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The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is honoured to receive a generous donation of HK$1 million from the Tsz Shan Monastery in support of the study entitled “Loving-kindness and Compassion Meditation: Exploring and Evaluating its Effectiveness on Improving Psychological Well-being among Stressed Professionals in Hong Kong” undertaken by Prof. Samuel Y.S. Wong of Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care of CUHK. A donation ceremony was held on 29 December 2017, officiated by Venerable Thong Hong, Abbot of Tsz Shan Monastery and Professor Joseph Sung, the then Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK. Mr Walter Ngai, Secretary General of Tsz Shan Monastery, and distinguished guests from the Tsz Shan Monastery, also joined the ceremony.  Professor Samuel Y.S. Wong, Head of Division of Family Medicine and Primary Health Care, Jockey Club of Public Health and Primary Care of CUHK, introduced to the guests details of the research project.

There are only limited studies conducted on the use of loving-kindness and compassion meditation in improving psychological well-being and improving anger control.  The study is proposed to evaluate the use of a loving-kindness and compassion meditation protocol devised by expert meditators in its use to improve psychological well-being, improving anger control and reducing psychological stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms among stressed professionals in Hong Kong. This study will include both a small pilot, focusing on feasibility and acceptability of participants followed by a larger randomized controlled study.

Professor Joseph Sung said in his welcoming address, 'I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Venerable Thong Hong and the Tsz Shan Monastery for their generosity in support of our research projects. As you all may aware, the stress level of many Hong Kong people is often very high.  Findings of surveys and studies reflect that many Hong Kong citizens, from children, teenagers, adults to elderly, are living under immense pressure.  As revealed by the Centre for Health Protection of the Department of Health of the HKSAR Government on "World Health Day 2017", 3 out of every 100 Hong Kong citizens aged between 16 and 75 were found suffering from depression, and about 55 percent of these sufferers never sought help from any mental health services.'

In his speech, Venerable Thong Hong highlighted the importance of improving the psychological well-being, especially the highly stressed professionals in Hong Kong. 'We want to find evidence to confirm whether the stressed professionals will be able to develop a peaceful mind through practicing loving-kindness and compassion meditation,' he said.

About Tsz Shan Monastery

Tsz Shan Monastery is a Chinese Buddhist monastery established for the preservation of the inheritance of the Dharma preached by Śākyamuni Buddha. The idea for the development of Tsz Shan Monastery germinated with Mr. Li, who has made grants of over HK$2.6 billion from his personal foundation to cover the full cost of construction and the daily operating expenses of the Monastery.

In celebration of its 4th Anniversary, The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change launched ‘JC–CUHK Climate Action’ with funding of over $35 million from The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust (the Trust) today (16 December). The programme will run a series of education and outreach initiatives that aim to narrow the gap between climate awareness and climate action in Hong Kong.

Officiating at the 4th Anniversary Celebration and launch ceremony today were The Hon Wong Kam-sing, Secretary for the Environment of the HKSAR Government, The Hon Sir C K Chow, Steward of The Hong Kong Jockey Club (the Club), ProfessorJoseph Sung, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, Dr Rebecca Lee, Founder of the Polar Museum Foundation, and Professor Fok Tai-fai, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of CUHK and Chairman of the Steering Committee for Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change.

Professor Sung explained that outreach education activities had become a core element in today’s museums. ‘With the generous support of the Trust, the Museum will continue to run a variety of climate action initiatives and projects under the theme “JC–CUHK Climate Action” in the coming three years to help the people of Hong Kong better understand the potentially devastating effects of climate change and inspire solutions,’ he added.

The Hon Sir C K Chow said the Club through the Charities Trust had been promoting the concept of a low-carbon lifestyle in the community, and through its co-operation with various environmental groups, had launched various innovative projects to encourage people to adopt green living habits. ‘Over the past four years, the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change has attracted over 250,000 attendees, playing an important role in raising public awareness of environmental protection,’ he noted. ‘The Club will further support the Museum’s development by launching the JC–CUHK Climate Action programme. It is hoped that the number of attendees to the Museum and its mobile version will exceed 180,000 over the next three years, and attract about one million participants of activities organised by JC–CUHK Climate Action.’

