16 September 2024
Dear Students and Colleagues,
As we embark on a new school year, I am filled with great anticipation for what lies ahead of us. It is a new start for all of us, and a fresh chapter for new joiners of our HKBU community.
Just as the Olympic flame shone brightly this summer, inspiring athletes to push beyond their limits, I encourage each of you to carry that same light within as you pursue your academic and personal aspirations. The Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics remind us of the indomitable spirit of determination, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt congratulations to our HKBU athletes for their remarkable performance in the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Our student athletes Chan Ho-yuen, Cheung Ka-long, Lo Wai-fung and Ma Kwan-ching, and alumna Ho Yuen-kei ventured to this top international sporting stage, and returned with a total of three gold and one silver medals. Their exceptional accomplishments deserve our big applause. What inspires us even more is what happens when our athletes are not in the limelight. They all have undergone years of strenuous training in order to gain a spot at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. We can all learn from their whole-hearted dedication, perseverance and passion, regardless of what life stage we are at. This is the kind of “Olympic spirit”that will leave a tangible and positive legacy for the entire HKBU community for years to come.
But HKBU’s involvement in the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics transcended mere athletic competition. During the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in July, the University organised the “Journey to Excellence: HKBU in Paris” symposium at the OLY House, which is the home for all Olympians at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with themes focusing on “Enhancing Life Outside Sport for Olympians and Elite Athletes” and “Science, Technology, AI and Sport.” The event highlighted the multi-dimensional growth of elite athletes and the pivotal role of technology in sports development. With the help of technology, the recorded streaming of the symposium on various platforms has attracted a total of over 15.6 million online views so far.
Additionally, our sports science and medicine researchers applied technologies to monitor real-time data from Olympians and Paralympians during their competitions, safe-guarding their health and well-being. This demonstrates that even those not competing for medals can significantly contribute to the Games, reflecting HKBU’s broader mission of fostering impactful, transdisciplinary knowledge discovery and igniting meaningful change as a global citizen.
This year holds special significance for HKBU as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of our acquisition of university status. Over these three decades, we have flourished, nurturing academic and research excellence while cultivating a vibrant and inclusive community.
As we honour the heritage and legacy built by those who came before us, we remain firmly focused on our future. Looking ahead, we are steadfast in equipping you with the knowledge, skills, and experiences necessary to shape the future. Together, we will continue to uphold and enhance our tradition of excellence, contributing to Hong Kong’s strategic development and national priorities as well as making a meaningful impact on the world.
In our pursuit of academic and research excellence, HKBU continues to enhance its teaching and research infrastructure. A shining example is the new Jockey Club Campus of Creativity. With its phased launch this academic year, this innovative space will provide an enriching environment for both living and learning, centred around the Village CARE (Creative Arena for Residential Education) and the Jockey Club Creative Hub. I look forward to seeing this new campus become a vibrant spot where students and academics can engage in meaningful exchanges, sparking creativity and advancing research.
“Don’t count the days, make the days count!”, once said the boxing sports legend and Olympic medallist Muhammad Ali. As we look to the year ahead, whether you are a student, a professor, or a staff member, I invite you to embrace this journey to excellence as a shared endeavour. Together, we will support one another as we pursue knowledge, innovate and create a brighter future.
I wish you all a rewarding and successful year ahead, and a joyous Mid-Autumn Festival spent with your loved ones.
President and Vice-Chancellor
Chair Professor of Photonics