During the Convocation 2023 ceremony, Professor Jun Liu, Rector of City University of Macau, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the new students as they embarked on a new chapter of their academic journey. In his address, he emphasized the importance of striving for excellence and personal growth. He urged the students to approach their studies with an open mind and passion, and shared three expectations to guide them.
Read the full text of Rector’s speech at Convocation 2023.
Dear new students, esteemed faculty, and honored guests! Good afternoon.
On behalf of the City University of Macau, it’s my great honor and absolute pleasure to extend a warm welcome to each and every one of you. Today, we are gathering here to witness the birth of a new chapter in your exciting lives at the City University of Macau – a chapter bursting with boundless opportunities, transformative experiences, and unforgettable memories.
To our new students, let me assure you that your decision to join City University of Macau is a testament to your dedication, intellect, and thirst for knowledge. You have chosen wisely, or you have been selected smartly!
Whether you dream of becoming the next businessman, a top-notch financial analyst, a savvy data scientist, an influential artist, a CEO in hotel industry, a compassionate social worker, or a research-driven applied linguist, a well-known urbane scientist, an astute lawyer, or a devoted educator, City University of Macau is here with you to support you, to cheer you up in every way possible.
Studying at City University of Macau is not only an honor, but also a serious endeavor. Academic success is your top-notch goal. However, education at City University of Macau is not limited only to the classrooms or campus. We firmly believe in the holistic development of our students, which is why we provide a wealth of extracurricular and co-curricular activities and opportunities for each and anyone of you.
Engage in community service, participate in clubs and organizations that along with your passions, explore cultural activities – be an active participant in shaping our university and your university experience. Whether you are an undergraduate, a graduate, or a doctoral student.
It is also important to remember that success is not solely measured by academic achievements. At CityU, we place great importance on nurturing well-rounded individuals who possess strong ethical values, empathy, and a global perspective. We encourage you to embrace diversity, engage in meaningful discourse, and be compassionate leaders who strive to make a positive impact on society.
As new students, you will undoubtedly face challenges ahead. University life may present moments of self-doubt, uncertainty, and even failure.
However, it is through numerous trials that we discover our true potential. Perspective is very important. You need to be persevering, seeking help when needed, and remember that failure is not an endpoint, but rather a steppingstone to your future success. The City University of Macau community stands ready to support you in overcoming any challenges and obstacles you may encounter.
To our new faculty or esteemed teachers, your commitment to shaping young minds is commendable. Your passion and dedication provide the foundation for our students' success. The impact you will have on these bright young individuals is immeasurable, and we owe you a debt of gratitude for your tireless efforts in helping them realize their dreams.
Dear students, in a world that is constantly evolving, it is crucial that we equip ourselves with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive. City University of Macau offers a diverse range of courses, programs and resources to ensure that you are prepared for the challenges as well as triumphs that lie ahead.
Our state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge research opportunities, and extensive university and industry partnerships combine to create an environment that fosters innovation, critical thinking, and personal growth.
As you embark on this exciting journey, remember that the road to success is not always smooth. But do not fear, for within each obstacle lies an opportunity for growth and learning. So, embrace the challenges with an open heart and an open mind, for they will shape you into the resilient, compassionate, and well-rounded individuals you aspire to be. As your rector, let me offer you three pieces of advice to ensure your future success down the road.
Advice 1: “I will try!”
I will try starts with curiosity.
- Curiosity
- Curiosity is a quality related to inquisitive thinking such as exploration, investigation, and learning.
- Curiosity leads to discovery.
- People living on Earth might not know whether there are human beings in the moon, but we need to dare to challenge us to discover that fact.
- Curiosity may enable you to learn, but too much sometimes curiosity will get you into trouble. Because curiosity is not the only thing curiosity needs to be followed by actions.
- Action
- Actions speak louder than words.
- It is better to look where you are going rather than to see where you’ve been.
- It is a great deal better to do all the things you should do than to spend the rest of your life wishing you had.
- The best time to do something worthwhile is between yesterday and tomorrow.
- Opportunity
- The gates of opportunity swing on four hinges: Initiative, insight, industry, and integrity.
You need to take your initiative try to do something that is meaningful and worthwhile. Insight, you need to have understanding of a grasp up the knowledge to see where you are whether this is something you will continue to do. You need to have industry working hard. Start smartly. And never forget that all your effort will help you succeed in the end. And you need to have integrity be a good student be a good citizen at CityU and uh you will make CityU proud of who you are and what you do every day on this campus.
Advice 2: “I will try again!”
I try again. Starts with confidence.
- Confidence
- You must first be a believer if you would be an achiever.
- The line between self-confidence and conceit is very narrow.
- A good leader inspires people to have confidence in him or her; a great leader inspires them to have confidence in themselves.
Confidence leads to courage.
- Courage
- Courage is not the absence of fear, but the conquest of it.
- It’s all right to be cautious – but even a turtle never gets anywhere until he sticks his head out.
- The true test of moral courage is the ability to ignore an insult.
- The courage to speak must be matched by the wisdom to listen. To be a good listener to understand what's around you what the message you have received before you are able to deliver your own message.
Be cautious, be courteous, be respectful to others.
- Enthusiasm
- We won’t go far without enthusiasm, but neither will we go far if that’s all we have.
- Enthusiasm will be the accompaniment in your courage to explore the road ahead with perseverance and confidence.
Advice 3: “Keep trying”
“Keep trying” starts with perseverance.
- Perseverance
- Perseverance is defined as sticking to something you are not stuck on.
- There are four steps to accomplishment: Plan purposefully, prepare thoroughly, proceed positively, and pursue persistently.
- The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse.
- Falling down does not make you a failure, but staying down does.
- Ambition
- Every accomplishment, great or small, starts with the right decision, “I’ll try and keep trying.”
- Ambition never gets anywhere until it forms a partnership with study and work.
- Ambition without determination has no destination.
- Ability
- Ability is the most important tool in your life.
- We rate people by what they finish, not by what they attempt.
- You can always tell luck from ability by its duration.
- We increase our ability, stability, and responsibility when we increase our own sense of accountability.
Dear students, in closing, I’d like to extend my heartfelt welcome to each and every one of you once again. Once again, your presence, your being here today, enriches our campus, enriches our university community, and we are thrilled to have you here. We’re most welcomed. Remember, the City University of Macau will be your home away from home. It is a comfort zone; we help you to train yourself. We help you to stand up. We help you to see the world. The City University of Macau will be a place to acquire your knowledge, grow your personality and see endless opportunities.
Ladies, gentlemen, do you have this pin with you today? Would you please take it from your pocket? or touch it if you already had it on your shirt? Look at me. What are this mean? This means you are our family members. You are part of CityU. You have your DNA carved, with the spirit of City University of Macau.
I together with our faculty, leaders, look forward to witnessing your incredible journey of transformation and success at the City University of Macau. May your time with us be nothing short of extraordinary. Thank you. Good luck.
