The second CKYC Formal Hall Dinner in Academic Year 2020/2021 was successfully held earlier. Prof. YIP Ming-Chuen, Master of Lui Che Woo College of University of Macau since its founding was invited as the Keynote Speaker. Prof. Michael HUI, Vice Rector (Academic Affairs) and Mr. Paul PANG Chap Chong, Dean of Students were invited as the Guests-of-Honor.
At the start of the dinner, the CKYC Choir sang the College anthem accompanied by the piano, which impressed the audience with their beautiful performance. After the emcees’ introduction of the guests, the College Master, Prof. Janny LEUNG, gave the welcome remarks. Then, Prof. YIP Ming-Chuen delivered a keynote speech, leading the audience through the history and development of the residential colleges in the University of Macau. He introduced the Founding Masters from different Colleges. All of them are icons and role models from academia or the arts. Later, Vice Rector Michael HUI was invited to present certificates for the recipients of “The David and Barbara Pong Founding Master’s Scholarship for Exceptional Contributions to the College” for 2021, to recognize the students’ exceptional contribution to College life at CKYC above and beyond the call of duty.
The woodwind instrument performance by Year One students – Lao Chi Him and Iao Cheng – was given after the toast. They played a song “A little happiness” to set the audience into a cordial mood. After that, the dinner was served with wine – the salmon was cooked perfectly! Near the end of the dinner, CKYC African Drum Team, formed by the college students Xu Zhenfeng, Sun Mei Lam, Chen Pei-ying and our Resident Fellow, Dr. Li Wai Chung, came to the stage and performed the song “Makru”. The passionate rhythm energized the atmosphere to a pinnacle again and again.
The students who participated in this formal dinner came from different cultures and regions. The participants had the opportunity to understand the formal dining etiquette and built up friendship with each other from different backgrounds. During the pandemic last year, the distance between everyone became so isolating that we now learnt to treasure the moment “to be together with each other” and would not take it for granted! Although we are not sure if we will be that brilliant to be a role model in our profession in the future, we will do our best no matter what lies ahead.
Photo: Chan Chi Weng / Lao Kei Chon