As graduates receive information on the arrangements leading up to the big week in early November, the relocation of the Congregation venue has become a subject of much passionate discussion among some graduates and students. My colleagues have also received enquiries on the matter.
I would like to take this opportunity to share with you the considerations behind the decision to conduct the Congregation in the Sports Hall. But first of all, I wish to apologize if the change has caused any confusion. I hope that by sharing with you the following, some queries will be answered. And if you have any further enquiries or suggestions about the Congregation, you are most welcome to contact us again.
There are quite a few reasons for the relocation, of which the weather is the prime consideration. As you must be aware, even when it rains moderately, water gets into the Atrium. When there is wind, it blows through the whole area. When there is rain and wind, the rain blows far into the Atrium. Last year, the entire ceremony was terribly affected by strong wind on the third day. Halfway into the ceremony, some parents and relatives had to leave because they got very cold. The speakers could not be heard because the wind blew right into the microphones. <= Atrium漏水問題一直存在, 一開始便存在, 但為何不在第一年開始就在Sports Hall舉行, 而選擇在Atrium? 當然是因為Atrium的價值比Sports Hall高! Atrium漏水問題不是去年才發現, 為何不去改善問題而是"斬腳趾避沙蟲"? 試問舉辦了九年的畢業禮有多少次真的如去年般被風雨影響?
The University has received many opinions and suggestions after the last Congregation, and a thorough review was conducted to identify a more suitable venue. Throughout the search for the new venue, one major requirement was to maintain the grandeur of the occasion. Since the stage holds the key to preserving this splendor, we have taken careful measurements to ensure that a stage of very similar size and design can be replicated in the Sports Hall. We are also attracted by the option of having a quiet venue dedicated solely to the ceremony. <="We"並不是當主角的我們! 我們有說過喜歡縮在一角靜靜地無聲無色地舉行畢業禮嗎? 我們想的是可以讓全校師生一起見証著我們畢業, 分享我們的喜悅! Last but not least, the view of the stage will not be blocked because there is no pillar in the Sports Hall. Every graduate and guest in the Sports Hall will have a better view of the great stage with our proud graduates receiving their honours upon it. <=是什麼樣子我們根本就不知道!!
The Atrium is always close to the hearts of graduates because it is such a special and central place in our campus life. By freeing it up from stage, chairs and other set-ups, graduates and guests can take photos and mingle more freely and comfortably before and after the Congregation. The inconvenience to students in the weeks prior to the Congregation arising from the stage construction work can also be avoided. Every year students complain that they cannot use the Atrium to organize activities for a long period because of the Congregation. We hope that the move will make the Atrium a truly open arena that can be used throughout the year. <= 又是"We"! 在沒有正式的諮詢情況下就假定我們所有人也很介意在Atrium造成一個月的不便, 假定全校同學都不想再因為舉辦畢業禮而產生短短數天的不便! 再者, 在沒有找到更合適的場地前, 根本就不應為了解決那些"問題"而寧願委屈大家改到Sports Hall舉行畢業禮!
I must emphasize that your input and opinions are very welcome and crucial to
making the Congregation a success. Please feel free to contact Dr Steven Kong at
2358-6303 (email: oudpa@ust.hk) or Ms Hester
Chau at 2358-6314 of the Congregation organizing team if there are enquiries.
Thank you very much for your concern, and I look forward to working with you.
Sincerely yours,
Loretta Pang
Director of University Development and Public Affairs