While the year's mightiest storm Mangkhut tore through our city, the other side of the world was ravaged by the tremendous power of hurricane Florence.  Both areas were drenched and left with a swath of damaged constructions and plants.  Although severe injuries and deaths are blessedly limited to a few score, efforts to deal with the aftermath will be huge - shattered windows are queuing up for replacement, debris blocking the roads require clearance, broken trees should be re-grown……  Over the weeks, various parties have proactively taken part in restoring our environment (i.e. roads, pavements, beaches, piers and country parks) to its former glory on a voluntary basis. Among them are our students and alumni.  Their contribution to this campus and its users is a conspicuous display of affection and cohesion for CUHK.

On the other hand, the more frequent arrival of super typhoons such as Prapiroon, Hato and Mangkhut seems to be a harbinger of what climate change is likely to bring to Hong Kong.  As far as destruction to humanity and nature is concerned, we have an unshirkable responsibility to get into the habit of protecting the globe.  That said, people are definitely too fragile in the face of natural disasters.  The saying "man can triumph over nature" is hardly to become true.  Given this fact, we would better manoeuvre our perspective of and response to the mishaps.  It is embodied, when CUHK was devastated by Mangkhut, through the reliability and diligence of our frontline staff, as well as the serving heart of our students and alumni.

We cannot change the altitude, yet we are able to adjust our attitude.

Sincerely yours,

Irene Ng
Director
I·CARE Centre for Whole-person Development