Decorated to look like a cruise ship sailing in Victoria Harbour, the event kicked off with both a video of CityU students sharing their dreams as well as a solo saxophone performance.

This was followed by the march-in of the officiating guests in sea captain costumes. They included: Mr Herman Hu Shao-ming, Chairman of CityU Council and Honorary Chairperson of CityU Foundation; Professor Way Kuo, CityU President and Co-Chairperson of CityU Foundation Board of Governors; Dr Yeung Kin-man, SBS, JP, Co-Chairperson of CityU Foundation Board of Governors; Mr Winfred Chan Hon-pun, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the dinner; and other members of the Organising Committee.

In his welcoming address, Mr Hu said CityU had been widely recognised for its excellent achievements in a variety of fields in recent years. He said generous donations from the community had enabled CityU to have the resources to nurture talent through its academic and research activities so as to contribute to society.

 

He pointed out that people of different ages should develop creative minds and hold on to their dreams in order to continue to make progress.

In appreciation of their contributions and support, Professor Kuo presented certificates to two new Honorary Patrons of CityU Foundation: BOCHK Charitable Foundation, represented by Mr Yue Yi, Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive of the Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited (BOCHK); and Dr Joseph Lee Chung-tak, GBS, OStJ, JP, Chairman of Wofoo Plastics & Chemicals Group and Wofoo Social Enterprises Limited.

Mr Chan, Chairman of the Organising Committee for the dinner, presented a ship's wheel to Mr Wong Chun-hong, BBS, Chairman of the 2018 Annual Dinner Organising Committee and Honorary Patron of CityU Foundation, signifying their continued support for CityU.

One of the highlights was a sharing session featuring Dr Yeung, Mr Chan and Professor Kuo talking about realising dreams. Dr Yeung shared his philosophy of running a business for mobile phone screens, indicating that the way to success was similar to the path taken by CityU: constant innovation.

When Mr Chan talked about his experience in the silk business, he likened education to rearing silkworms. He suggested that we should cultivate students patiently so that they can contribute to society after graduation.

Professor Kuo said that CityU had been bold in initiating innovative moves and reforms. He pointed out that perseverance in pursuing one’s dreams would ultimately yield rewards. He cited the example of how CityU’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, a first for Hong Kong, had obtained encouraging results from its first student recruitment drive.

Moreover, he said that in addition to hardware and software, “soulware” was integral to education. “Besides achieving integration of teaching and research, we need the correct mind-set. This important principle applies to education as well as society,” he said.

The auction, which was conducted in two parts, was hosted by renowned emcee Mr Nat Chan Pak-cheung and a representative from Sotheby’s. One of the items, a piece of calligraphy by Master Hsing Yun donated by Mr Winfred Chan, raised an additional HK$2 million for the Foundation, and the total amount raised that evening reached new heights.

The dinner also featured a mini musical with a pre-recorded short video that included Professor Kuo inviting members of the Organising Committee, University management and alumni to work together in fulfilling students’ dreams.

This short musical show was performed in the form of the La La Land Dance with students. Professor Matthew Lee Kwok-on, Vice-President (Development and External Relations), Ms Jenny Chan Pik-ha, Honorary Vice-Chairperson of the CityU Foundation, and Miss Angela Yeung Kit-ming, the dinner’s emcee, joined the dance performance spontaneously, revealing the spirit of the occasion.

Meanwhile, Cantopop singer Ms Rita Maria Carpio sang with Mr Hu; Professor Kuo’s duet with Miss Yeung rocked the audience; and Mr Sunny Lee Wai-kwong, CityU's Vice-President (Administration), and Professor Richard Allen, Dean of the School of Creative Media, performed on stage, too.

The wonderful performances earned a huge round of applause, encouraging more giving, and drawing the party to a perfect ending.