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The Convocation of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK Convocation), in collaboration with the Alumni Affairs Office and the Office of Institutional Advancement, held the 'Road to Scientific Excellence' Fundraising Walkathon on campus on 2 June to raise funds for the Institute of Chinese Medicine (ICM). Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung, Vice-Chancellor of CUHK; Dr. Chan Chi-sun, Chairman of CUHK Convocation; Prof. Leung Ping-chung and Prof. Fung Kwok-pui, Directors of ICM, and representatives of major sponsors officiated at the kick-off ceremony. With the generous support from sponsors and donors, the event has raised over HK$1 million for ICM to acquire new research equipment – The High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LCMS).

The event received enthusiastic support from over 150 students, staff, alumni and major sponsors, including Phoenix Charitable Foundation, Hong Kong Shun Lung Yan Chak Foundation Limited, CHIHO-TIANDE (HK) Ltd., Health Action, The Incorporated Trustees of Ryoden Development Charitable Trust, Twin Wealth Biotech Limited, and Wah Ching Chinese Medicine Foundation. Participants enjoyed the walk on the beautiful sunny day on campus from the University Piazza to the newly established science and research region – Area 39. Apart from paying a visit to the new Lo Kwee-Seong Integrated Biomedical Sciences Building, participants also enjoyed the informative exhibition of ICM and attended the Chinese herbal medicine seminar delivered by Prof. Clara Lau Bik-san, Assistant Director of ICM. After the seminar, a tour to the Chinese Medicine Garden was arranged to enhance participants' understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.

To download photos of the event, please click here.

The Department of Japanese Studies (JAS) at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) celebrated its 20th anniversary by joining New Asia College to plant 20 cherry trees on campus yesterday (28 February). The event brought together about 100 friends of New Asia College and JAS, representatives from the Japanese business community, and staff and students at the Pavilion of Harmony to welcome the arrival of cherry trees to the beautiful campus of CUHK.

The tree planting ceremony was officiated by Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung, Vice-Chancellor, CUHK; Mr. Daisuke Matsunaga, Deputy Consul-General of Japan in Hong Kong; Mr. & Mrs. Mike Mizoguchi, President of MRT (HK) Co. Ltd.; Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Chao, Vice-Chairman of Novel Enterprises Ltd.; Prof. Henry Nai-ching Wong, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and former Head of New Asia College, CUHK; Mr. Leung Ying-wai, Chairman, Board of Trustees of New Asia College, CUHK; Prof. Chu Ka-hou, Acting Head of New Asia College, CUHK; Prof. Fung Tung, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor, CUHK; Prof. Leung Yuen-sang, Dean, Faculty of Arts, CUHK; Prof. Lynne Nakano, Chairman, JAS, CUHK; and Prof. Takanori Kitamura, Professor, JAS, CUHK.

Cherry blossoms mark the arrival of spring – a season with new hopes and opportunities. 'The trees will fully integrate with the Pavilion and with the beautiful campus of CUHK to reflect the harmony between man and nature. When the trees blossom, all students at CUHK – including those who haven't had a chance to study in Japan – can enjoy hanami (or 'flower viewing') on campus,' said Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung in his welcoming remarks.

New Asia College has a mission to encourage cultural exchange and mutual understanding between countries and regions. For over 40 years, the College has been organizing student exchange programmes with two universities in Japan, namely Asia University and Soka University. Besides, New Asia College also offers summer language programme in Kyoto to enhance students' competence in Japanese and their understanding of the Japanese culture. The planting of cherry trees at New Asia College, therefore, has a significant meaning.

CUHK has offered courses in Japanese language and studies since 1967. Since 1991, JAS has offered a major programme in Japanese Studies that provides students with comprehensive training in Japanese society, culture and language. The programme sends all of its major students for one year of study at an exchange partner university in Japan. All JAS students are offered exchange places at 18 Japanese universities including first-tier institutions such as Kyoto University, Osaka University, Waseda University, Hitotsubashi University and Meiji University. Since 1992, over $23 million in scholarships has been secured to enable nearly 500 major students to study in Japan. The Department is committed to nurturing culturally-sensitive and committed graduates with strong capabilities in critical analysis and problem solving who will make great contributions to the Hong Kong society.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has launched the I‧CARE Programme to promote students' holistic development through social and civic engagements in Hong Kong, mainland China and overseas. The Programme has been well received by CUHK students and the community since its launch in September 2011. CUHK is pleased to announce today (14 February) that the Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation has made a generous pledge of HK$10 million to inspire CUHK alumni to support this meaningful cause. Under this 'Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation Alumni Challenge', every dollar an alumnus gives will be matched dollar for dollar up to a sum of HK$10 million.

On 20 January, mathematician Prof. Shing-tung Yau (1969/Chung Chi/Mathematics), Distinguished Professor-at-Large and outstanding alumnus of CUHK, appealed to all alumni to donate the extra money they receive from the HKSAR Government's 'Scheme $6,000' to their alma mater in support of the newly launched I‧CARE Programme, for the holistic development of students through social and civic engagements in Hong Kong, mainland China and overseas. In response to Professor Yau's appeal, Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, together with all Pro-Vice-Chancellors and Faculty Deans joined hands to each donate a red packet of $1,000 to the I‧CARE Programme at the Spring Media Reception on 30 January. They expressed their hopes that 10,000 alumni will follow suit to donate HK$1,000 each, which will inject another $10 million into the I‧CARE Programme.

Mr. Peter Kar-shing Cheng, chairman of Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation, said, 'The Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation has been a staunch supporter of the educational projects of the Chinese University. A donation was made to its Faculty of Medicine for the setting up of the "Chow Tai Fook – Cheng Yu Tung Surgical Stem Cell Research Centre" last year, promoting the use of stem cell in the clinical therapy of organ degeneration and trauma related diseases. The foundation identifies with the vision of the I‧CARE Programme and is impressed by the alumni's fundraising initiatives. We are pleased to make a donation pledge of HK$10 million to match with the alumni's donation on a dollar-to-dollar basis, with the hope that more CUHK alumni can support this meaningful cause.'

Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung is grateful for the recognition and support from the Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation. 'The donation is particularly significant with the recent proposal of the Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government that the sixth round of the Matching Grant Scheme will be expected in July this year. The University will apply for the matching fund, with donation cheques received by end of June and the donation from the Chow Tai Fook Charity Foundation, on the commencement day of the Matching Grant Scheme. Therefore, this campaign is particularly meaningful as every $1 donated by our alumni will actually be worth $3 ($1 from CTF Foundation and $1 from HKSAR Government matching fund).'

Prof. Shing-tung Yau concluded, 'On this joyous Valentine's Day, I hope our alumni will rapidly respond to our appeal, and make a donation in support of I‧CARE Programme as a token of appreciation to our alma mater.' He said he would send a 'Valentine's message' to CUHK alumni all over the world to wish everyone happy Valentine's and to solicit their support for CUHK.

To make a donation to I‧CARE Programme, please visit www.cuhk.edu.hk/oia/icare.

To learn the latest news of I‧CARE Programme, please visit www.cuhk.edu.hk/icare.