CityU prepares 10,000 graduates for professional careers

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) is holding its 2007 Congregation from 6 November to 15 November. The afternoon session today (8 November), presided by Dr Norman Leung Nai-pang, Pro-Chancellor of CityU, also conferred honorary doctoral degrees upon four distinguished social leaders.

This year, CityU produced 10,001 graduates through its provision of quality professional education. There are 102 doctorates, plus two engineering doctorates; 119 master of philosophy degrees; 2,138 master’s degrees; 353 postgraduate diplomas/certificates; 3,923 bachelor’s degrees; and 442 associate degrees. The Community College of City University conferred 2,922 associate degrees.

In addition, honorary degrees were conferred upon Dr Chan Sui-kau, founder and Executive Chairman of Yangtzekiang Garment Limited; Professor Claude Cohen-Tannoudji, a Nobel laureate; Ms Elizabeth Wang Ming-chun, an acclaimed artist; and Sir Gordon Wu Ying-sheung, Chairman of Hopewell Holdings Ltd. (For the biographies of the honorary doctorate holders, please refer to the attached pages.)

In his address today, Professor Richard Ho Yan-ki, Acting President, told the graduates that there would be big changes on campus in the years to come.

“CityU will be going through the greatest period of growth since it was established. Our existing campus will grow by nearly 60 percent over the next five years, with new buildings and facilities to make you proud. We will build to fulfil our commitment and contribution to Hong Kong’s creative industries. We will build to prepare CityU to admit an extra 33 percent of four-year programme undergraduate students who will later compete in a globalised world. In a nutshell, we will build for the future — yours, ours and our city’s,” Professor Ho said.

Professor Ho also urged CityU alumni to contribute to society and to their alma mater. “Graduation is not an end. Your race in life has only just begun. In late years, be prepared to come back as a mentor and share the wisdom of your experience with those who follow you,” he added.

In his note of thanks, Sir Gordon Wu said he came to know the University very well during his tenure as Council Chairman and was impressed by its staff, its students and the contribution it was making to the community.

“City University is still a young institution, only 23 years old. Young ladies are in the prime of their lives at 23, but for universities it takes a little longer. However, despite its young age the University has made impressive progress and secured remarkable achievements in that short time,” Sir Gordon Wu said.

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CityU excels in professional education and applied research.

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