A New Page Unveiled
On 20 November 2014, the second cohort of S.H. Ho College graduates was dressed in gowns representing their respective faculties and proceeded to the stage one after another to receive their diplomas and college souvenirs from Master Samuel Sun and Dr. Tzu-leung Ho. When Prof. KB Wong, Dean of Students of the College, announced a name, the graduate’s photo and name would be displayed on the screen. Every minute detail reflected the College’s wholeheartedness on cherishing each graduate’s uniqueness and presence.
‘To our graduates, you have received your bachelor’s degrees in your specific fields this morning from the University. At S.H. Ho College, we will not be able to confer each of you a specific qualification, but rather something already within you as a person after the three to four years of college life,’ said Master Sun. He reiterated the College’s determination of providing students with a home-like learning and caring environment to nurture students’ profound sense of culture, moral standards, sense of responsibility and integrity, and the spirit of innovation, excellence and service. He also appreciated the graduates’ courage and wisdom in selecting S.H. Ho College to affiliate with in its founding years. He also encouraged the pioneer students to uphold the spirit of innovation in the challenging world ahead, to lead, and to pursue their dreams.
Dr. Anthony Neoh, SC, who was Chief Advisor to the China Securities Regulatory Commission from 1999 to 2004 and currently the Council Member and Member of the Advisory Board of the Faculty of Law at CUHK, graced the graduation ceremony as the Guest of Honour. In his address, he explored the root of university education in the West tracing to the period of renaissance. He also cited The Great Learning in the Classic of Rites to encourage graduates of ceaseless pursuit of virtues: ‘The way of great learning consists in manifesting one’s bright virtue, consists in loving the people, and in stopping in perfect goodness.’ Dr. Neoh reminded the graduates of treasuring their youthfulness and equipping themselves with knowledge for the betterment of the society. To him, chance favours the prepared mind.
Following Master Sun and Dr. Neoh’s encouraging remarks, Dr. Tzu-leung Ho presented the first S.H Ho College Eminent Scholarship to Tan Yuqi who has made outstanding achievements in academic study, personal development and contribution to the life of the College. Ho Sin Hang Hall was immediately immersed with thundering applauses. Tan yuqi also gave her valedictorian speech as the graduate representative. She recalled her fond memory in her undergraduate years at the College receiving interesting and interactive College General Education Programme and celebrating the College first anniversary in which she experienced building the College’s festive tradition with other student pioneers. ‘S.H. Ho College is not only a stage for us to show our talent, it is also a hub to cultivate our sense of civic duty,’ Yuqi said. She continued to share on her dream: ‘I want to grow and help others to grow; to live and help others to live. From offering clinical services to the victims of Sichuan earthquake to building a shelter for Watoto children in Uganda, from visiting an elderly home in Hong Kong to serving the trash hill community in Cambodia, our very own college programmes has helped me to realize my dream beyond the boundary of nations, to which I am utterly grateful.’
All the graduates then went to the Central Steps to witness the historical moment—the curtain unveiling ceremony of the plaque displaying all graduates’ names and their respective faculties. Cheering laughter followed and the graduates immediately threw their mortar boards into the air to express their joy and satisfaction of completing their undergraduate studies.
