[Sponsored Article] In celebration of PolyU’s 80th anniversary , a series of celebratory events were held on 25 November 2016 to kick-start the year-long anniversary celebrations. The celebrations began with the International Forum themed “Nurturing Talent and Building Capacity in Supporting the Belt and Road Development”, drawing an audience of 300 from academia, industry and social services for an open discussion on the Belt and Road Initiative. Officiated by the Secretary for Education Mr Eddie Ng, the Forum saw enthusiastic participation by presidents of the global network “University Alliance of the Silk Road” (UASR) which has a membership of 132 universities from 32 countries/regions along the Belt and Road. In another event, some 200 alumni witnessed the grand opening of the PolyU Alumni Atrium, a perfect place for reunion activities. The plaque unveiling ceremony in honour of Ir Dr Otto Poon Lok-to and the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Wong Tit Shing Alumni Common were also held in conjunction with the opening ceremony. A Launch Ceremony held in the evening was graced by the presence of the Chief Secretary for Administration Mrs Carrie Lam and the University Grants Committee Chairman Mr Carlson Tong, together with 800 guests. PolyU’s remarkable accomplishments at home and abroad were recapped during the ceremony. “ A Prelude to the Celebrations ” then followed with the stirring performance of the PolyU Orchestra and the 80th anniversary theme song “ Shape the Future ” premiere by C AllStar and the PolyU Choir. Students from the four institutions of UASR added colours to the occasion with their blissful cultural performances. PolyU students gathered on campus to watch the Launch Ceremony via the webcast on PolyU YouTube. The upcoming anniversary celebrations will include the Times Higher Education Innovation and Impact Summits , a series of international conferences and forums, Nobel Laureate lecture series, celebration events and summit to be held in cities in the Chinese mainland, community events and a finale celebration dinner to be held in end 2017. PolyU 80th anniversary website: www.polyu.edu.hk/80anniversary
