New students were given a warm hello at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) with a welcoming ceremony that emphasized the University’s mission and vision for transforming students into professionals.

 

The "Welcoming Ceremony of the Student Orientation 2006", which took place from 29 to 31 August under the theme "From Student to Professional", consisted of a series of interactive activities aimed at encouraging the new first-year students to use their time to study hard and prepare themselves to become ideal graduates.

 

The event started off with footage from the CityU musical City Legend,

commissioned in 1999 to celebrate CityU's 15th anniversary, and video footage of an especially-shot documentary entitled Ideal Graduates, which explores the essence of what it takes to become a successful CityU student.

 

In his welcoming address, Professor David Tong Shuk-yin, Deputy President, urged the new students to study hard at CityU. "I sincerely hope you will make good use of all the resources at CityU, utilize every opportunity to learn and grow, and strive at whole-person development," he said.

 

Professor Richard Ho Yan-ki, Vice-President for Undergraduate Education, Professor Lilian Vrijmoed Lee-ping, Dean of Student Learning, and Mr Kelvin Li Chun-fung, President of the Student Union, were at the ceremony as well. They chaired a special interactive talk. Professor invited the new students to participate in a number of games, aimed at getting students to set goals for themselves.

 

Professor Ho pointed out to the new students that once they entered the University, they were embarking upon a new journey, and he promised them that CityU would help them set their goals and help them become the future pillars of the society.

 

"You need to try your very best to transform yourselves from students into professionals," Professor Ho said.

 

The event highlight was the flag presentation ceremony, during which the school heads handed flags to student representatives. The new first-year students took an oath to do their best.

 

As a follow up, various departments and units, such as the Student Development Services, Computing Services Centre and the Run Run Shaw Library, will organize more orientation activities to familiarize the new students with their new community.

 

Susanne Wong So-shan, who is going to study for her BBA in Accountancy and Management Information System programme in the Faculty of Business through the "Student Athletes Admission Scheme", said she was very excited to be a student at CityU and a member of CityU basketball team. "I am a huge fan of the team and because I am going to live in the student hostel, I will be able to manage my time and studies well and so have lots more opportunities to train and practice," she said.

 

Matthew Leung Yui-hin of the School of Law, Liu Tsz-ying of the School of Creative Media and Chu Sin-hang of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences are joining CityU on the "A+++ Scholarship Scheme". The scheme rewards academic and sporting excellence.

 

Matthew said he had been interested in law since taking part in debating competitions while at secondary school. He had very clear career goals. "After my degree at CityU, I hope to take a master's degree and a postgraduate certificate in laws at an overseas university, and then become an outstanding lawyer," he said.

 

When asked why she chose the School of Creative Media, Tsz-ying said she had always loved drawing and photography and that she dreamed of one day working in one of the creative industries. She opted for the School of Creative Media because she had been so impressed by the quality of the work produced by the School's students at last year's Open Day. What's more, her scholarship would help lower the financial burden on her family. It was especially important since her younger sister was also at university, she pointed out.

 

Sin-hang is taking the BSocSc in Policy Studies and Administration in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and hopes to help those in need by becoming an executive in a welfare organization. "I hope I can be an exchange student one day so that I can broaden my vision and equip myself with great interpersonal skills," Sin-hang said.