The Hon Wong said, ‘Earlier this year, the HKSAR Government announced “Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2030+”, which covers climate actions in three areas, namely mitigation, adaptation and resilience, in response to the Paris Agreement. The objective of climate change mitigating actions is, among others, to reduce Hong Kong’s carbon intensity by 65%–70% compared with the 2005 level, which is equivalent to a reduction of per capita carbon emissions to around 3.3–3.8 tonnes per annum. Hong Kong’s low-carbon transformation requires concerted efforts of the Government, the business sector, schools and the general public to pursue energy conservation, green commuting and waste reduction etc. in daily life, as well as to lead a low-carbon lifestyle in clothing, food, living and travel.’

Also introduced at the ceremony was a newly-launched mobile version of the Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, which is an interactive, multimedia-enhanced ‘mini-museum’, designed to enrich the user’s experience when learning about the impact of climate change. Its first exhibition, ‘Polar Vision’, is being held at D‧Park in Tsuen Wan today and tomorrow (16–17 December) for the public to visit for free. It will also be offered for loan, at no charge, to schools, community centres and NGOs, beginning in January 2018.

In the coming three years, JC–CUHK Climate Action will organise different activities such as large-scale annual carnivals, eco-tours, visits and workshops to disseminate climate change and sustainability messages to a wide spectrum of audiences. It will also nurture the sustainability young leaders by building a platform for connection and information exchange, and providing training to university and secondary school students to promote public awareness of the need for climate action and sustainable development in Hong Kong.

Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change

The Jockey Club Museum of Climate Change, funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust, was established in December 2013 at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). It is the first museum of its kind in the world, offering an interactive, multimedia exhibition that showcases valuable collections and information about climate change. It is the ideal venue for the public, especially students and teachers, to champion the cause of environmental stewardship and keep themselves abreast of the latest developments on environmental conservation and sustainability. The Museum has attracted over 260,000 visitors since its inception.

In 2017, the Trust further pledged its support for a three-year initiative of the Museum: ‘JC–CUHK Climate Action’. The Museum will, during the next three years, run a variety of environmental education activities to help the people of Hong Kong to better understand the potentially devastating effects of climate change and to suggest innovative solutions and engage themselves in action. 

More details about the Museum can be found at www.mocc.cuhk.edu.hk.

Source: Communications and Public Relations Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The speedy growth of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), since its inception in 1963, has been made possible by the generous support from community leaders, alumni and friends of CUHK, which has guided  the University to move from strength to strength and become a world-leading institution. In recognition of the unwavering contributions from our benefactors, the “Appreciation Dinner cum Chinese Cultural Night Featuring Tang Xianzu’s Masterpieces” was held yesterday (2 December) at the Sir Run Run Shaw Hall of CUHK. Over 160 major benefactors, friends, alumni, faculty members and staff of CUHK joined this joyous occasion.

Prof. Joseph Sung, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, expressed his gratitude to our benefactors in his welcoming remarks. “In the past seven years, during my tenure as the University’s Vice-Chancellor and President, I have been privileged to get to know all our supporters sitting here, and to witness the rapid development of the University together. The growth of CUHK in the past 50 or so years was not without challenges, and we are truly grateful for the unfailing support from our benefactors. With your support, the University is able to increase its strength and competitiveness in teaching, research and community service, and can nurture our students to become the future pillars of society.”

Dr. Norman Leung, Chairman of the University Council of CUHK, accompanied by Prof. Joseph Sung, the Provost, Vice-Presidents and Associate Vice-President, proposed a toast of thanks to the distinguished guests for gracing the event with their presence. Before the commencement of the performance, Prof. Sung presented a souvenir to Mr. Sherman Tang, a descendant of Master Tang Xianzu, and sponsor of the performance. Prof. Sung also thanked Dr. Alice Lam and Dr. Anita Leung for their long-term support towards a wide range of Chinese cultural activities initiated by CUHK.

After the donor appreciation dinner, there were five brilliant performances featuring the masterpieces of Tang Xianzu, a renowned playwright of the Ming Dynasty, including Peking opera, Cantonese opera, Pintan, Kunqu and Chinese music. A number of world-class performers showcased the essence of Chinese arts and culture, including first class national actors and actresses Mr. Wang Lijun, Mr. Gao Bowen, Ms. Yue Meiti and Ms. Zhang Jingxian, famous Cantonese opera master Mr. Yuen Siu-fai, and Yao Yueh Chinese Music Association. Over 300 CUHK students were invited to watch the performances and to appreciate the beauty of Chinese art and culture.

Source: Communications and Public Relations Office, The Chinese University of Hong Kong