Media

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) held an inauguration ceremony today (August 28) for the academic year 2024-25, welcoming a new cohort of undergraduate students into the university family.

This year’s inauguration ceremony adopted the theme – “Embracing the Future”. In his welcoming speech, Professor Xiang Zhang, HKU President and Vice-Chancellor, highlighted the University's 113-year history of embodying the 'Lion Rock Spirit', its resilience through wars, economic fluctuations, and pandemics, and its pride in being Asia's second highest ranked university. Professor Zhang encouraged the new undergraduates to embrace diverse interests, think beyond their future jobs and careers, and consider the positive impact they can make.

“From pandemics to the threat of climate change and rising inequalities, there are always challenges in this world. Think about how you can be the difference in the world that you inherit. Be ambitious, be brave, be creative, be different,” said Professor Zhang. 

HKU alumna Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China Holdings Inc., gave a speech as the Guest of Honour. Ms Wat imparted key life lessons derived from her personal journey, emphasising the importance of humility, empathy, and lifelong learning. She also shared her unique learning framework, advising students to perceive failure as an essential component of their learning journey, rather than a setback.

“Your own sense of hope — being optimistic and having a positive attitude — will be one of your most important assets in life. Once you have this, it’s yours, and no one can take that from you. In uncertain times, the hope that will carry you forward comes from your own inner confidence and inner strength. If you can harness that, there is no limit to what you can achieve,” said Ms Wat.

About 1,500 students attended the ceremony at the Grand Hall or watched a live stream of the event in the nearby Lecture Hall of the Lee Shau Kee Lecture Centre.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Communication and Public Affairs Office, HKU
Melanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600 / Email: melwkwan@hku.hk)
Jaymee Ng (Tel: 3910 3612 / Email: ngjaymee@hku.hk)
Kenneth Choi (Tel: 3917 2607 / Email: khkchoi@hku.hk)