Distinguished guests from various sectors were invited to City University of Hong Kong (CityU) to give talks and hold a sharing session for around 200 secondary students at the “Shaping Your Future: A Lifetime of Difference” programme on 20 April.

 

The aim was to help students identify their objectives, plan their futures, equip them to deal with challenges, and realise their dreams.

 

The guests were Mr Sunny Cheung Yiu-tong, Chief Executive Officer of Octopus Holdings Limited, and Ms Gilly Wong Fung-han, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council. Each of the distinguished guests gave a talk on how to integrate novel technologies into our lives, set goals and solve problems amid complicated situations.

 

In addition, Ms Denise Cheung Pui-yee, President of Asia Pacific of Money Concepts (Asia) Holdings Limited, Ms Yu Chui-yee, a wheelchair fencing athlete from Hong Kong, Ms Heiward Mak Hei-yan, screenwriter, film director and CityU alumna, and Mr Roy Lin Rixi, founder of the magazine Blackpaper and a lyricist and writer, discussed how to face challenges, persist in belief and realise your dreams.

 

Professor Way Kuo, University President, Professor Arthur Ellis, Provost, Professor Paul Lam Kwan-sing, Vice-President (Student Affairs), Professor Julia Tao Lai Po-wah, Chief-of-Staff, and Professor Yan Houmin, Dean of the College of Business, also attended the event.

 

In his speech, Professor Kuo said the advancement of technology and the development of society waited for no-one, and regardless of which sector we were in, be it science, technology, manufacturing, art, education or sport, we must take the lead or else fall behind. To progress, we needed a sensible and suitable direction, he added.

 

He said if students wanted a bright future, they should select a university programme with a high quality curriculum and a team of outstanding teachers. They should also choose a profession that aligns with academic and technology trends, meets the needs of society and has good prospects, and matches their abilities, interests and personality.

 

In his talk, Mr Cheung said that in today’s world where information is so well-developed, how to turn it into knowledge and further transform it into wisdom are the keys to success. He pointed out that advances in technology and the spread of globalisation had created many new opportunities. As such, students should not confine themselves to traditional mainstream studies when entering university, but should choose areas that they are passionate about instead. He encouraged students to “make things happen and create a difference”.

 

In her talk, Ms Wong shared factors from her professional life that had contributed to her success: being committed to people around you and in society, reviewing your weaknesses and seeking improvement, being humble, and being willing to communicate and listen. She reminded students not to gauge their success by people’s achievements, and to seek to continually improve even if one had already become successful. She also inspired them to seize opportunities to pursue studies that they are interested it.

 

In addition to the talks and roundtable discussion, the students visited CityU’s teaching and research facilities, including the Plasma Laboratory, digital newsroom, Discovery-enriched Curriculum Laboratory and hostels. College and school representatives introduced their respective colleges, schools and departments, and talked about career and studying prospects.

 

This year around 200 students from 79 secondary schools selected from over 400 applicants were invited to the “Shaping Your Future: A Lifetime of Difference” programme, hosted by CityU for the fourth year.