March 8, 2009
Dear Students:
Oh how time flies!
Three and one-half years ago around 270 students first joined the class of 2005 and gave this newly born venture, United International College (UIC) its first breath of life. This was a breath borne of the conviction that UIC would become a new model for higher education for our country. The labour pains experienced by a mother during birth is one of the most intense pains conceivable. Yet together with you we have survived the excruciating pain of birth. Moreover, your commitment to this newly born college has inspired increasingly more high school students to search for a new path in their academic advancement.
The 2005 class started their schooling in the rented classrooms of BNUZ, with the two temporary offices of teachers and administrative staff close by.
Then came the 2006 class. They were the first to enjoy Zones B and C - our very own teaching and administrative buildings. After a delay of a month or so, the whole campus could finally be called our own and its completion in October 2007 marked the welcoming of the 2007 class. Our attention soon focused more and more on the construction of the new student hostels which had been promised earlier to the students in the past two years. But unexpected interruptions resulted in further delays and this not only created pressure on a small group of students, mostly those from 2005 and 2006 classes, but forced them to experience unnecessary hardships during the first phase of the building of the college.
The 2006, 2007 and 2008 classes have joined forces with you to enable this challenging project to take a major step forward. Your teachers from different parts of the world have tried hard to help you. Young, talented administrative staff have overcome their fears to meet the challenges of providing services that have never been offered in the Mainland: a Hong Kong tertiary education management system that would be localized in Zhuhai. All of us share the same dream - to contribute in the pioneering a new educational model for China.
Everyone who has given their heart to experience this birth and its painstaking trials wishes the best for all of you. However, this does not exclude the daily stream of ever newer problems and challenges, all the while accompanied by the sometimes successful and sometimes futile attempts to tackle these problems and meet these challenges head on. You have survived and overcome this continuous trail of trials and tribulations.
Pioneers all experience both joy and sorrow. But it is hope and vision that have protected them from the dangers of demoralization. We wish to serve our students, parents and the community by performing well in the role of pioneers.
UIC is a pioneer. You are also pioneers. And as an integral part of UIC you combine the creative spirit of entrepreneurship with the vision to participate in the development of a new educational model for the country. But that is not enough. You should also possess the spirit of a servant leader: to be cultured in this new model and at the same time pay back parents and society by contributing in weaving this unprecedented dream into reality. Without the sacrifices of your parents and teachers, you would not have been able you to reach the stage you are now at. By trying to make the best out of your studies in UIC, you will repay your parents and society by making this pioneering project a success.
Regardless of the ups and downs you may have experienced here, some of you have now successfully stepped into the 8th, and last term of your studies in undergraduate education. For the 2005 class, you will be taking up the challenges of providing UIC with its first cohort of graduates. The world is anxiously waiting to see how this unique cluster of infants may have finally transformed into young men and women who will provide leadership for the world.
It is not uncommon for some of the members of the team to lose heart or even their sense of direction on this difficult road. Some may expect or even demand that UIC provides a comfortable and stable environment which is not in keeping with the growth and development process for a newly born institution like ours. Without the kind of commitment that enables us to prevail amidst the wind and rain throughout this path- breaking journey, the experience may easily turn sour, brewing ill feelings of dissatisfaction and frustration.
The common saying of "survival of the fittest" may not be applicable to UIC and you because we are not fully equipped or prepared for all the challenges. But all of us have been willing to strive. We share a common dream, to serve and create something meaningful. We have not only survived but proved to be a dynamic and determined team of pioneers. We are record-setters, opening new horizons which will lead us to tackle unforeseen problems.
We need courage to face all these challenges and you have impressively demonstrated the qualities of patience, persistence and understanding. After the visit of Mr. Wang Yang, the Guangdong Provincial Party Secretary, the College has been established as a model for the future development of the Pearl River Delta reform and development.
Other universities from Hong Kong, Macao and the other parts of the world will come into the region to try to set up joint venture universities. Your experience will be valuable for them to study and gain a better understanding of how students from UIC represent true reform and development.
Surfing on the waves of all the difficulties and challenges as members of the UIC team of pioneers, you have demonstrated true qualities of authentic entrepreneurship. On the road of creative development, what we need is direction and faith. We may not know the final destination of our future because change is rapid and unknown. What will help us explore new avenues of growth and development is our ultimate sense of direction and the faith to strengthen our determination to move forward. We have to overcome our internal fear of uncertainty. In order to gather more strength to cope with challenges, we have to be flexible and adaptive. Pioneers tread on uncharted terrains. However, it is exactly this kind of interaction between challenges and skills and our capacity to meet with them, that will ultimately cultivate qualities that the world of tomorrow needs. At times you will slip, stumble or fall. Setbacks are not uncommon. Frustration and dissatisfaction will occasionally test your patience and perseverance, while the success of others may be disheartening to your fighting spirit and even cause you to doubt why you are still striving on. These are moments that your faith in searching for a new horizon in the sea of your own future will be the light that gives you hope and enhance your courage.
One of my favorite American film directors and writers, Woody Allen once said, "If you¹re not failing every now and again, it is a sign you¹re not doing anything innovative."
Failures may be just battles. Don¹t worry about losing the battle because you may be winning the war. The future world will demand leaders who are emotionally mature, intellectually creative, and socially committed to serve with humility and integrity.
This means that we will not compromise our principles and directions. Instead we will walk through the stormy environments of today to find appropriate solutions to create a better world for tomorrow. We should have no fears of working under pressure or even failing if we have the determination and courage to stand up again.
Just as the famous American general George Patton once urged his soldiers, "I
don¹t measure a man¹s success by how high he climbs, but how high he bounces when he hits the bottom."
With faith and courage, you will keep on bouncing back to new heights.
To be a mature member of the UIC team of pioneers you need to look beyond the mist of today by fixing your eyes on the rainbow of tomorrow. UIC is proud of you for your perseverance. The world will also remember you for your adult efforts to light up the rainbow of tomorrow with your dedication and commitment.
One of your fellow students sent me a message over my mobile:" 有時對學校是有些小情緒，但昨天梦到自己畢業時候泪流滿面。時間過得太快.... " ( at times I have some emotion toward the college, but last night I dreamt that when I was graduating, my tears ran all over my face. Time really flies too fast)
Yes, time really travels fast especially when we are together striving for a better
future. Everyday is a day to remember.
Edmund S.T. Kwok
