The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) held a flag-raising ceremony on campus this morning to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China.
The University was honored to have had Ms. ZHOU Qian, Counselor of the Department of Treaty and Law, Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in the HKSAR, officiate at the ceremony. She was joined by Dr. John CHAN, HKUST Pro-Chancellor; Dr. the Hon. Andrew LIAO Cheung-Sing, HKUST Court Chairman; and Prof. Nancy IP, HKUST President. Over 400 members of the HKUST community-including Council and Court members, senior management, faculty, staff, students, alumni and their families-along with more than 10,000 online live-stream views, participated in the event.
Taking place at the center of the HKUST Piazza, the ceremony provided a solemn moment for the HKUST community as they witnessed the raising of the national flag, regional flag, and university flag in front of the Red Bird Sundial Sculpture, expressing their hopes for the nation's continued prosperity and Hong Kong's stability and success.
HKUST Council Chairman Prof. Harry SHUM said: "Over the past 76 years of a remarkable journey through trials and triumphs, building a strong nation through science and technology has always been the core driving force behind our nation's development. HKUST is honored to participate in the nation's journey of continuous breakthroughs in innovation and technology and is grateful for its steadfast trust and support. As one of the world's top 50 universities, our faculty, students, and staff will unite with firm determination, immense courage, and perseverance to support Hong Kong's development as an international innovation and technology center and international hub for post-secondary education. Through excellence in education and research, we aim to contribute to the nation's goal of becoming a powerhouse in education, technology, and talent."
HKUST President Prof. Nancy IP said: "Since the founding of the People's Republic of China 76 years ago, our nation has achieved remarkable progress and profound breakthroughs, particularly in the field of science and technology. Capitalizing on Hong Kong's unique advantage of having strong backing of the motherland and being well-connected to the world, HKUST is committed to fully utilizing its strengths to meet the nation's needs. We aim to advance innovative education, conduct groundbreaking research, and enable impactful knowledge transfer. We will actively participate in the nation's major research initiatives, seize the opportunities presented by the country's 15th Five-Year Plan, and inject a continuous stream of new momentum into the high-quality development of both Hong Kong and the nation."
Nurturing Resilient Students with a Strong Sense of National Pride
The flag-raising was conducted by the HKUST Flag Guard Team, comprising current students and alumni. The entire process was solemn and dignified, with team members demonstrating rigorous and professional discipline.
Mr. ZHANG Qiao, a second-year PhD student in the School of Engineering and Captain of the HKUST Flag Guard Team, stated, "Having the opportunity to participate in the flag-raising ceremony is, for me, both a glorious and demanding undertaking. It is also a recognition of the trust and recognition the University has placed in me." He expressed that as a member of the Guard, he would not back down from challenges, even when facing difficulties such as hot weather during the flag-raising practices.
Ms. YEUNG Yat-Yau, a graduate from the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and member of the Flag Guard Team, shared that her participation in the Guard stemmed from a curiosity about the Nation's military and development. She also hoped the experience would allow her to meet students from around the world and broaden her international perspective. Through participating in the flag-raising ceremony, she gained a profound sense of pride in being Chinese.
