Media

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) held an inauguration ceremony today (August 31) to welcome new students for the academic year 2022-23. Nearly 1,500 students attended the ceremony at the Grand Hall or watched live streaming of the event in the nearby Lecture Hall of the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre.

As HKU enters its 111th Anniversary, this year’s inauguration ceremony has been given a special theme – “Embracing Change”. Addressing students in a welcoming speech, Professor Richard Wong, Acting HKU President and Vice-Chancellor encouraged the new class of undergraduates to reach out and explore the exciting things the university has to offer, together with fellow students and teachers, so as to make their journey here a fruitful one.

Professor Wong shared with the new students the essence of being a member of the HKU family and said: “By joining the university, this family, you have really joined a place, that is, roughly speaking, an eternal connection.” 

“All of us will be connected to students and alumni of the past as well as of the future. They are spread all over the world, and they will all value your contribution in the years ahead,” he added.

Professor Wong reminded the students to consider the University as a place where they can foster, create, mould and contribute. He urged the students to take responsibility for themselves as members of the community and contribute to the growth of the University.

“We as teachers, here, all of us, try to help you along the way. But it is you who will in the long run shape, influence and mould the university,” Professor Wong said.

Finally, he encouraged students to embrace change and said: “You are part of the change and you will shape and mould the change. We will try to support you in whatever way we can.”

HKU will resume face-to-face classes for all undergraduate programmes in the new semester starting tomorrow (September 1). Students are reminded to pay close attention to personal and public health and hygiene. Those attending classes are required to comply with the University’s health protocols.

Video clips of the ceremony and sound bites from Professor Richard Wong's speech can be downloaded from this link. 

Media enquiries
Communication and Public Affairs Office
Ms Melanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600 / Email: melwkwan@hku.hk)
Ms Jaymee Ng (Tel: 3910 3612 / Email: ngjaymee@hku.hk)
Mr Kenneth Choi (Tel: 2859 2607 / Email: khkchoi@hku.hk)