On 14 November, students, parents of students, staff and professors from UIC attended UIC’s 7th graduating class as well as the 56th commencement at HKBU. A total of 1,082 graduates were awarded diplomas from Hong Kong Baptist University, with 72 students obtaining a first class honours degree certificate, which is a 24% increase on last year. An estimated 500 students attended the ceremony to receive their graduation certifications.
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| Congratulations to 7th Graduating Class of UIC |
UIC student's graduation ceremony began at 3pm in the Hong Kong Baptist University’s Academic Community Hall. The declaration of the opening of the commencement was carried out by Mr Cheng Yan Kee, Chairman of the Council and the Court. This is the only bachelor’s degree awarding session that is presided over by Mr Cheng, showing how important UIC is to HKBU. The invocation that followed the opening speech was performed by Reverend Dr Ip King Tak, who read verses from Psalm 121.
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| The processional |
There was also music playing during this formal occasion as “How Great Thou Art” adapted by Stuart Kline and arranged by Dan Forrest was heard throughout the huge hall as it was performed by Hong Kong Baptist University’s Christian Choir, which was conducted by Mr Caleb Woo.
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| Over 500 students with friends and family attended the ceremony |
The diplomas were awarded starting with the Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours), which included anyone who studied Accounting, Applied Economics, Cultural Industries Management, Finance as well as Management of Human Recourses.
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| This was UIC's 7th Graduating Class |
The next batch of diplomas to be awarded was the Bachelor of Arts that included Applied Translation Studies, Cinema and Television, Contemporary English Language and Literature, International Journalism, Public Relations and Advertising in addition to Teaching English as a Second Language.
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| A UIC graduate receiving their Bachelor degree |
Students that studied Government and International Relations were awarded a Bachelor of Social Science. Also some graduates received a Bachelor of Social Work and Social Administration. Finally, students that studied Applied Psychology, Computer Science and Technology, Environmental Science, Financial Mathematics, Food Science and Technology as well as Statistics were rewarded with a Bachelor of Science.
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| Professors from UIC also particapted in the ceremony |
After all the diplomas had been awarded and the audience had given a rousing applause, Professor Franklin T. Luk, Vice President gave a presentation of scholastic awards. Following this, President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Roland T. Chin addressed the graduates. During his speech he mentioned the challenges that they will face in an ever competitive society, he also mentioned how times are changing in education, with more students travelling abroad for further experience and studies. After the speech, Ms Deng Bingjie who is a class valedictorian at UIC gave her thoughts with a graduation speech and being extremely grateful for the time the students had spent there. Reverend Dr Ip King Tak made a second appearance but this time to perform the benediction, which was then followed by Mr Cheng Yan Kee closing the commencement.;
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| Professor Roland T. Chin and Ms Deng Bingjie both gave speeches with final thoughts |
The long ceremony then finished with many photographs being taken with different departments and their professors. UIC President Ching-Fai Ng then gave his own speech at the Welcome Gathering for UIC 7thGraduating Class.
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| President Ching-Fai Ng gives the final speech |
By 6pm everything began to settle down, after a long ceremony and plenty of preparation the day drew to an end and UIC wants to wish the graduating students all the best for whatever they decided to do in their bright future.
Reporter: Samuel Burgess (MPRO)
Photographer: MPRO
(with special thanks to the ELC)
