Media

The 176th Congregation of The University of Hong Kong

27 Nov 2007

 

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) conferred degrees upon a total of 6,393 graduates at the 176^th Congregation held today (November 27) at the Hong Kong Coliseum. This year, 323 graduates were awarded degrees at the doctoral level, 2,782 at the master level, and 3,288 received bachelor degree. The Pro-Chancellor of the University, Dr the Hon David K P Li, presided over the Congregation.

HKU Vice-Chancellor Professor Lap-Chee Tsui congratulated all graduates on behalf of the University. He told the graduates that they would always be members of the HKU Family, to whom the University wants to share with all HKU's successes, locally, nationally and internationally.

"I am sure that you have contributed and will continue to contribute to its successes. And indeed, the University will be counting on your support and loyalty to help us ensure that the HKU experience will be as special for future generations of students as it was for you," Professor Tsui said in addressing the graduands.

Echoing Professor Tsui's appeal, Dr Leong Che-Hung, Guest of Honour of the ceremony, asked the graduates to utilize their university education to the full, keep up their impetus and raise their alma mater to new heights.

In his address, Dr Leong said university graduates nowadays must look beyond getting a good job, having a decent living, and raising a family as a law abiding citizen.

"The world is getting smaller, whether it be economics upheaval or public health catastrophe in any part of the world, Hong Kong will be affected in real time.  We must therefore equip ourselves with global and wide vision. 

"Moreover, we in Hong Kong are not living in 'a borrowed place and on borrowed time' anymore. We have moved from a colonial setting to be masters of our own home.  It is your responsibility therefore as future pillar of Hong Kong to make this place a better place to live in for yourself and your families.  You should participate more not only in your chosen profession, but also in the society.  Ample opportunities are at your doorsteps."

In the same token, Dr Leong said universities nowadays have to be "institutions without walls", which are parts of the local and global community, responding to the needs of the community, and grow with the community.

Besides providing whole-person education to prepare graduates for capacity to reason, to analyze and to learn for life, universities are also a place for research - both applied research that society requires and also innovative creative researches that could only materialize in an environment of free academic exchange offered only in a university setting.

Dr Leong said the wide ambits of universities have made it impossible for any government to shoulder the entire tertiary education bill, and universities must seek the total support of the community. Taking the example of HKU, the funding from the Government through the University Grants Committee (UGC) accounted only for 40% of HKU's total expenditure; while UGC's funding for research merely accounts for 25% of the total amount the University needs.

He said community's support to the University was therefore paramount - which included not only generous donations from philanthropists, but also other forms of support like offering mentorship, internship and exchanges for students to widen their horizons.

For enquiries, please contact Senior Manager (Media) Ms Cherry Cheung (Tel: 2859 2606 / E-mail: cherry.cheung@hku.hk); or Manager (Media) Ms Denise Wong (Tel: 2859 2600 / E-mail: denise.wong@hku.hk )