A ceremony held at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) on 14 January marked the launch of the CityU history books and unveiling of the CityU Strategic Plan 2010-2015. It signifies that CityU, after celebrating its 25th anniversary, has entered a new stage of development by positioning itself as a university renowned for its excellence in research and innovative professional education programmes.

The theme of the ceremony, “Tribute to Our Past, Commitment to Our Future”, reflects the commitment of the CityU community to work together and, based on its solid foundation, to strive for CityU to become a leading global university in the Asia-Pacific region.

“If the history books are our way of paying tribute to our past, the new five-year Strategic Plan will exemplify our commitment to the future - our common future,” said Professor Way Kuo, University President.

Excellence in Research and Professional Education is the CityU Strategic Plan for 2010 to 2015 and is the outcome of the most extensive consultation exercise ever undertaken for such a document at CityU. It involved numerous rounds of consultation, discussion and revision at all levels from September 2008 to August 2009.

The plan positions CityU as a leading global university in the Asia-Pacific region, renowned for its excellence in research and professional education and outstanding scholarship in problem-focused research. Building on the impressive success the University has achieved in the past, the plan defines a sharper vision for the future of CityU. The goal is to train a new breed of professionals to anticipate and respond to the unique 21st century challenges presented by a fast-changing, knowledge-driven global environment.

“Achieving the overall goals of this progressive and ambitious plan requires the full participation and support of every one of you, including the large student body,” said Professor Kuo. “I appeal to you and, through you, to your colleagues and fellow students to become the driving agents and proud owners of our future development plan.”

The six strategic areas that form the core of the Strategic Plan are: “Student Learning and Career Development”, “Research and Technology Transfer”, “Faculty and Staff Recruitment, Reward and Retention”, “Campus Planning and Development”, “Globalisation” and “Branding, Image and Culture.”

Our students’ success is CityU’s success. The University cherishes student participation and an exhibition showing highlights of the Strategic Plan will be held at the Library from 14-28 January. Students are encouraged to participate in a contest aimed at collecting constructive and innovative ideas to help the University promote support of the plan. Details can be found at http://144.214.125.53/library/main.html

The ceremony also marked the launch of the CityU History Books Box Set. The book set contains a history book, in English or Chinese, and a photo album, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the University. Within the context of tertiary education’s history in Hong Kong, the books review the 25 years of CityU development and contain interviews with its faculty and staff members, students, alumni and past officials who made an influential contribution to the tertiary education sector.

The Chinese book《在奮進中成長──香港城市大學廿五周年歷程的回顧》was authored by Mr C S Chan, former head of the Division of Language Studies. Educating the CITY - The Making of Hong Kong’s Most Modern University was the product of the English History Book Project coordinated by Dr Rodney Jones, Associate Head of the Department of English. He worked with seven staff members and students in his department and one teacher from the Department of Asian and International Studies and the Department of Public and Social Administration respectively to complete the project. Video clips of interviews can be viewed at the website: www.english.cityu.edu.hk/history/

The photo album, titled City within a City, was compiled by the Communications and Public Relations Office. The three books are now available at the CityU book shop.