Welcome to the 48th edition of CUHK in Focus.
The start of a new academic year is always filled with excitement and anticipation. It gave me great pleasure to welcome different groups of new CUHK members at various occasions. This week, we were proud to begin the new semester with an inauguration ceremony and a flag-raising ceremony on our main campus. I was pleased to meet with our freshmen, who have just commenced their journey of lifelong learning, growth and discovery with us. As CUHK concluded its diamond jubilee celebrations in June and officially strides into its next decade of development, we count on all of our students to carry on our proud legacy of academic excellence and steadfast commitment to society that have spanned over sixty years. I hope all students will take advantage of the incredible privilege to pursue higher education and expand their intellectual horizons at CUHK, gain appreciation of the varying responsibilities that will come with their future roles in society, and learn to apply the knowledge and skills they acquire here in service of the greater good.
I was delighted to welcome all faculty members joining CUHK this year at an orientation activity last week. Our new teachers have impressed me with their contagious energy, passion for their subjects, and boundless enthusiasm for inspiring young people to learn and grow. I am grateful for the fresh perspectives and expertise they bring to our team, which are essential for nurturing our students as future-ready talents. I look to them to push the boundaries of traditional teaching and learning – experimenting with new technologies, incorporating interdisciplinary elements, and promoting experiential learning. I wish all faculty members, new and continuing, a successful and rewarding experience in fostering an enriching and supportive environment where every student can thrive.
CUHK is committed to cultivating an environment rich in multicultural elements so that our students will be able to interact with local and international peers and gain a global perspective. Since 1965, we have been welcoming exchange students to experience the unique education CUHK offers and discover the perfect blend of contrasts where East meets West in Hong Kong. Over the years, CUHK has remained as one of the most popular destinations for exchange students from different parts of the world. This semester, we are thrilled to receive some 480 incoming students of 48 different nationalities hailing from 19 countries and regions. I was happy to meet them at a welcome dinner in traditional Chinese style earlier this week where I discussed their aspirations from their time with us and what brought them to Hong Kong. I truly appreciate their courage and determination to step outside their comfort zone to immerse themselves in a foreign culture. I wish them all the best in making the most of their time at CUHK.
Public showcase of research and entrepreneurial achievements
The “CUHK Entrepreneur Day 10th Anniversary Innovation and Entrepreneurship Exhibition” took place at New Town Plaza in Sha Tin from 22 to 28 August 2024. We were honoured to invite Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR government, to officiate at the opening ceremony of the exhibition. Since 2015, CUHK has hosted the “CUHK Entrepreneur Day” every year, with the generous sponsorship from the CUHK Alumni Torch Fund. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of our annual signature event, we brought this year’s Entrepreneur Day to the local community for the first time, allowing University members to showcase to the public their cutting-edge research and innovations in the fields of medical technology, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and robotics. Under the inspiring theme “CUHK Innovations · Brightening the Future”, the exhibition featured innovative exhibits from CUHK’s InnoHK research centres, RAISe+ project teams, unicorn companies and start-up ventures from the CUHK Shenzhen Research Institute and the alumni community, as well as interactive games and STEM workshops for the public to see how CUHK’s innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem helps shape the future of Hong Kong as a leading international innovation and technology hub that brings tangible benefits to humanity. The CUHK community looks forward to working collectively with the government and industry to drive impactful change for the betterment of society.
Warm greetings to new students at CUHK-Shenzhen
Last Sunday, I was honoured to attend the inauguration ceremony for new undergraduate and postgraduate students at CUHK-Shenzhen in my capacity as the Chairman of the Governing Board. The new students come from all parts of China, including Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, and there is also a growing number of international students. This reflects the University’s dedication to internationalisation and cultivating talent in the Greater Bay Area and beyond.
This is a special year marking the 10th anniversary of CUHK-Shenzhen. For the past decade, thanks to the hard work and commitment to excellence of all students, alumni and staff, CUHK-Shenzhen has been consistently recognised as the best Sino-foreign collaborative university in the nation, commanding the highest Gaokao cutoff score for undergraduate admissions across Guangdong Province. I hope all students, who have traveled a long and challenging path, both physically and figuratively, to study at CUHK-Shenzhen, will embrace the diverse and enriching educational experience at this innovative, globally-focused institution to equip themselves with professional knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on the world.
Tribute to outstanding academic
Last week, Professor Ronald Ma from the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics of CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine, delivered his inaugural lecture as the esteemed S.H. Ho Professor in Diabetes. This significant achievement would not have been possible without the immense support of a dear friend and unwavering advocate of CUHK, Dr Ho Tzu-leung, who has generously established this prestigious endowed professorship in honour of his late father, Mr Ho Sin Hang. Dr Ho and his family have consistently shown great passion for different areas of CUHK’s institutional advancement, including the founding, construction and continuous development of the S.H. College, as well as the establishment of numerous scholarships and endowment funds, and the launch of various research projects and facilities.
With diabetes being one of the major health challenges in the modern world, personalised care and early intervention to mitigate related complications play a critical role in improving the lives of patients. I am sure the prestigious named professorship and generous donation from Dr Ho would enable Professor Ma and his team to develop translational research outcomes for the common good. May I extend my warmest congratulations to Professor Ma on receiving this well-deserved honour and thank Dr Ho for supporting CUHK in its endeavours to enhance the well-being of all.
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
