18 November 2024
Welcome to the 65th Commencement Ceremony of Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). Today is a day to rejoice and to remember, as we gather here to celebrate the achievements of the recipients of the Honorary, Doctoral and Research Degrees.
For graduates, this will be one of the most special moments in your lives. Your tireless dedication and countless hours of effort have truly paid off, and you, along with your professors, understand the extra mile you went to reach this remarkable milestone. With your hard-earned academic recognition, you are now ready to embark on a brand-new chapter filled with promise and possibility. So, my sincere congratulations to each graduating student!
Reflecting on your academic journey, I am reminded of the resilience and courage you have demonstrated throughout your studies, especially when facing the unprecedented obstacles and adversities brought by the pandemic. However, you have proven that you could overcome, and you did – with a sense of dedication and persistence. These qualities led you to this momentous occasion – your graduation. What you have demonstrated and achieved over the past few years is unquestionably impressive and has made all of us at HKBU really proud. So, please give yourself a round of applause!
Today, we are honoured to welcome five new members to the HKBU community as honorary doctorate recipients. They are Professor Michael Batty, Dr the Hon Bernard Charnwut Chan, Dr the Hon Ronnie C Chan, Professor Tan Weihong and Ms Yang Yang. Our distinguished honorary doctorates have led remarkable lives, inspiring many through their exceptional achievements. Their respect is earned not only from their talent and dedication, but also through their steadfast commitment to their passions, despite the challenges they faced. We can all draw inspiration from their successes. Please join me in honouring each of them with a round of applause.
In this era of rapid changes, we are presented with unique opportunities to revamp the world order for the better. Climate change demands immediate action, urging us to be stewards of our planet. Geopolitical shifts are altering alliances, creating both challenges and opportunities. Technological advancements have transformed the way we learn, work and live. The complexity of these issues requires problem-solvers. We need people who are not only versatile in their specialised fields, but also can draw upon a diverse set of tools and perspectives to devise innovative solutions. The ability to comprehend the complex web of factors involved in these real-world problems and navigate the courses to resolve them will make you an invaluable asset to any organisation you decide to join.
Foreseeing the growing demand for talents who can transcend disciplines to address the complex global agenda, HKBU has adopted a transdisciplinary approach to learning, teaching and research that integrates science, technology, arts and the humanities. Since September 2022, the University has also launched an individualised major and three transdisciplinary programmes that empower students to explore different disciplines, such as arts and technology, health, social wellbeing and innovation, as well as business and global entertainment. Starting from the 2025/26 academic year, we will also introduce the new Transdisciplinary Second Majors, and the new transdisciplinary undergraduate programme in Digital Futures and Humanities. Through these efforts, HKBU is nurturing future leaders who can connect the dots across disciplines and identify practical solutions with social impact.
Why does HKBU champion transdisciplinary education? Transdisciplinary education is an approach that transcends traditional disciplinary boundaries, integrating knowledge from multiple fields to create a holistic approach to learning and problem-solving. Unlike interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approaches which may simply combine insights from different disciplines, a transdisciplinary approach actively seeks to synthesise and generate new frameworks and methodologies that can more effectively address problems which require solutions beyond the scope of any one discipline.
Talking about the future, I believe that all of you have witnessed the power of technology and felt its impact personally. With the innovative learning tools and the virtual learning experiences that you were exposed to during the pandemic, your university life is more diverse than before. Recently, you have also seen the rise of another significant technological advancement: Generative AI. The world of the future will undoubtedly be increasingly transformed by these technologies.
While technology applications are impacting all aspects of our social and personal lives with unprecedented scope and scale, at the same time there is a grand debate and ongoing reflection on how technologies should be used properly for the benefit of mankind. We are on the verge of a new paradigm shift driven by technological advancement, that is why we must urgently bring together different perspectives, in particular a renewed focus on humanity, to navigate the course of our future.
As we embrace technology, we must also remember the importance of our purpose and responsibilities as humans. What does this mean? Being human, we are unique because of the intrinsic empathy and compassion we possess. We share and live in a society based on collaboration and person-to-person connection. Our choices and actions inevitably bear implications on people surrounding us and on society at large. Therefore, use technology sensibly and constructively, with the greater good in mind. Make sure the changes you bring can contribute to promoting a better world.
And always remember, technology is a tool; it is humans who bring meaning and purpose to its application. The power of technology lies in your hands, so use it well.
Looking forward, what awaits us in the future? How can you, HKBU graduating students, change the world for the better? These remain open-ended questions. Is there another pandemic looming? I hope not, but we can never be sure. How is the global economy like five years from now? Will the effects of climate change and geopolitical conflicts improve or deteriorate? We cannot predict accurately.
However, your experience over the past few years has prepared you for the unpredictable. Qualities such as adaptiveness, resilience and perseverance will continue to back you up in your future journeys. With the vision and the all-rounded education you have gained at HKBU, you are now ready to be the creator of your own future. As American president Abraham Lincoln once said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it”. By making sensible choices and taking decisive actions, you can influence the course of events and shape a desired future for us all.
Once again, my warmest congratulations to you, the Class of 2024. Enjoy this major milestone in your life, celebrate with your loved ones, and continue to aim high and make the most out of the exciting journey ahead of you.
Thank you!