2018 Shaw College Formal Dinner

Elegant long table, neat chairs, elegant bouquets...everything appeared plain, elegant and solemn. Many students commented that it was analogous to the magic school in Harry Potter.

Under the guidance of teachers and student assistants, nearly 900 students were seated in an orderly manner within merely a few minutes.

After the guests and classmates were seated, the hosts announced the official start of the dinner. The dinner was co-chaired by Mr. Gu Yue from the financial engineering major and class 2018, and Ms. Qi Yiwen from SME and class 2018.

Prof. Janny Leung, Master of Shaw College, delivered a welcome speech.

She said, "When we do something for the first time, it is a new beginning, the second time is a challenge; when it comes to the third time, it becomes a tradition." This year, Shaw College, the organizer of this formal dinner, was honored to invite Prof. P. C. Ching, former Head of Shaw College and Vice-President of CUHK, to be the keynote speaker.

This year, Shaw College, the organizer of this formal dinner, was honored to invite Prof. P.C. Ching former Head of Shaw College and Vice-President of CUHK, to b the keynote speaker.

Prof. P. C. Ching is a professor of electrical engineering at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He was the Dean of the School of Engineering at CUHK from 1997 to 2003, the Head of Shaw College of CUHK from 2004 to 2008. In 2014, he served as the Vice President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. From 2013 to 2014, he served as the Director of the Shenzhen Research Institute CUHK.

(Prof. P.C. Ching)

At the dinner, Prof. P. C. Ching delivered a fantastic speech. He mentioned that university was the most precious four years in one's life. He hoped that everyone could work hard, reach his/her best state within these four years, and become one of the best talents in the 21st century. Prof. Ching also specifically mentioned innovation.He quoted Steve Job's saying, "Innovation distinguishes between the leader and follower." Prof. Ching said that innovation was crucial for the progress of society. Innovation can provide more, better products; additionally, innovation can provide people with a better life. He also mentioned that innovation was the first driving force in all fields. Finally, he conveyed his hope that our students would be able to contribute to the development of human happiness using their own majors, and with the assistance of innovative thinking.

On behalf of the Chinese University of HongKong (Shenzhen), Prof. Zhu Shiping, Vice President for External and Student Affairs of the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), presented a souvenir to Prof. Ching and his wife at the dinner. （Shown in the figure below)

After presenting the souvenir, the whole audience raised their glass, felt grateful for all, reviewed the past year's harvest, looked forward to a new and beautiful future, and celebrated this very moment of joy!

At the dinner, the melodious violin and piano echoed in the Liwen Building. Hong  Haoyang (from SSE, class 2018) and Xie Yueyang (from SSE, class 2017) performed a violin piano concerto 'Contemplation.' (Shown as below)

Ding Yuhan and Wen Jianhuang (both from SME, class 2018) brought us a piano duet 'Humoresque.' (Shown as below)

At last, a piano solo 'Ballade pour Adeline'. performed by Liu Junda （from SSE, class 2018), was presented on the stage. (Shown as below)

After the dinner, students scrambled for taking photos with teachers, and recorded this lovely evening.

Now let us look forward to the next year's formal dinner!