With President Professor Way Kuo presiding, a welcoming reception was hosted by the Mainland and External Affairs Office (MEAO) of City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 25 September, to welcome some 250 students from mainland China for the 2009-10 academic year.

The event was also attended by Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Vice-President (Student Affairs), Professor Julia Tao Lai Po-wah, Acting Vice-President (Development and External Affairs), Dr Mary Pang Yuet-ngor, Associate Dean of the College of Business, Professor Pan Haihua, Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Dr Chen Ni, Associate Professor of the Department of Media and Communication, Dr Louisa Wei Shiyu, Associate Professor of the School of Creative Media, Dr Steven Wan Ke, Assistant Professor of the School of Law, Mr. Joseph Chan Kai-nin, Director of Student Development Services, and Ms Shih-ying Tan, Director of Communications and Public Relations Office.

Professor Kuo urged the new students to make the best out of their undergraduate days and to make as many friends as possible, as university friendships were often the most memorable and could last a lifetime. He also emphasised the importance of individual effort. “I can’t think of a single person who doesn’t work hard to succeed. We wish you the very best, and please come to us if you encounter any problems.”

The reception also marked the launch of an advice service for all non-local students. “My Story at CityU Project” is a new MEAO initiative designed to inform, assist and advise students on useful matters about studying and living in Hong Kong.

The main aim of the project is to strengthen general and non-academic support mechanisms for these incoming students, who are generally younger and have specific needs. In the year-long project students will set their own goals, trace their personal growth, improve cross-cultural communication skills, acquire interpersonal, organisational and team-building skills.

A series of events and activities, including the Lunar New Year Fair, induction workshops on local laws and norms governing visas, employment, personal safety, out-of-classroom learning and outreach programmes have been planned by MEAO. The initiatives will help students integrate at CityU and in Hong Kong, reinforcing a positive learning experience, attitude and experience throughout their memorable study period.