|
二零零九年度非本地生迎新日演講詞Speech on Non-local Students Orientation Day 2009 |
|
|
|
Tuesday, 08 September 2009 |
Speech on Non-local Students Orientation Day 2009 (Vice-Chancellor), Dr. Chau, distinguished guests, fellow students, ladies and gentlemen,
On behalf of the HKUSU, it is with great pleasure that I welcome all of you here today to HKU. As a member of the executive committee of the SU, I would like to give you a brief introduction to the Union. Established in 1912 and run wholly by HKU students, the Union is approaching its 97th anniversary this coming October. In its early days, the Union concerned itself mainly with student welfare, whereas in the recent decades, it has been playing an increasingly important role in student life and engaging the student body in wide-ranging social issues, both on campus reaching out to the society at large – as you may have already seen the Pillar of Shame or the slogan on the Swire bridge, both of which stand in commemoration of the 1989 June Fourth Massacre in mainland China. Today, we are reaching out to you international students who, from all over the world, have come to join us at HKU today. Being a University Student is all about reaching out – especially those of you who are new to Hong Kong. Living in a foreign city, learning a new language, meeting new people and experiencing cultural shocks – it is all about reaching out. The world may be wonderful, but it does not come straight to you unless you reach out for it; so is your student life. Life at HKU will be colourful only if you are willing to reach out for it. The Students’ Union and its student organisations is the perfect platform for you to reach out at HKU. This is not something I simply say to you because I am speaking on behalf of the Union or because I am a HKU student. This is something I have experienced myself, both here at HKU and abroad when I was an exchange student 2 years ago. Reach out to our student organisations and their activities. There is so much more to university life than merely swallowing books, writing papers or earning a degree. This is particularly true when you have come to a foreign land to study as international students. Student organisations play an essential part of your student life. There are currently 100+ of them at HKU under the Union – if none of them even interests you, you may even start your own! Reach out to your fellow students and their cultures. As an international student in a foreign city, it is the golden rule that you may only gain the most out of your stay in a new culture only when you are willing to reach out with an open mind. Reach out to your fellow students, experience their lifestyles and respect your differences. Being ‘international’ is not about holding a foreign passport or living overseas, but thinking ‘international’. This is an opportune time for you to meet people from Hong Kong and all over the world and to experience the cultural diversity on our campus. Try out something new every day and belong long, you will see the new colours added to your Hong Kong experience.
Finally, I hope all of you would treasure your opportunity as an international student, to reach out for a colourful life here at HKU. I wish you all the very best! Thank you.
Ngai Sin Hang, Jenny
External Affairs Secretary (acting)Hong Kong University Students' Union
Session 2009
|
