CUHK-Shenzhen Harmonia College Established
On March 29, 2018, the Establishment Ceremony of Harmonia College, CUHK-Shenzhen was held. Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Wang Weizhong, Secretary of the Shenzhen Municipal CPC Committee, Dr. Norman LEUNG, the Chairman of the Council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prof. Lawrence J. LAU, the Chairman of the Board of Shenzhen Finance Institute, CUHK-Shenzhen, Professor Sir James A. Mirrlees, Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences, Mr. Xiangbo Yang, donor of the Harmonia College, and Professor Yangsheng Xu, President of CUHK-Shenzhen attended the Establishment Ceremony.
Harmonia College Established to Reserve Talents for the Development of Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area
Prof. Xu, President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen first expressed his thanks to Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Secretary Mr. Wang Weizhong, and all the guests for attending the ceremony to witness the important moment of the College. He particularly mentioned that Mr. Xiangbo Yang, the donor of the College, was very concerned about education. Since the establishment of the University, Mr. Yang has always supported the development of the University. In recognition of Mr. Yang’s contribution to the University, the University Governing Board approved the name of the fourth college as Harmonia College. To express his appreciation for Mr. Yang’s contribution to the long-term development of the University, President Xu wrote two lines of verses which contain the Chinese name of Mr. Yang. The general meaning of the verses is: "The age of peace has nurtured talents who will create a magnificent world in the future." This is not only a compliment to Mr. Xiangbo Yang’s contribution to education but also an ardent hope for the future of the College.
Speech by Prof. Yangsheng Xu, President Of CUHK-Shenzhen
Mrs. Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, particularly mentioned in the ceremony for the establishment of Harmonia College that, in October 2012, she witnessed the commencement of the construction of CUHK-Shenzhen as the Chief Secretary for Administration of Hong Kong and there has been considerable development since then. She said: "The establishment of the fourth college of the University is really encouraging. As top-tier research university based in China and facing the world, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen has performed outstandingly in teaching and scientific research. As the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Development Plan will soon be implemented, Guangdong and Hong Kong will jointly promote major cooperation projects and introduce policies conducive to the flow of talents between the two. The success of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen is a symbol of unlimited possibilities for cooperation. After years of joint efforts, Guangdong and Hong Kong have established a solid foundation for cooperation and the relationship has become closer. I look forward to the two places working together to deepen cooperation in different fields and to develop the Greater Bay Area and the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative.”
Hong Kong Chief Executive Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor addresses the audience
Mr. Wang Weizhong, Secretary of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee, also expressed sincere congratulations on the establishment of the College on behalf of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee and the municipal government. He said, Shenzhen attaches great importance to the development of higher education and strives to promote it by leaps and bounds. Since the signing of the educational cooperation agreement between Shenzhen and Hong Kong in November 2008, the two sides have actively carried out diversified exchanges and cooperation, which has effectively promoted mutual learning and progress in common development in the fields of education. In particular, the establishment of high-quality universities represented by The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen has provided advanced international experience for the development of Shenzhen's higher education and has trained a group of outstanding talents. This has given us confidence in promoting the educational cooperation. With determination, we will also create a better environment with greater efforts and initiatives, and promote cooperation for more fruitful results. He believes that the establishment of Harmonia College will surely foster more comprehensive talents who are mindful of the motherland and the people with ambitions, ability, quality and responsibility for the development of Shenzhen and Hong Kong. It will make greater contributions to the building of a modern socialist country with Chinese characteristics and to the Chinese dream of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Party chief of Shenzhen Wang Weizhong addresses the audience
Then, Mrs. Lam, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr. Wang Weizhong, Secretary of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee, and Prof. Yangsheng Xu, President of CUHK-Shenzhen jointly unveiled the establishment of the College.
In his speech, Mr. Xiangbo Yang, the donor of the Harmonia College, former CPPCC member, Chairman of Suibao Group, mentioned that donating the College and the University is the most significant of all his charitable donations: "After Professor Liu Zunyi and President Xu Yangsheng told me the philosophy of this university, I think that was exactly the model I need most in the process of learning, entrepreneurship, and career development. Although the college system has been practiced at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen for a long time, I still don’t know much about it. After many visits to The Chinese University of Hong Kong, I learned that the college system is very good. That is why I am determined to donate this college to The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen as the college system can indeed make up for many of my shortcomings, which is very meaningful." he said.
Donor of Harmonia College Mr. Xiangbo Yang
At the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Yang Xiangbo also announced the first scholarship project of the College --- James A. Mirrlees Scholarship, which was named after Professor Sir James A. Mirrlees, Nobel Laureate in Economics Sciences and Master of Morningside College, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The scholarship aims to promote academic exchanges and communication between the Mainland of China and Hong Kong and overseas. It will provide financial support for Harmonia College students to join exchange programs of Hong Kong Universities and will also fund Hong Kong students for exchanges with Harmonia College.
Nobel Laureate, Professor James A. Mirrlees, addresses the audience
After the ceremony, Mrs. Lam visited the campus accompanied by President Yangsheng Xu. In the library, she actively communicated with students and asked about their life at the University. She also asked the seniors about their further plans after they graduate, and congratulated the students when she knew that most of them had been admitted into top universities and famous enterprises in the world. She encouraged the students: "The learning atmosphere here is really good. I wish you success in the future！"
During the tour, she met a South Korean student, Jake Lee, and asked why he chose this university. Jake Lee answered: "I like Chinese culture very much. When I was in high school in the United States, I knew that the educational philosophy of the University is to bring together Chinese and Western cultures. Also, I heard that Computer Science here is very good, so I chose to come here to study. Now I am a student assistant at the Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Robot and Intelligent Manufacturing of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen and I am participating in an experimental project."
College System: Whole Person Education to Cultivate Innovative International Talents
Since its founding, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen has inherited the mature management system and valuable teaching experience of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, including the excellent concepts and traditions of Holistic Education, General Education, and College System. CUHK-Shenzhen is committed to nurturing top talents with Chinese influences and international perspectives for the long-term prosperity and development of Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Pearl River Delta, and the country.
CUHK-Shenzhen has inherited the tradition of college system from CUHK. Students live in different colleges to establish their own college culture. The responsibility of the system lies in breaking the boundaries between schools and majors, bringing together students from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds, and promoting close communication between teachers and students for common development. The college system focuses on the whole-person development and provides many opportunities for non-formal education. It complements the schools' professional curriculum and also allows the teacher-student relationship to return to its true state, encouraging teachers and students to communicate more and learn from each other with more activities to tap students' potential and provide them with soft skills such as interpersonal skills, cultural taste, self-confidence, and responsibility.
Colleges feature student dormitory, cafeteria, music room, gym and other functional facilities. In addition, the extracurricular activities are colorful and will help to develop students’ interests, foster team spirit, and train organizational and leadership skills. Well-known scholars, artists, social leaders or outstanding figures are often invited to attend activities held by colleges such as academic seminars, weekly meetings, lectures, and tea parties. They are invited to communicate with students, share their insights and unique experiences, and broaden students' horizons with their rich life. With previous colleges including Shaw College, Diligentia College and Muse College, the Harmonia College is the fourth college of the University.
As the fourth college of the University, Harmonia College will maintain close exchanges and cooperation with other colleges of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. It will guide students to pay attention to and understand the social, economic and cultural conditions of Shenzhen and Hong Kong, cultivate a broad vision, and contribute to the exchanges and cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong and to the future development of the Greater Bay Area.
