Media

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) today (August 25) welcomed its new students to the HKU family at the annual Inauguration Ceremony.

The ceremony was officiated by HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui. Dr. Thomas Chan, Chief Executive Officer of World Vision China, and Area Director, East Asia, of World Vision International, was the Guest of Honour. 

The University has admitted about 3,000 new undergraduate students in various programmes this academic year.

In his inauguration address, Professor Tsui encouraged the students to open their mind and be receptive to new ideas, and to benefit from the wide variety of learning opportunities at HKU by actively participating in co-curricular activities organized by student-led associations, internship and exchange programmes, and mentorship schemes.

"You will discover abilities, strengths, and ambitions in yourself that you did not even know you had. These activities will help you develop the ability and the attitude handle what we call "ill-defined problems"."

"As HKU students, you are expected to think independently, critically and deeply. Freedom of intellectual thought and personal expression is something that HKU has always stood for. But you are also expected to be honest to yourselves, to hold the highest moral standards, and to be responsible individuals," he added.

Mr Thomas Chan, the Guest of Honour and an HKU alumnus, passed on to students the wisdom of sharing from their predecessors.

"If one wishes to have a really meaningful life, the pursuit of financial gain alone should not be our life goal." He encouraged students to volunteer their talent and time to serve those in need.

"By coming face to face with those in need we experience the harsh realities of poverty firsthand. This will build empathy, and empathy forms the basis of a compassionate society," he added.

Acting Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong University Students' Union Mr. Vincent Fok urged fellow students to make good use of the opportunities in front of them.

"Study is not limited to the learning experience in formal classes ........... how much you are going to achieve, is also up to your own preference." Mr Fok advised the students to learn their society, locally and globally.

"You will be learning in an "internationalized" campus where a large diversity of cultures and ideologies are integrated, there are chances for you to discover more across the border and acquire an international outlook, for instance, through living in a residential hall," he added.

Other procession members were Deputy Vice-Chancellor-Designate Professor Roland Chin, Pro-Vice-Chancellors Professor Amy Tsui, Professor Paul Tam and Professor Chow Shew-ping, Deans and Acting Deans of all ten faculties, Associate Dean of Graduate School Professor M.L. Chye, Dean of Student Affairs Dr Albert Chau, Registrar Mr Henry Wai, Librarian Dr Anthony Ferguson, Acting Chairman of Convocation Mr Choi Sau Yuk, President of the HKU Graduate Association Mr Man Cheuk Fei, and President of University of Hong Kong Alumni Association Mr Tse Sik Yan.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the guests and students joined the Vice-Chancellor for a one-minute's silence in memory of the victims in the Manila bus hijack. Among the victims were HKU alumnus Mr Kenneth Leung Kam-wing and his two daughters Doris Leung Chung See and and Jessie Leung Song Yi.

Professor Tsui saluted on behalf of the University to Mr Leung, who was killed when trying to save his wife and others.

"He will be remembered as an outstanding and brave member of the HKU family," said Professor Tsui. Mr Leung was a graduate of the Industrial Engineering Class 1977, his daughter Doris had enrolled in an HKU summer programme in the Arts.

For the speech of Professor Tsui, please visit http://www.hku.hk/cpaoesite/press/100825VC .

For media enquiries, please contact: Ms Trinni Choy (Assistant Director (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2606 / email: pychoy@hku.hk or Ms Melanie Wan (Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2600 / email: melwkwan@hku.hk.