distinguished academic leader, and played a pivotal role in the shaping of CUHK. Born in Beijing, Professor Ma completed his secondary education in King’s College, Hong Kong and developed his interest in Chemistry. He earned the Bachelor of Science degree from West China Union University. He obtained his PhD from the University of Leeds in 1955. Later on, his interest in Clinical Biochemistry brought him to pursue postdoctoral fellowship at University College Hospital (London) and St. James’ Hospital (Leeds). In 1957, he returned to Hong Kong, and appointed as a Lecturer at Queen Mary Hospital.

Professor Ma joined the CUHK in 1964, and set up the Department of Biochemistry. His remarkable research earned him the Founding Chair of Biochemistry. In the meantime, his outstanding scholarship and leadership led him to the appointment of the Dean of Science in 1973, and the Second Vice Chancellor of CUHK in 1978. His contributions to the university had brought new heights, from the establishment of the Faculty of Medicine, the launch of the part-time degree and PhD programmes, Provisional Acceptance Scheme for talented students, adopting a flexible credit system and strengthening the General Education programme. Moreover, his leadership drove many major upgrades in research, community support and building infrastructure to meet increasing demands for staff and students at the time, where CUHK had grew in academic excellence and gained its international standing.

After his retirement in 1987, Professor Ma remained active in the University and the community. He took up the first Chairmanship of the Board of Trustees of Shaw College and played an important role in the establishment of the College. He assisted the philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw to support the development of education and medical services in China and Hong Kong. He became the founding council member of The Shaw Prize, in hopes of enriching international scholarship and advancement. For public service, he served as the Convenor of two sub-groups of the Hong Kong Basic Law Drafting Committee: Education, Science and Arts, and Hong Kong Flag and Emblem.

Professor Ma received honorary degrees from universities in Hong Kong, China and abroad. Among many awards were from Britain, Japan and Germany.

Reference:
https://honfellow.cuhk.edu.hk/Citation/en/2_malin.pdf
https://www.iso.cuhk.edu.hk/images/publication/ma-lin-2017/html5/?lang=en#31/z
https://cuhk.edu.cn/en/article/3265
https://www.shawprize.org/about/organisation/

Arrangement

Organized into nine series:
1. Photo Albums, 1978-1992;
2. School Records, 1929-1955;
3. HKU-related Records, 1961-1964;
4. CUHK-related Records, 1964-2013;
5. Interviews & Features, 1977-1997;
6. Honours, 1979-2017;
7. Miscellenous, 1947-2012;
8. Chen Meng Hua Records, 1942-1996;
9. Oversized Materials, 1956, undated