CNews Issue 3, 2009

62 In Memoriam Corazon Cojuangco Aquino 亞基諾．科拉桑 (Hon LLD 1993) Corazon Conjuangco Aquino, the 11 th President of the Philippines, passed away on August 1, 2009 at the age of 76. Cory, as she was affectionately called, received her education in the Philippines and the United States. She married her husband Ninoy in 1954 and they had five children together. When Ninoy was assassinated in 1983, Cory declared that she was “widowed of a man but remained wedded to his cause”; the cause was to unite the nation and bring it peace. In 1986, Cory led the “people power” revolution that instigated the toppling of Ferdinand Marcos from power. In the six years that followed, her administration fought for the ideals of a democratic Philippines and worked hard to grapple with problems such as poverty and social injustice. Of herself, Cory once said: “I have not always won, but, to the very end, I never shirked a fight and did not lose the last one.” This valiant fighter and reluctant leader saw the founding of a new republic and will be remembered as a president who not only overthrew an unconstitutional and tyrannical regime but also led a transition which reinstituted a democratic government in the Philippines. In 1993, she was conferred the Degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa by HKU for her contributions to cherishing the ideals of democratic principles. Professor Jimmy Chan 陳永昌 (BSc 1960; MA(Ed) 1969) Professor Chan passed away on May 27, 2009, at the age of 74. Professor Chan was a loyal and true friend to the University. He was a member of the Standing Committee (1960-1973), Clerk (1973-1979), Deputy Chairman (1979-1993) of Convocation, and Member of the Court (1973-1993) of the University. After graduating from HKU, Professor Chan pursued his Doctoral degree at the University of London; then went to the University of Melbourne to undertake postdoctoral research study before returning to Hong Kong. Professor Chan devoted himself to the development of psychology in Hong Kong and the Mainland, rising in the ranks of his profession to become one of Hong Kong’s most prominent psychologists. He helped to establish the Hong Kong Psychological Society and was elected Fellow of the Society in 1982 and later President in 1993. “He was so much a part of the history of the HKPsS (Hong Kong Psychological Society) and he took his responsibilities to develop both the profession, through the Society, as well as the teaching of Psychology very seriously.” Professor John A Spinks Director of Undergraduates Admissions and International Students Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, HKU