More than 1,000 new students kicked off their university life at a welcoming ceremony on 28 August at City University of Hong Kong (CityU).

Together with the new students, members of the senior management team, college deans and some outstanding alumni enjoyed a series of wonderful performance and sharing sessions at the ceremony.

In his welcoming speech, Professor Way Kuo, President of CityU, said CityU was one of the few universities in Hong Kong that integrated teaching and research. 

“A university degree is only a preliminary requirement. Students also come to CityU to broaden their horizons, integrate into our international campus, and participate in different types of overseas exchange programmes. CityU is a platform that helps you grow,” he said.

Professor Horace Ip Ho-shing, Vice-President (Student Affairs), said in his welcoming speech that CityU was ranked 55th in the world and was the 5th best university in the world under 50 years of age, according to the Quacquarelli Symonds rankings for 2019. 

CityU nurtured students in various diverse ways, he said, from organising the annual CityU Arts Festival and providing all-around support for students to participate in overseas exchange programmes to winning at sports.

He pointed out that CityU had won the Grand Slam in the local intervarsity sports competitions organised by the University Sports Federation of Hong Kong a record nine times.

Three outstanding alumni and senior students discussed how CityU had helped to shape their successful careers through unique experiences such as the overseas exchange programmes. 

The event included a stunning taekwondo performance and excerpts from the musical Footloose performed by students.