Welcome Message from the President
Dear Students,
Welcome to HKBU! With the world back on track and everyone ready to start anew, I am delighted that you have decided to start a new chapter of your academic journey with HKBU.
The transition from secondary school to university is an important milestone. It is a time to gain new experiences, learn new skills and build a new network while acquiring knowledge that you are interested in. We are entering a new era where AI-driven technology will change how things work and how your job will look in the future. At HKBU, we would like our students to be future-ready and focus on problem-solving. You will have the chance to learn to your heart’s desire. The key to making the best out of your university life is to stay curious, creative and open to new ideas and possibilities. One thing you will notice about the learning environment and the academics at HKBU, is that we often ask ourselves and our students two questions: ‘Why?’ and ‘Why not?’ As you explore the answers to these questions, you will see a world of possibilities open up.
This is how two remarkable HKBU-led art-tech projects came about, the “Future Cinema Systems” and the launch of the world’s first symphony orchestra where HKBU students performed on stage with an AI virtual choir, AI media artists and AI dancers. They both originated from a vision that re-imagines what it is like going to the cinema, or how a musical performance can be conducted in the future. These innovative endeavours by our HKBU academics opened new doors and possibilities, and inspired others to follow suit. By making it a habit to innovate and think out of the box, you too can do the same and make your own new discoveries during your time at the university.
At HKBU, you have a safe and nurturing environment where you can be bold and innovative. You can step out of your comfort zone safely, and experiment with new methodologies and technologies. Your professors and instructors are here to guide and inspire you, and help ensure you make the best out of the next four years.
Once again, welcome to the HKBU community. I shall look forward to the day when I see all of you proudly taking the spotlight on stage, in your graduation gowns, four years down the road. In the meantime, I hope to see you around campus and wish you an enjoyable and fulfilling university life!
Professor Alex Wai
President and Vice-Chancellor
Chair Professor of Photonics
June 2023