UIC President Prof Tang Tao delivers a speech to UIC graduates in Chinese and English
2023 Graduates, Distinguished guests, UIC faculty and staff, and family members and friends:
This is a special day. In celebrating UIC's 15th Graduation Ceremony, we are delighted by the presence of HKBU's President Alex Wai, HKBU Council Chairman Dr Clement Chen and China's hottest quantum information scientist Prof Pan Jianwei. Let us give them our warmest UIC welcome!
The very fact that these gentlemen are here in person tells us that things are almost back to normal, Covid-wise. For the first time in four years, parents too are finally able to witness a deeply moving moment in their children's life. That also makes today a special day. After a 3-year absence because of the pandemic, it is good to see parents back smiling. As our partners in education, I warmly welcome them on behalf of all of us at UIC.
This year marks the 18th anniversary of UIC's founding. In less than 20 years, UIC has come a long way. Today, Hong Kong's Chief Executive Mr John LeehonoursUIC greatly by speaking to us via a video message. Our Chief Executive would be pleased and proud to know that Hong Kong Baptist University, joined with Beijing Normal University, and landed herein the Greater Bay Area as China's first joint-venture university. We have been sowing the seeds, and now we are reaping a rich harvest. UIC people are leaders, not followers. What's more, UIC proudly flies the flag for liberal arts education to develop China's much-needed soft power.
In the age of AI, is there still a place for liberal arts education? I say, on the contrary, it has a critical and greater significance. AI may perform many functions previously performed by humans. But there is one thing AI can never do, and that is, enjoying the process itself, for life itself is about enjoying the process in all its diversity. Creativity depends on the full flowering of the individual. Only the creative individual is future-proof. In this sense, liberal arts education is the future of education.
Creativity definitely benefits from diversity. Here at UIC, we celebrate cultural diversity. But in promoting international education, we make sure that it comes with Chinese characteristics. An international orientation does not preclude a sense of responsibility towards our country. Our students are encouraged and equipped to tell a good China story to the outside world. We do not forget our roots and our traditional values.
In the past, arts and science were two distinct areas, each jealous of its own boundaries. But today it is well recognized that a cross-disciplinary approach produces stunning innovative outcomes.
In 18 years, UIC has come from a humble small college to the beautiful university it is today. Now, with our second-phase campus, we are bigger and better. Teamwork, cross-disciplinary learning, adaptive capabilities, continuous self-learning and communicative competence—these are the essential attributes we try hard to instil in every UIC graduate. UIC's name has found legs around the world, wherever quality education is respected.
But however impressive our progress, complacency is not in our nature or our culture. Our DNA is never-ending learning to find the best versions of ourselves and to make a positive impact on society.
I heartily congratulate the class of 2023. I hope you take away from your time here — from your professors, from your study experiences, and from one another. May happiness in learning be in your life. And may you find success through failure for failure is the best teacher.
And now, may I wish our guests, parents, teachers and graduates good health and happiness.
Thank you and good luck!
