1-1-1: CELEBRATING HKU’S LEGACY

FAMILY CARNIVAL MARKS OUR ANNIVERSARY

An arts carnival held at the Art Park of the West Kowloon Cultural District in January 2023 brought together students, alumni, staff, families and friends to celebrate HKU’s 111th anniversary and enjoy the University’s first large outdoor event since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The ARTathon transformed the Art Park into a carnival featuring giant artistic balloon installations on the theme of the 111th anniversary, family-friendly arts and games, and graduation gown lending services so HKU graduates who did not have a physical graduation ceremony due to pandemic control measures, could take graduation photos with their family and friends.

A unique attraction was an eight-metre-high bookshelf resembling the Main Building façade to collect donated books that were subsequently distributed to local non-profit charitable organisations, symbolising the sharing of knowledge across the community. In addition, more than 500 secondary school students from low-income families were sponsored to visit the Hong Kong Palace Museum and enjoy the carnival day of fun.

A HIGH TABLE GRAND FINALE

The year-long celebrations of HKU’s 111th anniversary culminated with a Grand Finale High Table Dinner in March 2023, attended by more than 1,000 guests including students, staff, alumni and friends of HKU. This followed other festive events, including the 111th Anniversary Light Show, Tech Landmark groundbreaking ceremony, the ‘111uminate’ DJ party, and the ARTathon carnival.

Professor Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor, addressed the High Table Dinner guests, noting that in 1911, “a group of visionaries sat down together and charted a dream to create and build the finest university imaginable. 111 years later, that dream continues to come true,” with the University and its scholars regularly ranked among the top tier in the world. Professor Yuen Kwok Yung, Henry Fok Professor in Infectious Diseases, was the keynote speaker and spoke on the pivotal role that HKU microbiology has played in safeguarding public health around the world, particularly during SARS and the COVID-19 pandemic.

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HKU PRESIDENT’S FORUM PONDERS THE FUTURE OF HUMANITY

Four pioneering scientists joined Professor Zhang at the inaugural HKU President’s Forum in April 2023 on the theme ‘Science and Society’, to reflect on the crucial role that science plays in safeguarding the future of humanity and tackling pertinent global issues, including climate change, sustainable growth and ageing populations.

The renowned speakers brought a diverse range of expertise. Professor Dame Carol M Black is a respected clinician and UK government advisor; Professor Steven Chu is a Nobel Laureate in Physics and former Secretary of Energy of the US Government; Dr Jack Dangermond is an environmental scientist and creator of the Geographic Information Systems (GIS); and Professor John Hennessy is former President of Stanford University and winner of the Turing Prize.

Collaboration and critical thinking were common themes in the discussion, echoed by Professor Zhang who emphasised the need for ‘techno-pragmatism’ – “Pragmatism, when it comes to new knowledge, is absolutely vital in unlocking the multilateral, multi- stakeholder solutions to global challenges,” he said.

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HKU HOSTS APRU PRESIDENTS’ MEETING

HKU welcomed presidents and senior administrators from leading universities across the Asia Pacific when it hosted the 27th Annual Presidents’ Meeting of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) in June 2023, for a three-day event on the theme ‘From Invention to Implementation – Solutions for a Sustainable Future’.

A common thread in the discussions was the need for collaborative efforts to tackle current and future sustainability challenges. Panellists focussed on such topics as research on low-emission energy production and green technologies, and the vital role of higher education in empowering future generations to address the challenges and in providing innovative research-based solutions.

Professor Zhang addressed participants and noted that addressing humanity’s negative impact on the planet cannot be done by a single nation alone, but by joint effort. “The conclusion of the meeting does not mark the end of our discussion. I believe that all APRU members will carry on our missions and work hand-in-hand towards sustainability,” he said.

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