CW Chu College The Chinese University of Hong Kong eNewsletter

The 2012–2013 academic year has been a busy and active one for the College Life Committee, and for the students involved in the committee's social and educational activities in the College. While the College Life Committee has organized a number of events for the College, such as Movie Night, a hike to Shek O/Big Wave Bay, and Language Enhancement Activities, probably the most memorable events of the academic year were the High Table and Communal Dinner Talks.

The College Life Committee organized five High Table Dinners this academic year, with the first dinner held on 4 September (Tuesday), the first communal dinner for the first cohort of CW Chu students and for CW Chu teachers and staff. Mr Bing Liao, a former CW Chu scholar, was the special speaker and spoke about his own experience, as well as that of other Chu scholars, in Hong Kong and in the US with Dr CW Chu. His inspiring talk not only helped our new students understand the spirit of CW Chu College, but gave them insights about adapting to a new environment, and persevering in the face of adversity, all important tenets of the College.

Over the course of the academic year, four more High Table talks were given: On 14 November, Mr Tse Kam Keung talked about ʻQuest for excellence – from university education to the real worldʼ. This was followed by a lively and engaging demonstration by Mr Walter Ng on dining etiquette on 30 January. On 13 March, a special High Table dinner on social entrepreneurship and a social entrepreneurship workshop was held by Dr Tse Ka Kui. This was the first of four social entrepreneurship workshops held by CW Chu College this year. The final dinner talk was given by Professor Gladys Tang, Professor of Linguistics and Modern Languages at CUHK, on 10 April. Professor Tang gave illuminating and insightful talk about her research on the deaf community and sign language.

Aside from the five High Table dinners, CW Chu College had communal dinners every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. The College was fortunate to have a number of speakers and guests for a number of these dinners. Speakers invited to give talks ranged from, Professor Gordon Mathews about his research on Chungking Mansions, Professor Esther Cheung about ʻHong Kong as an (In)visible Cityʼ , Mr Lam Chun Kwong about rare books and the interesting collections in the University Library, Professor Wong Kin Yuen about ʻHong Kong Culture as Seen Through Kungfu and Kungfu Moviesʼ, Professor Peter Lam on interesting stories about artifacts in the Art Museum, Mr Lam Chiu Ying on bird watching, Mr Lau Kwok Yip on development & ethos of ʻnew mediaʼ in Hong Kong, Dr John Tan on liberal studies and social responsibility, Mr Lawrence Lour about his experience in Cambodia. Six of our CW Chu teachers also gave talks: Professor Kenneth Young about changes in our universe, Mr Terrence Lam on music, Professor Chak Wong on ʻFinance: A More Profitable Career than Other Professions?ʼ, Professor Evelyn Chan about reading and literature, Professor Angus Burnett about the ʻTop 10 Moments from The Olympic Gamesʼ, and Professor Lee Tin Lap about the politics of meals and pills.

The students themselves also gave talks and presentations during our communal dinners. Firstly, two former CUHK students, Mr Brian Yeung and Ms Carly Chan, gave talks about their overseas exchange experiences. Students also participated in a student-led ʻIndian Culture Sharing Sessionʼ on 15 November, led by one of the College's own students, Mr Shaurye Vardhan. Several International Culture Nights were also organized by the CW Chu College students themselves: One on India on 9 April and the next night on Taiwan and Thailand.

In addition, the students participated in a number of festivals throughout the academic year – they celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival in late September, had a student-led Sweet Dessert Soup Gathering in October, tasted turkey during the Thanksgiving Dinner in November, and celebrated the Lunar New Year with a feast on the 21 February.

Students were also kept physically active this academic year – they were able to participate in the College Men's Basketball Competition on 15 October, Archery Fun Days on 16 and 30 November, the 9th CUHK Rowing Championship on 13 January, and finally in a Golf Fun Day on 12 April.

Students also had opportunities for both English and Putonghua 'Language Enhancement' through various college activities. Four movie nights were held during the academic year – two of these for English movies (Harry Potter, The Hunger Games), and two Putonghua movies (To Live, The Wedding Banquet). Four Toastmasters sessions were held in Term 2, with a view to starting a Toastmasters Club at CW Chu College in the 2013–2014 academic year. Additionally, three Social English Workshops were held in Term 2 of the 2012–2013 academic year.

All in all, it has been a busy for exciting year for the College Life Committee and for the students, teachers, and staff of CW Chu College. There is no doubt that as CW Chu College welcomes its second cohort of students, and as the students themselves become more involved in the planning, organization, and implementation of College Life activities, ʻThe best is yet to come.ʼ

Jette Hansen Edwards

Chair, Committee on College Life