As Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) celebrates its 35th anniversary this year, the University has organised a range of activities to showcase its transformation and remarkable achievements over the past 35 years. One of the most important events among these year-long celebrations was the 35th Anniversary Banquet, held last Friday (1 November) at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. It brought together friends of the University, as well as staff, students and alumni, to extend their wishes for the University to build on its successes and achieve new milestones, nurturing more talent for the country and Hong Kong, and furthering its excellence in higher education.
The banquet was officiated by Mr Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR); Mr Wang Weiming, Director-General of the Department of Educational, Scientific and Technological Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the HKSAR (LOCPG); Dr Eddy Fong Ching, HKMU Pro-Chancellor; Ir Dr Conrad Wong Tin-cheung, HKMU Council Chairman; Prof. Paul Lam Kwan-sing, HKMU President; Dr Peter Lee Kwok-wah, HKMU Foundation Advisory Committee Chairman; Dr Cheng Hon-kwan, founding Council Chairman; Prof. Wong Yuk-Shan, Emeritus President; Mr Jet Chou Sai-kit, HKMU Alumni Association (HKMUAA) President; and Mr Chan Tsz-lok, HKMU Students' Union (HKMUSU) President. Also attending the banquet was Dr Choi Yuk-lin, Secretary for Education of the HKSAR.
Mr John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the HKSAR and HKMU Chancellor, delivered a video speech at the banquet. He said, “Over the years, we have witnessed the remarkable transformation of HKMU. It went from a primarily distance learning institute for adult learners to become a vibrant full-fledged comprehensive university. HKMU's adaptability shines through its diverse programmes and close partnership with industries, meeting societal needs effectively.”
Mr Lee said that HKMU has become the first university of applied sciences (UAS) in Hong Kong this year, and also provides secretariat service to the Alliance of Universities in Applied Sciences. As the Government has allocated $100 million to the start-up fund for the alliance, he is confident that the alliance will strengthen joint promotion and collaboration with similar universities worldwide. He also encouraged support from HKMU in cultivating talent, fostering the development of technologies, establishing the “Study in Hong Kong” brand globally, and building Hong Kong into an international hub for high-calibre talent.
In his speech, Ir Dr Wong said that HKMU has always strived for and successfully transformed itself. Despite being established only 35 years ago, its impact has been profound, though it is one of the “best-kept secrets” in Hong Kong education. The University has nurtured more than 150,000 graduates, who have made valuable contributions to many different industries. For example, currently about a third of nursing staff in Hong Kong are graduates of the HKMU nursing programme, which was started in 1994.
He pointed out that since becoming a UAS, HKMU has collaborated with industry to launch additional professional and practical programmes, such as the “Cadet Pilot” concentration in the Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours in Aviation Services Management programme, in collaboration with the Hong Kong International Aviation Academy. The programme offers students the opportunity to become commercial pilots, along with receiving a BBA. The University also launched Hong Kong's first applied degree programme in gemmology and jewellery studies and a Master of Applied Science in Intelligent Construction and Building Information Modelling, providing students with greater career flexibility and responding to the needs of society.
He emphasised that HKMU is committed to nurturing students with whole-person development. Starting from this academic year, the University requires all first-year students to take the Mental Health First Aid course to provide increased self-awareness and good care of themselves and each other. HKMU is the first university in Hong Kong to introduce such an initiative. The University is also committed to giving back to society, by for example, collaborating with the “Ethics College”, established by the Correctional Services Department to provide diversified study pathways for inmates to be well prepared to return to society.
Prof. Lam said that HKMU has always been a pioneer in the development of self-financing higher education and has proactively embraced change with a creative mindset, leading to remarkable achievements. The University was approved as Hong Kong's first UAS earlier this year and purchased a hotel as student accommodation, the first project of its kind in the local higher-education sector. It is also undertaking various campus development projects, including the establishment of an Industrial Centre and the planning of a “Satellite Campus” to provide diversified talent training.
Reflecting on the rapid passage of time, Prof. Lam remarked, “The changes and developments that have taken place over the years have been completely new and uncharted territory. We look forward to the full support and trust of the HKMU community in the future development of the University, as we continue to scale new heights together.”
Nearly 700 guests, alumni, staff and students attended the banquet. Throughout the evening, teachers, students and alumni jointly presented exciting performances, starting with a rhythmic dance, followed by a guzheng performance, “Battling with the Typhoon”, accompanied by animations created by students from the Bachelor of Fine Arts with Honours in Animation and Visual Effects programme, providing an audio-visual feast for the audience. A group of students and alumni performed “We are all HKMU”, a song co-created by an alumna and a teacher to express their deep affection for the University, heightening the ambiance of the event.
Throughout its 35th anniversary year, HKMU has made great strides in various respects, notably becoming the first UAS in Hong Kong, obtaining professional accreditation for its bachelor's degree programme in physiotherapy, and maintaining its leading position for the second consecutive year in the Competitive Research Funding Schemes for the Local Self-financing Degree Sector of the Research Grants Council in terms of both funding amount and the number of funded projects. Looking ahead, the University will continue to move forward with vigour and energy, pushing the boundaries and creating infinite possibilities together with all sectors in Hong Kong.
