Media

The University of Hong Kong (HKU) held a special inauguration ceremony to welcome new students for the academic year 2020-21.

The ceremony, officiated by the President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Xiang Zhang, was held online amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Other members in the Procession included the University Senior Management Team members, Deans and HKUSU President.

The ceremony has been uploaded on the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) website today (August 31) for sharing with students. 

“Today is a day for celebration as well as reflection. The world has changed at a fundamental level and will never again be the same. A major global crisis such as COVID-19 always brings profound social changes,” said Professor Zhang in his speech to welcome the students.

“The fact is that, we are forever walking a fine line between crisis and opportunity.  If we adapt and respond with new ways of thinking, we may be able to turn crises into opportunities. We may even be able to stay ahead of the curve.” He added.

Professor Zhang encouraged students to brave new frontiers in their university life, respond positively to unanticipated situations and generate innovative solutions, to create new possibilities for the world, which are all in the University’s DNA. 

“Whatever work you may be doing on a daily basis, however insignificant it may seem, can contribute to a better tomorrow for all.” Professor Zhang cited as an example the dedicated work by HKU scientists for many years on coronavirus, which made it possible that when COVID-19 sprang up and spread, HKU already had the people and equipment in place to tackle it.

He told students to embrace diversity in the course to achieving excellence and said: “The University is a place where bright minds meet and where new ideas are sparked off.  No matter where you are from, or what your background is, you will have something to learn, and more importantly, you will have something to offer. It is this diversity of ideas, beliefs, and experiences that binds the university together and makes it great. We encourage rigorous debate and discourse, as long as it is done responsibly, with respect for one another, and within the bounds of law.”

The inauguration ceremony is available at: https://www.cedars.hku.hk/inaugurationceremony

Media enquiries:
Communication and Public Affairs Office:
Ms Melanie Wan (Tel: 2859 2600 / Email: melwkwan@hku.hk)
Ms Rashida Suffiad (Tel: 2857 8555 / Email: rsuffiad@hku.hk)