The events lined up to celebrate the OUHK’s 30th anniversary in 2019 also acted as a showcase of the particular strengths that the University has developed in its three decades of existence. The OUHK’s 30-year commitment to serving the community, expanding the reach of education, fostering creativity, and building networks both locally and internationally, were all recognized and celebrated throughout the year in a series of joyful and enthusiastically supported special occasions.

In line with its long-term commitment to promoting Chinese culture, the OUHK took the opportunity of its 30th anniversary celebrations to stage an ambitious adaptation for Chinese opera of scenes from the famous classical novel Dream of the Red Chamber. Staged in the Grand Theatre of the Xiqu Centre in the West Kowloon Cultural District on 1 June, the performance incorporated traditional Cantonese opera excerpts and original dance and stage work to wonderful effect, and was enthusiastically received by audiences.

Other anniversary events specially designed to embrace the wider community included Open Days in September that gave visitors and potential students an all-round taste of what the University offers these days. Visitors got to enjoy a series of fun and informative events organized by the five Schools and the Student Affairs Office, and a Library Open House. They were also able to admire 30 calligraphy pieces of the character shou, or ‘longevity’ created by a group of Chinese calligraphy students at LiPACE, which went on display on campus throughout September and October. Around 700 works written by people associated with the University were showcased in the book display ‘The Treasure of OUHK People over the Thirty Years’, hosted by the Library from September to November. Elsewhere, the creative minds of OUHK students found an outlet in the Creative Arts Graduation Show, a mid-year event which presented the very best work of the University’s talented arts students.

In tune with its mission as an educational institution and its longstanding commitment to ‘Knowledge for All’, the OUHK packed its anniversary year with opportunities for academic exchange and enhanced public access to knowledge. From April to December 2019 it hosted seven conferences on topics as diverse as language studies, mathematics education, information retrieval and artificial intelligence, all highly relevant to pressing issues of our time.

The University also continued with its popular Great Speakers Series and other public lecture series during the anniversary year. Inspiring speakers who graced platforms in this time included neurologist Prof. Nancy Y Ip, Secretary for Food and Health Prof. Sophia Chan Siu-chee, the ‘father of non-invasive prenatal testing’ Prof. Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, founder of the Wu Zhi Qiao (Bridge to China) Foundation Prof. Edward Ng Yan-yung, and renowned economist Prof. Lawrence J Lau. The topics they addressed ranged across many fields, but all had in common a passionate commitment to using knowledge to enhance and enrich our society and the lives of citizens through education.

Part of the University’s anniversary celebrations were focused on building personal relationships and having fun together. Its Ocean Park Fun Day event, jointly organized by the Human Resources Unit and Student Affairs Office, in September brought together around one thousand students and another one thousand staff members and their families for a full day’s fun that featured an OUHK community gathering celebration ceremony. For sports lovers, the Student Affairs Office organized an inter-university basketball tournament between teams from the OUHK and seven other local institutions in competition for the Tin Ka Ping Sports Cup. Alumni were not forgotten, with highlight events that included a pop-up Alumni Café in September welcoming graduates home, representing a trip down memory lane for many. Another popular alumni event was a ‘Build a Robot’ workshop held in July, which enabled participants to try their hand at robot-building under the guidance of OUHK alumnus and founder of the Robot Institute of Hong Kong, Jacky Yau Ka-chun.

In December 2019, the OUHK hosted a splendid Anniversary Banquet to bring its celebrations for the year to a close. The banquet, held in the Grand Hall of the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, delivered a fitting tribute to over 1,200 partners, friends, staff, students and alumni. University leaders and former leaders along with government ministers and other officials made up the 13-person officiating party, led by the Guest of Honour, Pro-Chancellor Dr Charles Lee.

Apart from inspiring speeches, stimulating conversation and delicious food, the Anniversary Banquet included some exceptional musical performances by specially invited masters. A Chinese drum show kicked off the event, followed later by two pieces performed by the OUHK Orchestra, a performance on the erhu by alumnus Mr Tian Yujia, and a pipa piece performed by alumna Ms Chan Man-chong.

To provide a lasting record of the OUHK today accompanied by an in-depth exploration of how the University got here over time, a special Anniversary Book was published in the year. Titled Striving to Nurture, Transforming the Future, this fascinating volume explores the initial founding of the OUHK in 1989 and its subsequent development and transformation over 30 years of change and growth. With fewer words but on a much larger scale, a massive wall poster was mounted in the interchange subway between Tsim Sha Tsui and East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR stations, dramatically displaying images of the OUHK from across its three decades of serving Hong Kong. A similar exhibition showcasing the University’s inspiring history was also set up for guests at the OUHK Anniversary Banquet.