Principal’s Welcoming Speech

“Humanities Day”

Opening Ceremony

(12/4/2008)

Guest of Honour - Professor LEUNG, School Supervisor Mrs. LAU, School Managers, PTA President Mr. WONG, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good Morning! Welcome to our ‘Humanities Day’!

It’s our great honour to have our Guest of Honour Professor LEUNG to officiate at our Opening Ceremony.

Professor LEUNG taught at the National University of Singapore and the California State University, Los Angeles before joining the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1992. In April 2004 he was appointed Professor of History, and has been Head of Chung Chi College since August 2004. In addition, he has held the position of Chairman of the History Department as well as that of Director of the Research Institute for the Humanities since 2006.

Professor LEUNG is a Humanities expert. He has been actively involved in academic governance, teaching and research. He has received 8 major research grants from the Research Grant Council of Hong Kong and published more than 11 edited books and monographs. Professor LEUNG’s main academic interests include city cultures in modern China (particularly Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen), overseas Chinese communities and the development of Christianity and Confucianism in modern China.

To me, it seems more useful to define the humanities as a way of thinking about and responding to the world. They are the tools we use to examine and make sense of the human experience in general and our individual experiences in particular.

The Humanities share the same fundamental features: critical thinking about issues and understanding the experiences and perspectives of others. These are in resonance with the learning rationale of the newly proposed curriculum for Liberal Studies, which demands critical thinking, inquiry learning, multiple perspectives, tolerance and respect for others.

We need the Humanities. Without them we cannot possibly govern ourselves wisely or well. They are vital to the nurturing of a generation of self-regulated, self-directed and independent learners in the 21st century.

In our school, we have been doing well in the Humanities and Commercial subjects. Five of our F.3 students were the Champions in the 5th Inter-school Competition of Study Projects on Hong Kong’s History and Culture organized by the Hong Kong Museum of History. Our students have also obtained numerous prizes in various inter-school competitions in subjects such as Economics and Public Affairs, Civic and Moral Education and Accounting.

Today, we are delighted to allow you to witness and enjoy the varied talents and generic skills of our students. I am sure you will appreciate the hard work that they have put into their project presentations and game stalls. Do please get involved! I also recommend you view the Liberal Studies exhibition; it is well worth a visit.

And now, may I wish you all a pleasant and enjoyable visit.

Thank you!