29 September 2021

Dear Alumni,

CityU started off the new academic year by welcoming new students in a ceremony held both on campus and online on 24 August. We also launched the debut performance of the English version of the University anthem Beyond Boundaries. This is the global language version, in addition to the previously released Chinese versions. 

As I penned the lyrics, I hope to encourage students to break through boundaries, including in their academic research, sports development and future careers.  CityU is a multicultural environment with over 70% of our faculty from overseas and over 80 nationalities represented in the student body. We hope that our students will stand tall in support of diversity and harmony, treasuring friendships, and setting off on a fruitful life journey. This essence of internationalisation, the ability to accommodate diverse views in the spirit of mutual respect and collegiality are components of the “soulware” that I advocate. 

Alumna Ms Grace Lau Mo-sheung, who won an Olympic Bronze medal in the Karate Women’s Kata, is a role model for our students. Grace set ambitious goals for herself and worked hard to achieve them, which signifies the CityU spirit. In her video sharing at the welcome ceremony, she encouraged the new students to pursue their dreams and said that with the University’s support, they can fly high.

Indeed, CityU spares no effort to promote pioneering and creative initiatives, and providing inspiration for entrepreneurship. New trail-blazing initiatives include a large-scale flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme, called HK Tech 300, which provides comprehensive support to encourage CityU students, alumni and young researchers to start their entrepreneurship journey and contribute to society. 

Also demonstrating the go-beyond spirit are alumni Ms Irene Chung Yuen-ping and Ms Yeung Hiu-lam, who represented Hong Kong in wheelchair fencing and boccia, respectively, in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. We are so proud of the resilience and willpower they demonstrated in the tournaments. 

CityU is not only recognised academically; we also pay close attention to the health of the CityU community. We were the first university in Hong Kong to introduce and practice the concept of One Health. On 24 October, I will again have the great pleasure of leading a delegation of CityU athletes, including alumni, students and staff, to run in the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon, which showcases our sportsmanship and spirit of unity.

As part of our outreach efforts, the University will confer honorary doctoral degrees on Professor Gérard Mourou and alumnus Dr Rimsky Yuen Kwok-keung, GBM, SC, JP, in recognition of their significant contributions to education and the well-being of society. Additionally, the title of Honorary Fellow has been conferred on Professor Albert Ip Yuk-keung, alumnus Dr Allen Shi Lop-tak, BBS, MH, JP, Mr Wong Ming-yam, SBS, BBS, JP, and Mr Johnny Yeung Chi-hung, MH, for their substantial work in the development of, and service to, the University and the community.

On the artistic outreach front, an innovative exhibition titled “Atlas of Maritime Buddhism” is currently on show at the Indra and Harry Banga Gallery. Thanks to pioneering audiovisual technologies, the exhibition spotlights how the Maritime Silk Road enabled cultural exchanges through the diffusion of Buddhism. Check it out before the exhibition ends on 14 October.

I wish you all good health and success in all your endeavours.

Way Kuo
President and University Distinguished Professor

CityUpdate
President's Blog ─ Way to Kuo