The City University Postgraduate Association (CUPA) celebrated its 10th anniversary at the inauguration ceremony on 15 May of its new Executive Committee at the City Top Restaurant on campus.

The new committee promised to create a more unified postgraduate student community and a campus environment that was more conducive to scholarly study and research.

During the ceremony, which started off with the National Anthem, Mr Pan Zaifa, the outgoing CUPA President, handed Ms Mandi Leung, a Year 2 student on the MA in Public Policy and Management programme, a candle to symbolize Mandi assuming her post as President of the 10th CUPA Executive Committee. She then pledged along with her committee members to serve the CityU postgraduate student community.

Guests of honour included Professor H K Chang, CityU President; Professor Roderick Wong, Vice-President (Research) and Dean of Graduate Studies; Professor Anthony Cheung, Professor of the Department of Public and Social Administration; and Mr Zhang Xueli, Division Chief of Youth Department, Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong SAR.

“CityU prides itself on postgraduates who develop as all-rounded members of the local and regional community,” Professor Chang said. “During the past decade, I witnessed the formation and growth of CUPA, and today I am very pleased to see a dedicated team of capable postgraduate students devoted to public service.”

“In addition to fostering friendship among members,” Professor Chang added, “one of CUPA's key roles is to nurture intellectual growth and exchange. I believe postgraduate students, with their maturity and professional experience, can best achieve this mission.”

Professor Chang congratulated the officers and said he hoped they would help CityU scale new heights as an internationally-recognized university in the region.

In her inauguration speech, Mandi said CUPA had established credibility and recognition from schools, society and members of the Association over the past decade.

“CUPA serves a diverse student body, including full-time, part-time, taught postgraduate, research and PhD students, from different background and nationalities,” Mandi said.

“We hope CUPA will provide a common platform for members to share their unique experience and culture, on topics relating to academia, research, career development or personal growth.”

Having taken her undergraduate and postgraduate education at CityU, Mandi said she hoped all students at CityU would have a memorable and rewarding student life. She said CUPA would organize events to further enhance a sense of belonging among postgraduate students. Planned activities include the 10th Anniversary Ball, Inter-U Exchange Education Tour, Career Matching, company visits, and dinner talk series.

CUPA was established in 1996. It is a student body for all postgraduate students at CityU. It has played an important role in promoting a better academic and research environment by serving as a communication channel between its members and the University. It now has a membership of 6,000.