The Golden Jubilee kicks off with a flying start!

The Chinese University of Hong Kong turns 50 in 2013. To commemorate this significant anniversary, the University held the “CUHK 50th Anniversary Kick-off Ceremony • Walkathon and Carnival” on January 27, initiating an exciting assortment of programmes spanning the whole year. The event was attended by distinguished guests, together with about 3,000 visitors, alumni, staff and students of the University.

At the event, Vice-Chancellor and President Prof. Joseph Sung said the slogan of the anniversary celebrations is “Embrace our Culture. Empower our Future”. It would be an occasion for the Chinese University to reiterate its core values and its mission, and to bring to the community’s full view the University’s humanistic spirit, which has been its guiding light since the earliest days.

The kick-off ceremony was followed by the walkathon that took place at Lingnan Stadium on Chung Chi campus, with the aim of raising funds for the I • CARE progarmme. A carnival was held at the Lingnan Stadium after the walkathon. It provided a chance for alumni, staff, students and their families to come together and celebrate the golden jubilee.

Please click here to watch the event video and browse the event photos.

"My Journey from Evil to Heroism" by Professor Philip Zimbardo

The Chinese University of Hong Kong is privileged to have invited the 'voice and face of contemporary psychology', Prof. Philip Zimbardo, Professor (Emeritus), Department of Psychology, Stanford University, as the guest speaker for the first of the University's 50th Anniversary Distinguished Lectures. Professor Zimbardo presented a lecture on “My Journey from Evil to Heroism” on CU campus on January 29, to share insights into exploring and encouraging the psychology of everyday heroes, through which individuals can initiate positive changes in their own lives as well as that of their society as a whole. The lecture got an overwhelming response and drew over 600 participants.

Led by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Joseph Sung, the I‧CARE Programme which promotes students' social responsibility and civic participation, shares the same vision as Professor Zimbardo's Heroic Imagination Project. Through Professor Zimbardo's sharing, the University hopes to enlighten its members and the public on ways to shape a better future for the world, echoing the objective of the anniversary celebrations.

Press here to browse more information and photos of the lecture.

International Conference on Foodways & Heritage

On January 3-5, 2013, the Anthropology Department, CUHK, co-organized the “International Conference on Foodways and Heritage: A Perspective of Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage” with the Hong Kong Heritage Museum and the University of Tours, France. Scholars from different regions and various disciplines, including anthropology, sociology, history, and gender studies, discussed the politics of foodways and heritage, in particular, how different kinds of food are produced, sustained and inherited and at the same time how they are preserved as intangible heritage.

Eugene N. Anderson, Professor Emeritus at University of California, Riverside, U.S.A, gave the keynote speech at the Conference. A roundtable conference was also held particularly devoted to French cuisine, as a response to the UNESCO's decision of adding the "gastronomic meal of the French" to the "intangible cultural heritage of humanity." On the last day of the Conference, the scholars took part in field trips that showed two distinct scenes of foodways in Hong Kong, namely the Nam Pak Hong in Sheung Wan and the Freshwater Fish Farm in Tai San Wai, Yuen Long.

For more information on the conference, please visit the blog

Prof. Lau Siu-ying, Patrick talked about his Journey to the Heart

On January 19, 2013, Professor Lau Siu-ying, Patrick delivered a lecture entitled “A Passage to Sichuan: A Journey to the Heart” at Ho Tim Building, CUHK. It introduces and summarises the counselling training Prof. Patrick Lau has been providing for the locals in Chengdu in Sichuan since late May 2008, right after the massive 8.0-magnitude earthquake hit Wenchuan in Sichuan on 12th May 2008. Prof. Lau has visited Chengdu 10 times within the past 4 years. Apart from disseminating professional expertise and experience, Prof. Lau has also conducted self-exploration groups, seminars and workshops on Comprehensive Guidance Programme for the graduate students in Psychology of Sichuan Normal University.Through numerous trips and family visits, he has developed close relationships with the students as well as with the locals. The students are always reminded of the importance of their contribution for the community and are encouraged to help those in need with their professional knowledge. It needs time to touch the hearts and to affect the lives of others. The journey to the Heart will go on.

From the Treasure House: Jewels from the Library of The Chinese University of Hong Kong

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and to showcase the collections of rare books in the University libraries, the University Library System and the University's Art Museum are mounting a joint exhibition entitled 'From the Treasure House: Jewels from the Library of The Chinese University of Hong Kong' to enable the public to have a glimpse of the wide range of valuable publications, manuscripts and artworks in the University's holdings.

All are welcome to visit the exhibition and admission is free.

Details are as follows:

Period: 10.1.2013 – 19.5.2013 (closed on public holidays)

Venue: Gallery I, Art Museum, CUHK, Shatin

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

For more information on the exhibition, please visit the website

Spring has come, cherry blossoms on campus!

Early last year, 20 cherry trees were planted in New Asia College to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Department of Japanese Studies. They were Japanese Flowering Cherry, which is one of the best species from Japan. Recently the trees outside Chih Hsing Hall have blossomed, indicating the arrival of spring – a season with new hopes and opportunities. These beautiful blossoms also signify a delightful beginning to the Golden Jubilee. Do go to see these beautiful blossoms if you happen to be in the area, and enjoy the fresh scent of spring!

Two new 50th anniversary souvenirs available for sale!

Recently two new items have been added to the 50th anniversary souvenir collection. They are the Octopus Card – HK$100 and 50th Anniversary Bone China Plate – HK$200. Both are available now at the souvenir counter at John Fulton Centre.