Dean of Medicine Ushers Graduates into Next Stage of Their Journey with HKUMed
Graduates proudly crossed the stage at HKUMed’s 211th Congregation on Saturday as they celebrated their academic achievements in healthcare and medical science.
In his first major event since his appointment as the 41st Dean of the Li Ka Shing Faculty Medicine, Professor CS Lau congratulated graduates and expressed his own excitement at being entrusted with the role.
“I joined the University to learn my trade as a young lecturer in medicine in 1992 and am forever grateful for the opportunities offered to me to grow into what I am now,” he said.
He thanked the University of Hong Kong for giving him a chance to repay all that it has given to him.
“This is the greatest honour to work and walk side by side with you as the Dean for the next five years,” Professor Lau said.
Professor Lau congratulated the almost 600 graduates on their successes and said the Faculty’s achievements are only possible through the commitment shown by its people.
“As a Faculty, we cultivate this commitment by putting people first — whether they are new or existing staff, new or existing students or, like yourselves after today, alumni of HKUMed. We look after all of our relationships and all of our people, and I hope our new graduates will view today not as an end, but as the beginning of the next stage of your journey with the Faculty.”
Professor Lau detailed the Faculty’s recent work to incorporate the latest technologies to train the healthcare professionals of the future in his Dean’s Letter 2023.
Graduates in their red and blue gowns were joined by their friends and family at the University of Hong Kong’s Grand Hall.
“A special feeling today is that I can see my classmates as we’ve not seen each other for three months. I’m happy we can gather today,” said Dr Eric Tang, who received his Doctor of Philosophy degree.
He expressed his gratitude for the support he received from his classmates, supervisors and those he turned to for advice during his time in the Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care.
“I had a number of great classmates who were doing their research with me. I am a data analyst but still needed clinical input as I was not familiar with healthcare policy or management,” he said. “So I’m thankful to the clinicians, my co-supervisor and my primary supervisor.”
“I’m excited to be graduating after two years of hard work, it’s a big sense of achievement,” said Astrid Wah, who graduated with a Master of Nursing degree.
Wah said she enjoyed making new friends on her course and studying alongside her former colleagues to develop their skills.
She added that she is already applying what she learnt during her degree in her work in infection control.
Guest of honour, Mr Carl Wu, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Frontier Group, which is developing healthcare services in mainland China, reminded graduates to be humble and to dream big.
“I wish that you remain humble and understand that success in healthcare isn’t just about individual accomplishments, it’s about working collaboratively and advancing together,” he said.
