2022年4月13日
Reverend Tse, Colleagues and Students,
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to the 63rd Baccalaureate Service as we celebrate the achievements of our graduating students on this important day in their lives.
The Baccalaureate Service is a time-honoured tradition that provides us with the opportunity to worship, give praise and express our thanks. While we have much to be thankful for, there is no doubt that the world is in a dark place right now. Some countries are being torn apart by war while others, such as our city and our nation, are dealing with the ongoing effects of the pandemic.
The exponential rise in cases and the tragic loss of life during the fifth wave of the pandemic here in Hong Kong has shocked us and revealed the fragility of life. We will never forget these difficult times, but by working together and showing how much we care for each other and the community, we can overcome these challenges.
At HKBU, we have long been known for our caring, creative, and global culture. We are a compassionate university imbued with a mission to serve the community and care for the needy with our knowledge. And our top experts, staff and alumni have worked hard to provide holistic support to society in its fight against the pandemic. From our innovative Chinese medicine initiatives to our phone counselling service, we are using our expertise to help those in need.
I’m sure when you look back on your four years with us, the first two years will feel very different to the last two. But during this time, you have all shown your caring and noble side. While there is a lot of uncertainty in life, your attributes give you more certainty and confidence to follow your dreams.
In addition, we have sought to nurture your courage, adaptability, resilience and empathy. Together, this is a powerful collection of honourable traits that will let you thrive in our unpredictable world and help you on your career journey. They will also enable you to adapt to different sectors and roles, and help you become a noble vessel of honour.
You should also remember that you have the power to influence your reaction to the events of the past few years, as our choices shape who we are. The pandemic does not define you. Instead, it is the nobility of mind that defines man, and the care for humanity that ennobles man.
Today, you should all be proud of what you have achieved. It takes great character to adapt to such massive societal changes, and you have helped each other through difficult moments. So often we feel like we must pursue our goals alone, but none of us got here by ourselves. The great scientist Sir Isaac Newton summed this up well when he said, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants.”
The world is in a difficult place right now. Look at the pandemic. However, things will improve, and by supporting each other and showing that you care for your community you will also emerge as stronger, better, and more noble people. So continue to believe in yourselves and the skills and knowledge you have gained during your time here, and I am sure you will seize the opportunities in front of you.
Thank you.