The students and faculty all abuzz, the atmosphere lively – the Faculty Tea Reception for Freshmen was another hit event to kick-start the academic year for CUBA latest batch of incoming undergraduate students. Held on Friday, 31 August, at the Student Canteen in the Benjamin Franklin Centre, the reception allowed first years the chance to meet with their faculty on a more informal basis. The event boasted an attendance of over 200 freshmen as well as the impressive person and credentials of the guest speaker, Mr. Peter Wong Tung Shun, JP. Mr. Wong, the Group General Manager and Executive Director, Hong Kong and Mainland China, of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Limited, was invited to give the main speech during the event.
Beginning at 10:45am, the reception started with some mingling and photo-taking as students arrived. Professor T.S. Lee, Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration, gave the welcoming speech, followed by Professor Andrew C.F. Chan, Associate Dean (Undergraduate Studies) of the Faculty of Business Administration, who also gave a short speech.
All eyes were on Mr. Wong as he took to the stage to give a half-hour-long speech, a talk that was targeted specifically towards the freshmen class, who he advised and encouraged as they embarked on their university and, later, professional careers. Mr. Wong brought his wisdom and vast body of experience from years of work in the business world. In his talk, he covered a variety of topics, including the importance of education, how to get the most out of the university experience, and how to be prepared to enter the workforce of today.
"When you are in university, first of all, you should study hard. But that's not the only thing that you should do," said Mr. Wong, "You should understand what you are trying to achieve. The education that you're going to receive will give you a moral sense of right and wrong, and that is extremely important, because a society without the understanding of right and wrong is not a good society." Mr. Wong stressed to the students both the need to set goals and know where one's headed as well as the absolute need to maintain one's own integrity.
The speaker also talked about the importance of learning to be a leader and learning to work with people through school activities. "…You need to understand the group of people that you are with, understand their load, understand where they are coming from when they are making those personal opinions," said Mr. Wong, adding, "Try to be very broadminded when you are listening to opinions."
"If you don't arm yourself, you will be left behind," he cautioned, explaining the immense value in keeping up with and understanding global events and issues, and developing leadership and business skills. Mr. Wong also spoke about the temptation to criticize – whether it is directed at the Hong Kong government, corruption in China, or the University. "Anybody can criticize" he argued, "Give constructive criticism. Give recommendations. What is your part in helping the university fulfill its reputation?"
Related to how students can help the university fulfill its reputation, as well as their own, Mr. Wong emphasized the point that one's "言行舉動", or behavior and actions, were very important. "If you dress nicely, it's a representation of yourself. If you speak properly, you are representing yourself," said Mr. Wong. "How you talk, how you act, everything that you do is a representation of yourself … and also the university that you are coming out from."
After the inspiring speech, the reception came to an end with refreshments and a time of relaxed mingling, with the faculty on hand to talk with students. Those in attendance considered the event a great success and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
