Over 1400 new students from mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and South Korea have entered UIC and its liberal arts environment. Why have they chosen UIC, a college co-founded by Beijing Normal University and Hong Kong Baptist University?
Wang Kainuo from Tianjin made a dramatic change when she was choosing universities. On the day when she had handed in her application for a renowned university in her hometown, she was on a train en route to Beijing with her mom to celebrate her vacation.
“I met a UIC student on the high speed train. She told me a lot about the college,” Wang said. She became interested in UIC’s Whole Person Education, which aims to develop all-round persons. Despite having only an excess of 5000 undergraduates at that time, the college provided more than 60 interest and extra activity clubs. She could smell the vitality within the campus.
“It’s very attractive. The senior high school where I just graduated is traditional and exam-oriented,” she added. UIC apparently gave her new exciting expectations so she decided to immediately return to Tianjin to revise her application. As she achieved very high scores from the National College Entrance Examination, she was awarded UIC’s Full Entrance Scholarship.
(From left) Freshmen Xu Tao, Su Yunhe and Wang Kainuo
Another student, Su Yunhe from Liaoning Province believes UIC’s education model of an international standard is very enticing. It would benefit her plan of studying abroad for a postgraduate degree.
From the first several days she has been at the college, she could tell how much the older students, who helped the freshmen out during registration, love their university life here. She said she looked forward to studying in the Environmental Science Programme and a new lifestyle in the city of Zhuhai, which is far away from her home.
The new students move to their residence halls in the New Cultural Village
Chen Jiaxi (Chan Ka Hei) left Hong Kong for UIC’s campus in July. The environment impressed her. She understood UIC has a Hong Kong education model and its Cinema and Television Programme has been highly acclaimed. “Studying in mainland will be of help to know students from various places. Communicating with people of different ways of thinking will expand my horizons, too,” she explained.
UIC offers a variety of scholarships to excellent students. Chen has been awarded the first class category of the Hong Kong Principals’ Scholarship.
Chen Jiaxi (Chan Ka Hei) in her dorm
“It was absolutely an amazing moment when I heard that I was to be admitted to UIC,” Financial Mathematics Programme freshman Zhang Xiangyu delivered a speech as the student representative at the inauguration ceremonies on 30 August. “I believe what is waiting for us ahead is adventurous and challenging.”
President Ng Ching-Fai and the recipients of the full entrance scholarships. Zhang Xiangyu is the third from right
Starting on 25 August, the freshmen arrived at the residence halls of the New Cultural Village one after another. The registration procedure went smoothly on 27 August with improved organisation and the help of over 180 student volunteers and some 40 resident student tutors.
A week-long orientation programme then got the freshmen acquainted with the UIC campus, facilities, academic support services, hostel life and more. The orientation was packed with programmes on themes such as University Life Education, Mentor Caring and English Enhancement.
Students also had an opportunity to meet and interact with the Deans, Associate Deans and Programme Directors of the four divisions. The Division of Culture and Creativity has had its first intake of students.
Welcoming the students at the inauguration ceremonies, UIC President Prof Ng Ching-Fai urged them to bring out the highest standards of academic performances. “You are the one who have to find meaning for and shapes your life. In short, you are the author of your life,” he added.
Vice President (Academic) Prof Zee Sze Yong encouraged the freshmen to master the art of self-motivation, self-determination and self-control. Vice President Prof Zhang Cong then told the students to learn to take responsibility, show respect to others and serve society.
President Ng, Vice Presidents Prof Zee Sze Yong and Prof Zhang Cong make speeches
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| It is the first time that the new students have sung the college anthem at the inauguration ceremonies |
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| Associate Vice President Prof Lilian Kwan speaks of teaching and learning at UIC to the freshmen |
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| Prof Stella Cho, Dean of DBM |
Prof Sung Mei-hwa, Dean of DHSS |
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| Prof Stephen Chung, Dean of DST |
Prof Aaron Chiu, Interim Dean of DCC |
The orientation involved the freshmen’s parents as well. They actively participated in the Parents Forum and High Table Dinner to know more about the college, which were part of the practice of Four-Point Education linking the college, the students, the parents and society.
The parents join the parent forum
Reporter: Deen He
Photographers: Cheryl Chen, Lancy Zhang, Deen He
Editor: Samuel Burgess
(from MPRO)
