The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) today presented Long Service Awards to over 250 faculty and staff members who have served the University for 20 years or are serving the University for the 20th year. This is the first of a series of celebrations on HKUST's 20th Anniversary this year.
The theme of HKUST's 20th Anniversary celebrations is "Our Miracle Continues". As HKUST's achievements in the past 20 years are regarded as a miracle, and the long serving staff are what made this miracle possible, HKUST decided to make the Long Service Award the first 20th Anniversary event.
Officiating at the ceremony, HKUST President Tony F Chan expressed his appreciation for their many years of dedication to the University. He said, "Today we honor over 250 of our loyal and long-serving employees, among whom are faculty members , who for the first time, are being so recognized since the Long Service Award began. Without you, without people like you, we wouldn't be where we are today.
"Now, as the university sails into its third decade, we have a bigger dream to chase . Our university, our city and our country need us to sail on strong and free, crossing and conquering new frontiers, with our old magic spirit," he said.
At the ceremony, Prof Michael Altman of the Department of Physics, expressed his feelings towards the University. "Three words sum up my feelings towards HKUST in the past 20 years - Gratitude, Relief and Pleasure," he said. "I am grateful to the University for giving me immense opportunities and a conducive environment for my research developments. Joining a new university in a new territory carries inherent risks and sacrifices, but I am relieved that my investments have paid off and my adventure has reaped the desired outcome. Finally, it has been a great pleasure to work with my academic and non-academic colleagues, and also to mentor generations of innovative and enterprising students."
Mrs Pandora Yuen, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Office, talked about the HKUST spirit in both the staff and the students. "Just before we moved into our Clear Water Bay campus, we had a relatively small office in Tsim Sha Tsui, and everybody knew everybody else well and we worked as a closely-knit team to ensure the smooth opening of the University in Fall 1991. Then when the first student halls were opened, the facilities were barely adequate. However the students were very understanding and were willing to solve a lot of the problems themselves. In the later years I was particularly impressed by the selflessness, bravery and team spirit of colleagues and students in combating SARS in 2003."
HKUST introduced the Long Service Award to recognize the unfailing contribution of the staff since the University's early days, and to further boost their sense of belonging.
For media enquiries, please feel free to contact :
Ross Lai
Tel: 2358 6306 / 9103 2928
Email: rosslai@ust.hk
Kit Yip
Tel: 2358 6313
Email: kityip@ust.hk
