The event was attended by Chancellor and Council Chairman Chan Meng Kam, Council Vice Chairmen Ung Choi Kun, Yan Zexian, and Chairwoman Kong Fanqing, Council Member Amber Li, University Foundation Fiscal Committee Member Lok Weng Kan, University Foundation Trust Committee Member Carlos Marreiros, Rector Jun Liu, Vice Rectors Zhou Wanlei and Ip Kuai Peng. They hosted the toast ceremony, celebrating unity and discussing future development with all faculty and staff in a warm and cordial atmosphere.
Rector Liu Jun drew an analogy with the “horse” to extend sincere New Year blessings to all faculty and staff, encouraging everyone to uphold the spirit of the Year of the Horse, characterized by enterprise, dedication, and unwavering perseverance in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities with commitment. At the same time, Rector Liu outlined a five-year vision for the University’s high-quality development and called upon all members of the CityU community to unite as one. Guided by the CityU spirit, he encouraged collective efforts to advance the CityU to greater heights and achieve new breakthroughs.
In addition, Tiffany Leung, associate professor from the Faculty of Business, Wendy Gao, program coordinator from the Faculty of International Tourism and Management, Huang Xiang, assistant professor from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Sally Duan, assistant professor from the Faculty of International Tourism and Management, were awarded the Teaching Excellence Award. Furthermore, five individuals received the Teaching Excellence for Junior Academics Award, one received the Excellence in Dissertation Supervision Award, and two received the Innovation and Creativity in Teaching Award.
To acknowledge the dedicated service and longstanding commitment of faculty and staff who have contributed to the university over the years, CityU held the “Long Service Award” ceremony. Among the honorees, two individuals received the 20-Year Service Award, and 22 individuals received the 10-Year Service Award. Their passion and perseverance have borne witness to the growth and development of the University.
In recognition of the contributions made by administrative staff to the University, CityU also held the “Outstanding Administrative Staff Recognition” ceremony. A total of 29 administrative staff members who received an “Excellent” rating in their performance appraisal for the academic year 2024/2025 were commended, with three of them receiving the Outstanding Administrative Staff Award. Through their efficient and professional service, as well as their diligent and responsible attitude, they have provided solid support for the university operation.
Rector Liu led the faculty and staff choir in a grand finale performance, presenting three classic pieces: “Looking Back,” “You Raise Me Up,” and “Joyous New Year.” The performance brought the atmosphere to a climax, with the heartwarming melodies and genuine emotions resonating with every guest present. Faculty and staff members joined in singing and cheering, fully showcasing the unity, vitality, and uplifting spirit of CityU community. 
During the banquet, a Unitree Go2 robotic dog made a special appearance to deliver New Year greetings. Equipped with a powerful NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX (100 TOPS) computing platform and a high-precision Hesai XT16 LiDAR, the robot captivated attendees with its lively and adorable movements. Blending technology with the festive spirit, it brought joy and warmth to the venue, becoming a distinctive and unforgettable highlight of the evening. 
Photo credits: CityU Reporter
