CW Chu College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

Due to the ongoing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, the University's congregation for the conferment of Bachelor's and Master's Degrees to graduates in 2020 was decentralised and hosted by Colleges and Faculties to avoid a large crowd gathering on the main campus. Bachelor's Degrees were conferred in nine College ceremonies on 19 November 2020, while Master's Degrees were conferred in Faculty ceremonies on 20 or 21 November. In response to the worsening pandemic situation from early November, the University had to decide, regretfully, on 13 November that the graduation ceremonies would be held via live broadcast for the graduates and their guests.

Presided over by Prof Wai-Yee CHAN, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK and College Master, the University's 88th Congregation (Conferment of Bachelor's Degrees) cum College Graduation Ceremony 2019–20 was held in the morning of 19 November in Chong Kin Wo Hall, with the support of the Communications and Public Relations Office (including its Audio-Visual Division), the Estate Management Office and the Security and Transport Office.

The Ceremony started off with a speech by Prof CHAN as College Master. He congratulated the graduates on the completion of their studies, and spoke about the recipes for happiness and appreciation that he regarded as the best prescriptions in times of adversity, for example, seeing things from a different angle, making ‘variety’ the spice of life and lending a helping hand to others.

The pre-recorded video of Ms LEE Tsz Ching Percy's speech on behalf of the Class of 2020 was played. As a teacher now (see a separate article—Career and Internship Scheme), she was impressed by her students' innocence most, which reminded her of her own experience as a new College student four years ago. She shared her tears and laughter in the College, and encouraged the other graduates to believe more in themselves that they could always get through any difficulty in this seemingly doom-and-gloom world.

Without the physical presence of the graduates, the conferment of Bachelor's Degrees was conducted in a simplified and dignified manner, with College students grouped Faculty by Faculty, and witnessed in person by some College Fellows, a Teacher and an Affiliate. Following the declaration by Prof CHAN, Presiding Officer, of the conferment of the Degrees to the graduates of a Faculty, the graduate list of that Faculty was shown on the screen and names were individually read out by Prof Thomas AU, Associate Master and Dean of Students.

It had been expected that some of the graduates would visit the College to take photos in their academic gowns on the event day or later, so a backdrop was set up in the College Piazza in November and December for several weeks, and packs of souvenirs were prepared to welcome the graduates.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020 on completing their undergraduate studies at CUHK!

For the video recording of the Ceremony, please visit the University's website.