On 16 March 2019, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK) hosted Founders’ Day cum University Naming Dinner. Over 500 guests from different sectors of the community participated to witness the important milestones in HSUHK’s history. As the officiating guest of honour, Mrs Carrie Lam, Chief Executive of the HKSAR, congratulated HSUHK on its forward march to a brand-new future. Other guests present included Mr Kevin Yeung, Secretary for Education; Dr Tan Tieniu, Deputy Director of the Central Government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong; Prof. Anthony Cheung, Chairman of Committee on Self-financing Post-secondary Education; Mr Tim Lui, Chairman of the Education Commission; Ms Louisa Cheang, Chairman of HSUHK Board of Governors; Dr Moses Cheng, HSUHK Council Chairman; members of HSUHK Board of Governors and Council; Mr Dicky Yuen, Chairman of Hang Seng Management College and Hang Seng School of Commerce Alumni Association (HSSC/HSMC AA).

In her welcoming remarks, Ms Louisa Cheang expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the HKSAR Government for its strong support and recognition bestowed on HSUHK, which made HSUHK the first self-financing tertiary institution to have been granted university status under the Government’s Roadmap for Becoming a Private University. She thanked all the stakeholders for their efforts and contributions, emphasising that HSUHK would continue its mission to nurture well-rounded students and strive to become a leading non-profit, private liberal-arts-oriented university in the region.

In her speech, Mrs Carrie Lam said, “The HKSAR Government adopts a parallel approach to drive the complementary development of publicly-funded and self-financing tertiary education. HSUHK’s journey to university demonstrates how private universities could offer students more choices with variety and help to build a more diversified tertiary education system in Hong Kong, thus benefiting students with the contributions and support from different sectors of the community. I am thankful for HSUHK’s contributions to Hong Kong over the past 40 years, and I wish HSUHK continuing success in the future to groom more talent for Hong Kong.”

In his speech, Dr Moses Cheng said the acquisition of university title was an affirmation of HSUHK’s founders’ vision and ideals, as well as recognition of the dedication and commitment of everyone at HSUHK for the past eight years.

In his vote of thanks, President Prof. Simon S M Ho, expressed his gratitude for the support from the community for HSUHK. He said HSUHK would uphold its founding motto “Erudition and Perseverance” and diligently implement the initiatives set out in the University’s 5-Year Strategic Plan to offer more innovative and diversified programmes and nurture more responsible future professionals and leaders for the society.

Subsequently, the Chief Executive, together with HSUHK senior management and the officiating guests, participated in the “New Milestones” commemorative ceremony and toasting to mark the formal establishment of HSUHK as a private university with a difference. Mr Dicky Yuen, Chairman of HSSC / HSMC AA, also joined the ceremony to celebrate the momentous occasion for the alma mater.

HSUHK also presented souvenirs to recent major donors, Dr Jacky Cheung, The S. H. Foundation Limited, Dr Patrick Poon, and Dr Charles Yeung (in alphabetical order), to recognise their contributions to and support for the University’s development. The festive event featured performances by Dr Moses Cheng; Ms H M Tong, HSUHK Council Member; Dr Tom Fong, Vice-President (Organisational Development); HSUHK alumna Ms Cheryl Yung, and the HSUHK Sinfonietta. The performances, which also served to raise funds for the University’s long-term development, brought the joyful and heart-warming event to a successful conclusion.

Click here for more photos of the event.