Campus Digest

HKBU welcomes freshmen at Convocation and confers Honorary University Fellowships on six distinguished persons

06 Sep 2016

{{currentSlide}} / 2
HKBU confers Honorary University Fellowships: (from left) President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Roland Chin, Deputy Council Chairman Mrs Pamela Chan, Mrs Susan So Chan Wai-hang, Mr Alfred Lee, Mr Cheng Kok-kong, Council and Court Chairman Mr Cheng Yan-kee, Ms Belinda Hung, Mr Tommy Li, Dr Jacinto Tong, and Council Treasurer Mrs Doreen Chan
Freshmen declare the student charter at the ceremony

 

The University welcomed a new cohort of over 1,300 undergraduate students and international exchange students at its 61st Convocation today (6 September). On the occasion, the University also conferred Honorary University Fellowships on six distinguished persons in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society and their highly valued support to the University. The six Honorary University Fellowship recipients are Mr Cheng Kok-kong, Ms Belinda Hung Kwai-yi, Mr Alfred Lee Tak-kong, Mr Tommy Li Ying-sang, Mrs Susan So Chan Wai-hang and Dr Jacinto Tong Man-leung.

In his speech, President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Roland Chin said HKBU is committed to nurturing students to be well-rounded global citizens who serve the community and the world. He encouraged students to acquire three important abilities in their four years of study, which would form the basis of their educational goals at HKBU. The first is to learn beyond the knowledge that is “Googleable” in order to join the ranks of thinkers, innovators and world-changers. Secondly, they should prepare to be employable for a career which may not be known through developing lifelong learning and adaptability, and acquiring diversity in thinking and perspectives and breadth of knowledge. Thirdly, they should prepare to be globally able and competent in the face of job mobility.

In addition, Professor Chin encouraged students to make the most of their opportunities at HKBU and take advantage of the growing diversity of the HKBU family, in terms of culture, backgrounds, talents and perspectives. He recommended them to keep an open mind and actively participate in open exchange of views as well as to develop understanding of global issues through international exchange, global internship, and service learning around the world. He said: “In the coming four years, make the most of your learning experiences. Go beyond Google, go beyond the preparation for your first job, and go beyond Hong Kong to get ready for your place in the world.” Professor Chin expressed his hopes for students to take inspiration from the six Honorary University Fellows in order to develop their own careers and contribute to the world.

Speaking on behalf of the Honorary University Fellows, Ms Belinda Hung expressed their gratitude to HKBU for bestowing the distinguished honour on them. She praised the University for its commitment to academic excellence in teaching, research and service, and to the development of whole person education. It is more than the capacity to think clearly and independently, but also about cultivating social, emotional, physical, and ethical development and to foster creativity, appreciation of the arts and humanities, and character building. Ms Hung encouraged students to challenge themselves by taking courses unrelated to their major disciplines in order to discover their hidden talent, interests or potential.

Please click here to view the online photo album.