The grand opening today (28 October) of the Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre (CMC) at City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has ushered in a new era for creative media in Asia.

With state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities, the CMC will help nurture the next generation creative media and communication professionals and establish itself as a hub for professionals by promoting interdisciplinary exchange, research and synergistic collaboration.

The officiating guests at the ceremony included Ms Mona Fong, Chairperson of the Shaw Foundation, Mr Daniel Libeskind, Architect of CMC, Dr Norman Leung Nai-pang, Pro-Chancellor of CityU, Mr Raymond Or Ching-fai, Acting Council Chairman of CityU, and Professor Way Kuo, CityU President.

In his welcoming remarks, Dr Leung said the CMC building is a masterpiece of architecture and a landmark for Hong Kong and the world. “Our vision is to establish a centre of excellence in the field of creative media,” he said.

He also expressed his gratitude to Sir Run Run Shaw for his contributions to the University and thanks to Mr Libeskind for undertaking this great project. The Centre was named after the internationally renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist to thank him for his continuous support to the University.

Situated on Tat Hong Avenue in Kowloon Tong, the CMC is a nine-storey complex with study space, staff offices, student/staff amenities and supporting facilities, laboratories and theatres, and advanced audio-visual equipment.

According to Mr Libeskind, the unique building exterior captures the creative spirit and intensity of Hong Kong. Within, it provides a stimulating environment and meeting point for creative media professionals from around the world and for student-staff interactions, interdisciplinary collaborations and synergies with industry.

Mr Or said CityU has shown itself to be world-class in various academic disciplines and in discovery and innovation. “Our management has always demonstrated vision, leadership and courage in embracing new initiatives,” he said. “The CMC represents who we are, will carry us forward and will help us fulfil our mission for Hong Kong, mainland China and the global community.”

The dynamic-looking building is the permanent home of the School of Creative Media and will also house the Department of Computer Science, Department of English, Department of Media and Communication, and the Centre for Applied Computing and Interactive Media.

Professor Kuo said education has moved from one-dimensional to two-dimensional, enriching the original teaching and learning by adding the element of research. “Now education is transforming to three-dimensional. We have to be creative and innovative,” he added .

The opening ceremony kicked off a six-month festival of world-class events to entertain, inform and inspire, including a series of symposia, performances, exhibitions and world premiere screenings.

These programmes are open to the public for free. For more information and registration, please call 3442 6553 or visit www.ncm2.xyz/cmc.

Media enquiries: Karen Cheng, Communications and Public Relations Office (Tel: 3442 6805 or 9201 8895)