We are excited to announce that we have secured accreditation from the two foremost international regulatory bodies for veterinary surgeons for our six-year Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM) programme offered by the Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences (JCC). The two regulatory bodies are the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) from the UK and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) from Australia and New Zealand. No other Asian veterinary school has ever achieved dual accreditation. I am confident that our BVM graduates will become competent professionals and leaders in the field. Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the steadfast support of our alumni throughout the entire process of the JCC's establishment.
At the beginning of the new academic year, we warmly welcomed our incoming freshmen during the orientation ceremony, which marked the start of their journey at CityU through inspirational, interactive and innovative learning.
I encouraged all students to explore the world, embrace diverse cultures and expand their horizons in the spirit embodied by our CityU Heroes. These exceptional alumni, students and faculty exemplify our commitment to excellence, social contribution and global impact. You can learn more about their inspiring stories when passing through the newly-renovated tunnel connecting our campus to Festival Walk.
With the right passion and drive, every CityU member can be a ‘hero’. We take pride in our accomplished alumni who have excelled in academia, sports and the arts. One example is our alumna Ms Grace Lau Mo-sheung, who recently made history for Hong Kong by winning a Gold medal at the Asian Karate Federation Senior Championships 2023. Two other alumni, Mr Gaybird Leung Kei-cheuk and Mr Howard Cheng Chi-lai from the School of Creative Media, were honoured at the prestigious Hong Kong Arts Development Awards. We also officially named the Cissy Wong Ying Executive Classroom at the Lau Ming Wai Academic Building after our EMBA alumna Ms Cissy Wong in acknowledgment of her steadfast support to the University.
Furthermore, CityU will confer honorary doctoral degrees on Dr Roy Chung Chi-ping, GBS, JP, Professor Michael Graetzel, Professor Chad A. Mirkin, and Professor Jeffrey D. Sachs for their significant contributions to education and society. The title of Honorary Fellow has been conferred on three illustrious persons: alumnus Mr Chan Yung, BBS, JP, Mr Dominic Pang Yat-ting, and Professor Tinly Wong Tin-chee, for their substantial contributions and services to the University and the community. Congratulations to all CityU members for their well-deserved accolades!
In addition to celebrating our alumni, we are excited to announce four recent partnerships with global institutions. In July, CityU signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National University of Singapore to promote joint research in materials technology and climate sustainability. Last month, we established the CityU-Qingdao Innovation Research Institute during a delegation visit to the Qingdao West Coast New Area. A strategic cooperation agreement was also signed with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan for promoting institutional collaborations and academic exchange, as well as with Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation for co-nurturing start-ups.
CityU’s commitment to innovation has earned us widespread support. In MOUs with six venture capital and investment funds from mainland China, we were offered RMB1 billion to provide funding for start-ups under HK Tech 300. We are also proud to announce that four CityU scientists have received major grants from the Research Grants Council, recognising their exceptional contributions and the potential impact of their research projects. In response to the rapid development of generative AI, we have launched a free integrated learning platform, the CityU GPT Chatbot, to support faculty, staff, students and selected HK Tech 300 start-ups in their teaching, learning and administrative activities. With our world-class faculty and strong community engagement, I am confident that CityU will continue to lead in advancing knowledge and research. My heartfelt appreciation goes to all CityU members, including our alumni, for their continuous devotion to the University and the wider society.
Having listened to alumni concerns related to campus access, the University is now in the process of preparing eCard for every alumnus to make visiting CityU much easier.
Lastly, I invite you to visit the CityU Indra and Harry Banga Gallery, where the second phase of the exhibition “The Grand Gathering of the Century: Zodiac Heads from the Yuanmingyuan and Important Treasures” is currently on show until 30 November. It features a remarkable collection of 12 zodiac head sculptures and a variety of immersive experiences, integrating art, science and digital technology.
As Mid-Autumn approaches, may I wish you a festive season filled with abundant joy together with your friends and family.
Professor Freddy Boey
President and University Distinguished Professor
