Welcome to the 61st edition of CUHK in Focus.
The beautiful blossoms on campus remind us of the vitality that spring can offer. The CUHK community was delighted to begin this season of hope and renewal with the grand opening of the Lo Kwee Seong Pavilion and Harold and Christina Lee Gallery at the CUHK Art Museum on 21 March. The new extension marks a significant milestone in our campus development. Over the years, thanks to the enthusiastic support from the community, the Art Museum has upheld the University’s mission of combining tradition with modernity and bringing together China and the West. Not only has it grown to possess world-class collections of Chinese art, but it has also been actively advancing research and teaching in related fields and collaborating with international partners to promote Chinese culture globally.
The expansion of the Art Museum was made possible by the generous donations from the Lo Kwee Seong Foundation and the family of Mr and Mrs Harold Lee. Additional support from the Lee Hysan Foundation and the Bei Shan Tang Foundation has enabled the overhaul of the Museum’s aging facilities. I would like to express my gratitude to our benefactors for their unwavering support, which allows the Art Museum to step up its efforts to integrate curation, art creation, and education. Our sincere thanks also go to Miss Rosanna Law, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism; Dr Chu Xiaobo, Director of the Shanghai Museum; Dr Peter Lo, Chairman of Lo Kwee Seong Foundation; Dr Irene Lee, Chairman of Hysan Development Company Limited; and Dr Rocco Yim, the designer of the new wing and Principal of Rocco Design Architects Associates Ltd., for officiating at the opening ceremony.
Coinciding with the grand opening was the “Spring Fest” featuring diverse cultural experiences over the weekend. Members of CUHK and the public were immersed in a rich artistic atmosphere to celebrate the vibrancy of the Spring Equinox. For the coming weeks, the Art Museum will be organising the “CU Art March”, offering a myriad of programmes thoughtfully designed by our affiliates, students and creative alumni. We look forward to welcoming you on campus to be captivated by the exciting activities that present a blend of tradition and innovation.
Embracing diversity and inclusion
Earlier this week, the University organised a screening of “The Way We Talk” as a key highlight of the Diversity and Inclusion Festival 2024/25. The screening was followed by a conversation session where the film director, Adam Wong, the lead actress, Chung Suet-ying, and the lead actor, Marco Ng, shared their insights into deaf identity. Around 1,000 students, staff and alumni attended the event to appreciate the film directed by the talented Adam Wong, a proud alumnus of CUHK. The film showcases scenes filmed on our campus, and inspires us with its deep meaning.
This brilliant film allows us to admire the beauty of sign language as a visual language from a fresh perspective. Since 1993, CUHK has been developing sign language research and training programmes. The Centre for Sign Linguistics and Deaf Studies, set up in 2003, is globally recognised for its dedication to interdisciplinary research and professional training in sign language, as well as to fostering an inclusive environment for both the deaf and hearing communities, consolidating CUHK’s position as a hub for related research and training in Asia. The theme of the film aligns closely with the University’s long-standing commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion. I would like to show my appreciation to all parties involved in organising the screening, enabling members of the University to come together and gain a better understanding of deaf culture through cinema.
Celebrating students’ achievements
Since its launch in 2021, CUHK’s Co-operative Education Programme (Co-op@CUHK) has been working closely with our industry partners, donors and sponsors to provide training and work placement opportunities to our undergraduates. I was delighted to attend the Annual Ceremony of Co-op@CUHK on 14 March to celebrate the completion of six- to eight-month job placements by the third cohort of Co-op students and express our gratitude to our esteemed corporate partners spanning different sectors. The success of the Programme is a testament to the mutual commitment of CUHK and industry to developing a strong pipeline of future-ready talent. As the Programme extends its placement network beyond Hong Kong, reaching the Greater Bay Area and other Asian regions, I am eager to see it continue to foster strong connections between the University and industry, enhancing students’ employability by helping them develop international perspectives, analytical skills and creativity, while supporting corporations in identifying promising talent.
The Hong Kong Jockey Club organised its Scholarships and Fellowships Award Presentation Ceremony and High Table Dinner last week to commend outstanding local university students for their remarkable academic performance, positive attitude in the face of adversities, and commitment to community service. It gave me great pleasure to participate in the auspicious event with Professor John Chai Yat-chiu, Chairman of the University Council, and Professor Andy Wong Ka-chat, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid of CUHK, to witness an impressive number of students and alumni of CUHK being presented the Hong Kong Jockey Club Scholarships. The Hong Kong Jockey Club has long been a dedicated partner of CUHK, enthusiastically supporting our education and research endeavours. I am glad that the hard work of CUHK students and graduates is well recognised and I am sure the Scholarships will enable them to pursue their academic and career goals.
I would like to congratulate the 105 CUHK students who have been awarded the Link University Scholarship 2024/25 in recognition of their academic and community service achievements. The Scholarship is a well-established youth empowerment programme to reduce barriers to education for outstanding students who are the first in the three generations within their families to receive tertiary education in Hong Kong. Among the 12 universities in Hong Kong with students applying for the Scholarship this year, CUHK has secured the highest number of awardees, with five students receiving the Scholarship for the fourth consecutive year. I am pleased to see our students being acknowledged not only for their academic excellence, but also social commitment. Congratulations on their job well done and I hope they will continue to face all future challenges with courage and determination.
In memory of dedicated philanthropist
The CUHK community is deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Lee Shau-kee, former member of the Board of Trustees of United College, Founder of the Henderson Land Group and a legendary figure in Hong Kong’s business sector. Over the years, Dr Lee made substantial contributions to our city’s economic prosperity. As a prominent philanthropist, Dr Lee supported numerous education and cultural development initiatives in Hong Kong, mainland China and globally. His goodwill extended to the academic community, with generous donations made to higher institutions in Hong Kong. CUHK is grateful for his munificent gifts, which have been supporting multiple areas of our institutional development, including the establishment of the “Lee Shau Kee Education Foundation” scholarship to assist underprivileged students and support students to join overseas exchange programmes, and various education and research initiatives. In commemoration of Dr Lee’s exemplary generosity, the University named a teaching building the Lee Shau Kee Building and another comprehensive teaching building the Lee Shau Kee Architecture Building. He was also awarded the degree of Doctor of Social Science, honoris causa and an Honorary Fellowship of CUHK in 1993 and 2002, respectively, in recognition of his outstanding achievements in the business sector and tremendous support for education.
Dr Lee’s lifelong commitment to the prosperity of Hong Kong, mainland China, and the Asia-Pacific region, as well as his magnificent benevolence, will always be dearly remembered. May we convey our deepest condolences to his family in this time of bereavement.
Best wishes,
Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
