It was a sweltering hot afternoon as Hong Kong Baptist University faculty waited outside for the start of the 47th convocation ceremony. One member (clockwise from top left) resorted to using his cap as a fan while another took the opportunity to make a last-minute call on his mobile. Finally the ceremony was under way and HKBU President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Ng Ching Fai addressed more than 1,300 freshers, several of whom found the ceremony so relaxing they dozed off. Finally, guests - and a small army of photographers - were invited to join Professor Ng, council chairman Moses Cheng, students and staff to help put the finishing touches to a 100-metre-long mural with brightly-coloured symbols depicting the university's development over the past four decades, a project aimed at 'enhancing the environmental awareness of university students and fostering a sense of belonging' organised by the Better Environment Endeavours, Greenies and student union.
