The lights glistened over the exquisite table setting, the delicately made-up faces, and the elegant formal dresses …… On March 19, 2021, the first CKYC Formal Hall Dinner in Academic Year 2020/2021 was successfully held. Mr. Lawrence TSUI Po Fung, the Founding Principal of Millennium Secondary School was invited as the Keynote Speaker and Prof. Billy SO, Vice Rector (Student Affairs) of University of Macau was invited as the Guest-of-Honor.
The dinner officially began at 7 p.m. when the procession of robed Fellows and guests entered the Hall. First of all, the CKYC Choir sang the University and College anthems. Their emotive performance set off a warm atmosphere for the dinner. After introducing the guests one by one, the College Master, Prof. Janny LEUNG, gave the welcome remarks. Then, Mr. Lawrence TSUI Po Fung delivered a keynote speech. With his unique insights and profound thoughts, combined with his personal experience, he led the audience on a reminiscent journey of the earliest history of the University of Macau. The audience benefited a lot. After the speech, Master LEUNG presented a souvenir to Mr. TSUI. The next part is the award ceremony for the UM RC Foundation Scholarships. Prof. Billy SO presented certificates to the scholarship recipients for the academic year 2020-2021. Wish them all the best in the new academic year!
After the toast, everyone started to enjoy the dinner: starting with separately ladled vegetable soup, followed by teriyaki chicken and finished with a sweet chocolate cake. During the dinner, Gong Jinqi, a freshman of CKYC, played “Colorful Clouds Chasing the Moon” on the piano, which added a touch of liveliness to the banquet that had been filled with a sense of decorum. At the end of the dinner, everyone talked and took photos of each other to enjoy the night. The dinner came to a successful end amid laughter.
A Formal Hall dinner is not only a good opportunity to understand western culture, cultivate formal social etiquette, foster college spirit, but also a good occasion for academic exchange, broadening horizons, and increase the interaction between students and society. Through such special dining rituals, everyone can feel a sense of belonging in a harmonious and dignified social environment. It is the professor’s sharing or a friend’s smile that can give us a deeper and warmer feeling than the delicious food served.
The gourmet delicacies, moments of beauty, pleasant conversations……Let’s remember this unique night.
Text: ZHENG Hao Photo: Keith CHAN