Welcome to the 29th edition of CUHK in Focus.
CUHK was honoured to co-host the World Philanthropy Forum with Tsinghua University earlier this month. Spearheaded by Tsinghua and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) and first held in 2016, the Forum is now a leading platform for representatives from different parts of the world to share experiences of global philanthropy and social service, promote academic exchange and policy advocacy, as well as foster international cooperation on public charity.
In 2018, CUHK signed a memorandum of understanding which marked the commencement of our collaboration with Tsinghua, CPAFFC and The University of Hong Kong to jointly organise this meaningful event. This year’s Forum gathered more than 200 guests from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao, North America, Europe and Southeast Asia, representing business, academia, the social welfare sector, the World Health Organisation and others to join us on the CUHK campus, while more than 500,000 viewers tuned in to the livestream. Centring around the theme of “Creating a Better World; Creating a Better Future”, participants discussed a range of issues in world philanthropy, including the role of women and youth in charity work as well as the value of charity in times of disasters.
CUHK and Sha Tin in miniature
I was delighted to celebrate the opening of the CUHK 60th Anniversary Miniature Exhibition last week. From now until 17 October, the exhibition presents to members of the public a rich collection of miniature dioramas of some of CUHK’s most iconic campus fixtures against an extensive collection of exhibits showcasing Hong Kong’s unique culture, heritage and history. Universities have a unique role within the context of their local, national and global communities. CUHK has grown alongside the Sha Tin area since our establishment six decades ago, and I am thrilled to see the participation of members of our neighbour community in the exhibition. In a special nod to the area, the exhibition features several tributes to Sha Tin such as its famous dragon boat race and its scrumptious chicken congee.
With the exhibition also featuring a spectacular miniature of the Victoria Harbour skyline and several nostalgic echoes of the Hong Kong of yesteryear, I have reflected deeply on CUHK’s role in our society. With the passage of sixty years, CUHK has become a prominent feature of our city’s history and culture – and this is indeed worth celebrating. I sincerely invite you to visit the exhibition and enjoy the exhibits which symbolise the enduring 60-year journey of growth and evolution shared by CUHK and Hong Kong.
Forging partnership with the Palace Museum
It gave me great pleasure to visit Beijing for the third time this year to attend the opening ceremony of a special exhibition at the Hall of Literary Brilliance of the Palace Museum, which features 40 Song Dynasty rubbings from the collections of both the Palace Museum and the CUHK Art Museum, supplemented by selected calligraphy, paintings and objects. Dedicated to connecting Chinese culture to the world, this landmark partnership with the Palace Museum is a jewel in the crown of our commitment to the nation’s cultural heritage. The special exhibition, which sees us bring some of our most precious Chinese artworks and antiquities from Hong Kong to the capital for public showcase, is testament to the strength and significance of the collection of the CUHK Art Museum and the role it plays in advancing scholarship and public engagement in this crucial area of our national cultural consciousness.
New achievements of the CUHK community
I would like to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Adam Mak Sai-ting, Year 1 student of CUHK’s Physical Education, Exercise Science and Health Programme, on becoming the first male swimmer from Hong Kong to clinch the gold in boys’ 200m breaststroke at the World Aquatics Junior Swimming Championships. Adam joined CUHK through the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission (SALSA) Scheme, which aims to facilitate the admission of student-athletes to tertiary institutions based on their sporting talents. CUHK provides comprehensive and personalised support for student-athletes according to their learning and employment needs, allowing them to pursue their dual careers in both sports and academic developments. Many congratulations to Adam and may he and other elite athletes of CUHK achieve many more successes in their athletic pursuit!
We have recently celebrated the opening of the refurbished CUHK History Gallery. The History Gallery underwent a major makeover last year to enhance its facilities and space utility and refine its collection, which now includes historical photos, display objects, campus models, as well as interactive multimedia contents. You are warmly invited to visit the History Gallery to revisit the exciting tale of CUHK on its continuous quest for excellence.
I look forward to sharing more stories with you in the next edition.
Best wishes,
Professor Rocky S. Tuan
Vice-Chancellor and President
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
