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In recognition of the unwavering contributions from our benefactors, the Opening Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Garden of Appreciation and Dinner Reception were held on 6 December 2014. Officiated by Dr Vincent Cheng, Chairman of the Council of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), and Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Joseph Sung, the Ceremony took place at the Golden Jubilee Garden of Appreciation, flanked by Sir Run Run Shaw and Y C Liang Halls. Over 150 major benefactors, friends, alumni, faculty members and staff of CUHK joined this meaningful occasion to celebrate the opening of the Garden. Unprecedented in the history of CUHK, the Dinner Reception was held in the auditorium of Sir Run Run Shaw Hall.

We will be for ever grateful
Professor Sung highlighted in his speech that the speedy growth of the University in the past five decades is made possible by the generous support and wise counsel from community leaders, supporters, friends and alumni of CUHK. The Golden Jubilee Garden of Appreciation was created, on the occasion of the University's 50th anniversary, in recognition of the indispensable contributions from our major benefactors over half a century.

The Garden is designed by Professor Yutaka Yano from the School of Architecture of CUHK. It features eight portals symbolising the gates of knowledge offered by our Faculties of Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science and Social Science. The water, flowing along the two sides of the main pathway of the Garden, represents the support from our benefactors for the cultivation of young talents and the development of CUHK. Proposed by members of the CUHK 50th Anniversary Fund Raising Committee, an installation in the shape of the hillside of CUHK, has been erected in the Garden. The installation comes with a screen with names of our major benefactors moving above the skyline of CUHK like clouds. This installation serves as a means to acknowledge the support from our donors, and more importantly a tool to educate our students to appreciate the contributions from our benefactors; learn to be thankful; and give back to the society after their graduation.

Brilliant performances by alumni
Alumni Ms Akina Fong and Mr Allan Au were invited to be the masters of ceremony of the Opening Ceremony as well as the Dinner Reception. The Dinner was kicked off by the recitation performance by Ms Milly Chow, alumna of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, and Ms Cheuk Chun-lam, student of the Department of Music. The passage recited by Ms Chow is written by Professor Ho Che-wah, Chairman of the Department of Chinese Language and Literature, and Professor Simon Haines, Chairman of the Department of English. Dr Vincent Cheng announced in his speech that CUHK have raised more than the institutional ceiling of HK$1.14 billion, and received the maximum amount of HK$600 million matched grant under the 6th round of Matching Grant Scheme operated by the HKSAR Government. "This was made possible by the staunch support from our benefactors, alumni and friends, as well as through the concerted efforts of our faculty members and staff under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor Professor Joseph Sung," said Dr Cheng.

In line with the theme of the 50th anniversary of CUHK – "Embrace our Culture; Empower our Future" – the Dinner featured three videos produced by the Audio-Visual Division of the Communications and Public Relations Office, namely "Now and Then", "Dreams Come True" and "Soaring over CUHK", to demonstrate the advancement of the University in the past five decades; illustrate how CUHK serves as a platform for faculty members and students to realize their dreams; and showcase the peaceful and stunning campus of the University. To express our appreciation to our donors, alumnus Dr William Ng performed a beautiful piano piece, while alumna Ms Judy Ho, accompanied by Ms Jennifer Tse, presented at the Dinner a delightful harp and flute performance.

Moving forward to the second 50 years
Celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2013, the University organized a wide range of commemorative events throughout the year. The Opening Ceremony of the Golden Jubilee Garden of Appreciation was a finale event in celebration of the Golden Jubilee of CUHK. The event enabled CUHK members to meet with the benefactors and thank them in person. Moving forward to the second 50 years, CUHK will continue to nurture generations of brilliant young talents for the society by upholding its motto "Through learning and temperance to virtue" and mission "To combine tradition with modernity, and to bring together China and the West".