Campus Digest

HKBU welcomes freshmen at its 59th Convocation and confers Honorary University Fellowships on five distinguished persons

16 Sep 2014

HKBU confers Honorary University Fellowships: (from left) HKBU Council Treasurer Mrs Doreen Chan, Mr Wong Nga-chung, Mr Shen Jinkang, HKBU Council and Court Chairman Mr Cheng Yan-kee, Mr Dickson Shang, Mrs Mary Suen, HKBU Deputy Council Chairman Mrs Pamela Chan, and President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Albert Chan HKBU confers Honorary University Fellowships: (from left) HKBU Council Treasurer Mrs Doreen Chan, Mr Wong Nga-chung, Mr Shen Jinkang, HKBU Council and Court Chairman Mr Cheng Yan-kee, Mr Dickson Shang, Mrs Mary Suen, HKBU Deputy Council Chairman Mrs Pamela Chan, and President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Albert Chan
HKBU confers Honorary University Fellowships: (from left) HKBU Council Treasurer Mrs Doreen Chan, Mr Wong Nga-chung, Mr Shen Jinkang, HKBU Council and Court Chairman Mr Cheng Yan-kee, Mr Dickson Shang, Mrs Mary Suen, HKBU Deputy Council Chairman Mrs Pamela Chan, and President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Albert Chan

 

The University welcomed a new batch of undergraduate students and international exchange students and conferred Honorary University Fellowships (HUF) on five distinguished persons at its 59th Convocation and HUF Conferment Ceremony today (16 September). Honorary University Fellowships were conferred on Mr Gan Chee-eng (in absentia), Mr Dickson TY Shang, Mr Shen Jinkang, Mrs Mary TM Suen and Mr Wong Nga-chung in recognition of their outstanding contributions to society and in appreciation of their highly valued support to the University. 

 

In his speech, Professor Albert Chan, President and Vice-Chancellor of HKBU, praised the Honorary University Fellows as role models and a source of inspiration to HKBU students and hoped the University would receive their continued guidance and support in the years to come. President Chan also shared with freshmen the two crucial elements – explore and innovate – that will guide them on their University journey. He said: “University is a place where students have the freedom to explore different kinds of knowledge and discover their interests and talents. I urge you to make the most of the opportunity to forge your own path and encourage you to use the knowledge and skills you gain here in creative ways, because innovation is what the world needs most today.”

 

In addition, President Chan briefed students on the seven graduate attributes (citizenship, knowledge, lifelong learning, skills, creativity, communication and teamwork) and said he hoped they would develop into well-rounded individuals who embody the ideals of whole person education through the diversity of activities and learning experiences, cross disciplinary courses and caring campus environment at HKBU when they graduate in the future.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Honorary University Fellows, Mr Dickson Shang expressed their gratitude to HKBU for bestowing the distinguished honour on them. He said: “Though coming from different backgrounds, we all share something in common – we are all stakeholders of the University and strong believers of ‘whole person education’, the ethos of HKBU.” Mr Shang also shared with students his observations gained from over the years from giving and being an Oxfam Trailwalker. He explained that one who gives and is willing to take up extra responsibilities without expecting reciprocal return would eventually succeed, simply because he or she garners support through taking up the roles of both a team player and a team leader. Since life is full of ups and downs, smooth and bumpy roads, one does not have to win every battle and does not always have to be the first at the finish line; trust and respect from others on the other hand is more important. Mr Shang hoped students bear in mind that one’s real wealth is not measured by how much money one has, but how much trust and respect one has from others – this is the most valuable asset.

 

In his welcome sharing, Mr Mio Chan, President of the HKBU Students’ Union, said the differences between secondary education and university education are the atmosphere of academic freedom and the cultivation in students the awareness of social affairs and justice. He said: “At a time when society makes higher demands on people, university students are accorded great expectations. This represents great opportunities for us to exercise our talents.”