The Chinese New Year Staff Party, held on 7 February, was full of festive fun and joy for the more than 1,000 City University staff members who gathered in the Chan Tai Ho Multi-Purpose Hall to celebrate the Year of the Goat.

This year, the party's happy atmosphere was particularly appreciated by staff, given the current tough times in Hong Kong. Welcoming the Year of the Goat, CityU President Professor H K Chang extended the meaning of the Chinese character for goat (羊) to wish the University good fortune and prosperity. Professor Chang also expressed gratitude to all staff for their hard work over the years and encouraged them to

think about new initiatives to mark the new year. "We should do new things to make the University really serve society. At the beginning of the year, we should remind ourselves we need to rely on our ingenuity and effort to make CityU a better university for Hong Kong, from both the accountability point of view, and from the knowledge point of view," said Professor Chang.

The party started with a lion dance performance by the Liang Youquan Martial Art Club. After the eye-dotting and the "get-the-green" ceremony, Professor Chang hit a bronze gong and couplets hanging on both sides of the backdrop scrolled down. Accompanied by the Vice-Presidents, department heads and four "Gods of Fortune" (Mr Desmond O'Toole, Dr Ho To-ming, Professor Lee Chin-chuan and Mr Eric Chang), Professor Chang gave Chinese new year wishes and distributed lai see (lucky red packets) to colleagues.

Other highlights included a musical performance by the CityU Chinese Orchestra, the CityU Choir, and two Chinese songs performed by Professor Y S Wong, Vice-President (Administration). Mr Zenneth Kok, a third-year student in the School of Law, amazed the audience with his conjuring tricks.

Before entering the Chan Tai Ho Multi-Purpose Hall, staff enjoyed a buffet lunch while watching a variety of festive entertainments, including a martial arts performance and Chinese handicraft display, and taking part in riddle games. Lucky draws, sponsored by senior staff members, were the final jackpot. A total of 168 attractive prizes were given out, including a HK$3,388 red packet given by the President, four HK$1,388 red packets given by Professor Edmond Ko, Vice-President (Undergraduate Education), Professor David Tong, Vice-President (Academic Affairs), Professor Y S Wong, Vice-President (Administration), and Dr Jerry Yu, Chief Information Officer, kitchen appliances, a television, digital cameras, and cash coupons.

Organized by the Human Resources Office, with the help of the Facilities Management Office, Catering Services, and other departments, staff voted the party a great success.